Taraxacum officinale is a plant from 2 to 6 inches or more with single yellow or orange rosette growing from a central taproot. The flowers are open during the day, and closed at night. When broken, the stem exudes a white, milky latex. Mature heads turn white, and disperse in the wind It is high in vitamins A, B, C, and D, and in minerals such as iron, potassium, and zinc.
Dandelion found in the Caribbean, Senna occidentalis, aka piss-a-bed, wild coffee, and stinking weed, is used in the same manner.
WHERE IT CAN BE FOUND:
Throughout Europe, Asia, India, New Zealand, Australia, Southern Africa, the Americas
PROPERTIES AND USE:
Diuretic, laxative, hypotensive, digestive, blood tonic, alterative, anti-inflammatory. Used to treat warts, anorexia, gall bladder and liver issues, nausea, poor lactation, diabetes, eye infection, heartburn, kidney infection, diarrhea.
TRADITIONAL PREPARATION:
To make an infusion, pour 3 cups boiling water over 8 fresh dandelion heads or 2 tablespoons dried. Steep for 5 minutes. Sip throughout the day. For a liver tonic and to treat systemic inflammation, make dandelion "coffee" by roasting over low heat 4 tablespoons minced taproots that have been freshly harvested. When they begin to smell nutty, remove from heat. The longer you roast the roots, the "stronger your coffee" will be. You may also perform this step by placing them on a baking sheet and baking for three hours at 150 degrees F. Use the roasted roots as you would coffee.
DANDELION TONIC Makes about 2 cups
You will need a juicer for this recipe, which is excellent for cleansing.
INGREDIENTS:
3 cups dandelion root 10 carrots
6 Granny Smith apples
INSTRUCTIONS:
¥ Juice the items, and then stir well to combine.
¥ Chill for 1 hour, and then stir again before serving.
USE:
Drink room temperature or chilled. To treat colds, flu, and congestion, add 1 clove garlic or ]lz teaspoon cayenne pepper. Sip throughout the day.
