Dandelion

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a deep rooted, hardy perennial flowering herb. It
has a basal rosette of toothed or large deeply pinnately divided leaves. In spring the
plant produces hollow tubular stems that are terminated by large yellow florets. These
later give way to a seed head consisting of a ball of long, ribbed parachute like seeds.
Dandelion is a native of Europe, and commonly found growing wild on grasslands,
gardens, wasteland and nitrogen rich soils. Often dandelion is considered as a 'weed',
especially when found growing in the lawn or vegetable bed. Indeed, the dandelion,
like the nettle, absorbs about three times the amount of iron (Fe) taken up by any other
plant. It will also use it's deep roots to take up copper (Cu) and many other soil
nutrients, making them unavailable for cultivated crops. The dandelion also exudes
ethylene gas, which inhibits the growth of nearby plants, causing them to become
stunted. It can also be a difficult plant to erradicate; it seeds itself freely, and in
addition it's fleshy tap root stores enough energy to regrow vigorously if not
thoroughly removed from the soil. In fact I have heard of a gardener who dug out a
large dandelion root from his soil and nailed it to his shed door. After two years
exposure to wind, sun and frosts, he replanted it, and it regrew as strongly as ever!
However, the dandelion can also be a very useful plant, especially if tolerated in those
parts of the garden where it will not compete with other crops. In fact in France the
dandelion is still cultivated commercially. All parts of the plant are edible- the bitter
leaves are used in salads, the roots can be roasted as a coffee substitute whilst the
flowers are a useful ingredient for spring wine making, traditionally being gathered for
this purpose on a Good Friday. Dandelion also has medicinal uses; it's leaves are a
diuretic (a traditional name is 'piss the bed') that can be used safely whenever such an
action is needed, including in cases of water retention due to heart problems, without
the loss of potassium that can be associated with kidney stimulating medications.
Roots are a liver tonic, promote bile flow, as well as having diuretic, laxative and
anti-rheumatic properties.
Dandelion also has usein the garden as an ingredient for liquid fertiliser; rotted down
in rainwater, the leaves and roots yield the minerals sodium (Na), silicon
(Si),manganese (Mn), calcium (Ca), Potassium (K), phosphorous (P), Iron (Fe) and
copper (Cu).
Category:Plants
Category:Weeds
Category:Medicinal herbs and fungi