Dandelion Herb - Herbal Tea

Dandelion Herb

Dandelion, the bright yellow blight on the lawns of many is more than a pesky, hard to get rid of weed. Dandelion is an herb that is edible and has medicinal value and can even be made into a wine. Native the entire northern hemisphere Dandelion has over 200 species world wide. Dandelion grows low to the ground with large wide leaves, a hallow stem which contains a white milky sap and produces a bright yellow flower head that produces a seed for each ‘peddle’ that falls off and floats in air currents to spread through out the area.

The name Dandelion is derived from the French word for lion’s tooth in reference to the look of the flower. Commonly Dandelion is also referred to as Pissabed from the modern French word pissenlit which means urinate in bed; probably named so for the Dandelion’s effectiveness as a diuretic.

In Canada Dandelion root is a registered drug used primarily as a diuretic. In the United Kingdom you can find a soft drink of Dandelion and Burdock.

Dandelion Tea

Dandelion tea can be prepared by steeping 1 to 2 teaspoons dried Dandelion in 8 ounces of boiling water for 10 minutes.

Dandelion Uses & Herbal Remedies

Dandelion leaves are often eaten in salads and cooked as a pot herb and are close in character to the mustard greens. Dandelion is very high in nutrients.

Dandelion flowers are used to make Dandelion wine as well as Dandelion jam.

Dandelion root can be dried, ground and roasted and used as a substitute for coffee.

The ‘milk’ from the Dandelion stem can be used topically as a treatment to get rid of warts and is said to be an insect repellant.

Dandelion tea is thought to be an excellent daily tonic and has been shown to strengthen and purify the blood and urinary system.

Dandelion Cautions

Avoid the use of Dandelion if you have an inflamed or infected gall bladder or bile ducts.

Some people are allergic to Dandelion and therefore should avoid the use of Dandelion.

Although Dandelion is reported to be safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding caution should be made due to its diuretic effects.