Its Dandelion time, first up on this runway
Herbal medicine is a doorway to the interconnection of our bodies with our landscape, and its practice is approachable and highly enjoyable.
Benefits and Uses of early spring plants a beginners guide to Micro nutrients , Minerals and Vitamin's.
Dandelion never ceases to amaze me. My anticipation grows as I begin to see the leaves show at the onset of very early indications of spring.
The veins display a slight hint of red at the base and the leaves form a basal rosette laying flattened to the ground, avoiding any possibility of being mowed by the enthusiastic "neat and manicured" home owner / gardener or lawn service.
We will begin our journey with Dandelion at the leaves. Keep up with the blog for more on the whole plant, piece by piece.
Liver Cleansing Pesto using leaves.
Gathering the leaves of the dandelion in this early spring growing time yield's the most benefit for flushing the liver into a awakened vibrant state after a long sluggish winter.
How to:::
Gather a colander full of fresh picked leaves. (I don't wash the leaves, this is a personal preference) I gather on pristine land.
Add 2-4 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tbs Lemon juice
Pulse blend until a nice consistency of pesto
Some like to add pine nuts and parmesan. Your refrigerated life of this pesto will be shortened if you add these two ingredients. Add them instead at the time of serving.
Use as a dip with crackers or on top of a pasta dish. The slight bitter will create the saliva to become active, which in turn wakes up the Hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which in turn helps with digestion and absorption of minerals, vitamin's and essential nutrients only found in foraged greens.
Be aware Dandelion leaf will help to clear the colon, it is not a laxative per say but will soften the stool and allow for a good clean out. Spring cleaning time!
DANDELION - Taraxacum Officinale Taxonomy
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) may be distinguished from other similar-looking herbs by the hollow, leafless flower stems that contain a bitter milky-white liquid also found in the root and leaves. The dark green dandelion leaves, with their irregular, deeply jagged margins, have a distinctive hairless mid-rib. The leaves are arranged in a rosette pattern, and may grow to 1.5 ft (45.7 cm) in length. They have a lovely magenta tint that extends up along the inner rib of the stalkless leaf. When the plant is used as a dye, it yields this purple hue.
A persistent perennial of lawns and gardens and one of the best-known medicinal herbs in the world. All parts - the root, the leaves, the flowers, even the flower stalk - strengthen the liver. A dose of 10-20 drops of the tincture (0.5-1 ml)relieves gas, heartburn, and indigestion, as well as promoting healthy bowel movements.
More importantly, taken before meals, dandelion increases the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, thus increasing bio- availability of many nutrients, especially calcium. And the oil of the flowers is an important massage balm for maintaining healthy
breasts.
The leaves are more nutritious than anything you can buy. They're higher in beta-carotene than carrots. The iron and calcium content is phenomenal, greater than spinach. You also get vitamins B-1, B-2, B-5, B-6, B-12, C, E, P (flavanoids or bioflavanoids )(not actually a Vitamin, a group of plant-based substances.) When you’re eating a salad with colorful plant foods, you’re getting a dose of vitamin P. also contains D and biotin (Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that's a part of the vitamin B family. It's also known as vitamin H. Your body needs biotin to help convert certain nutrients into energy. It also plays an important role in the health of your hair, skin, and nails.), inositol, (Inositol is a carbohydrate that is found naturally in your body and certain foods. It plays many roles in your body, including affecting levels of neurotransmitters and the way your body handles glucose. It may be effective in improving some anxiety disorders and your body's sensitivity to insulin) it also contains potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc by using a tasty, free vegetable that grows on virtually every lawn. The root & leaves contains the sugar inulin, plus many medicinal substances. Inulin can help foster and diversify healthy gut bacteria that can affect many areas of health such as digestion and the immune system.
Flower
The flowers are high in vitamin C, beta carotene and other nutrients. Dandelion tea can be made by packing fresh flowers and leaves into a mason jar and pouring simmering water over them. Let the tea infuse until it's cool enough to drink then strain.The flowers are sweet and crunchy, and can be eaten raw, or breaded and fried, or even used to make dandelion syrup or wine.