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Dandelion, Taraxacum, Mosquito Repellent and Cleansing Tonic

By Viola Woolcott

The dandelion being native to Europe and Asia has spread to many other places. It is a shorter plant, that is also known by its genera name Taraxacum - derived from the Greek taraxos (disorder), and akos (remedy). Usually the plant has a yellow flower head that consists of many tiny flowers and notched leaves.

To the common person, gardeners and lawn owners dandelions are considered as a pest or weed, although the plant has several culinary as well as medical uses. Commercially plants are also grown as a leaf vegetable.

Most likely being closest to mustard greens in character, they also have a slightly bitter taste in their raw form. Dandelions can be eaten in various cooked as well as in raw forms i.e. soups or salads. The young leaves as well as the unopened buds can be eaten in raw salads and are often accompanied with hard-boiled eggs and they also make delicious sandwiches. Try laying the young and tender leaves between slices of bread and butter, sprinkle with salt and try adding a little lemon-juice and pepper to vary the flavour. In order to keep the flavour, the leaves should always be torn to pieces, rather than cut. It is recommended that the older leaves be better consumed cooked or not eaten at all, as for their bitter taste.

The flowers can be used to make dandelion wine (which also contains citrus fruit), which you must try. Or have you ever tried dandelion jam? It is delicious! As a substitute for coffee, ground roasted dandelion root can be used and it is believed that drunk before meals stimulates digestive functions. It is a general stimulant to the system, especially to the urinary tract, for the kidneys and is also considered as an excellent cleansing tonic for liver disorders. It is sold in most health food stores, but make sure it is organic and in unbleached teabags.

A dye can be obtained from the dandelion root, and in Canada dandelion root is a registered drug which is sold as a diuretic. It can be drunk to purify the blood, treat anemia, jaundice, and has been used for nervousness. The “sticky” milk in the stem has been used as a mosquito repellent and also applied in the treatment of warts, in aid not to damage the surrounding skin.

For habitual constipation, where the stomach is irritated and where active treatment may be harmful, the extract is given 3-4 times during the day and it will very often prove to be a valuable remedy as the plant also acts as a mild laxative. In atonic dispepsia the plant is used as a bitter tonic. Dandelion has good effects in the support of “growing” appetite as well as in the promotion of digestion.

The leaves carry more iron and calcium than spinach or milk and are also high in Vitamin A, B, C & E, fibre, magnesium and potassium. Dandelion also contains beta-carotene and the antioxidant Luteolin which has demonstrated antioxidant properties without cytotoxicity.

Filed under: Health and Diet on November 28th, 2007