Herb of the Month: Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Description: The leaves grow in a rosette from a taproot that can reach up to two feet long. A hollow stem emerges with the bud, which opens into the yellow disk of the dandelion flower. Seeds with white parachutes emerge soon after, to scatter on the wind. Dandelions grow easily from seeds.
They prefer moist to dry soil, in full sun.
Culinary: All parts of the dandelion are edible. Young leaves can be added to salads as a green. Older leaves can be cooked like other green leafy vegetables. The roots can be roasted and ground for a coffee substitute. Flowers can be eaten raw, cooked, or made into wine.
Medicinal: Dandelions are highly diuretic, and therapeutic for liver & urinary tract. They are also full of vitamins and minerals. In Chinese medicine, they are used to treat abscesses, mastitis and other infections.
More about Dandelion:
• The blossoms of dandelions are actually made up of many tiny individual flowers.
• Dandelions have been discovered in some of the most ancient archeological finds.
• Fertility charms often used to contain dandelion
They prefer moist to dry soil, in full sun.
Culinary: All parts of the dandelion are edible. Young leaves can be added to salads as a green. Older leaves can be cooked like other green leafy vegetables. The roots can be roasted and ground for a coffee substitute. Flowers can be eaten raw, cooked, or made into wine.
Medicinal: Dandelions are highly diuretic, and therapeutic for liver & urinary tract. They are also full of vitamins and minerals. In Chinese medicine, they are used to treat abscesses, mastitis and other infections.
More about Dandelion:
• The blossoms of dandelions are actually made up of many tiny individual flowers.
• Dandelions have been discovered in some of the most ancient archeological finds.
• Fertility charms often used to contain dandelion