Flora Friday - Dandelion

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Hello all!! Today's Flora Friday feature is the Dandelion!! Dandelions (Taraxacum) are part of a large genus of flowering plants from the Asteraceae family. I have determined that the Dandelion pictured is a Common Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale). The name Dandelion comes from the French Dent-de-lion meaning Lion's Tooth. These flowers are important to bees as the flower for so long so it's best to leave them alone.


Where to find

The genus itself is native to Eurasia and North America but the 2 most common species (the common and red-seeded Dandelion) were introduced into North America from Europe, where they propagate as wildflowers now. 


Edible Parts

Dandelions are edible!! Roots, leaves, buds and flowers can be eaten!!  Raw Dandelion greens which I'm assuming are the leaves are high in vitamins, A, C and K as was as being a source of, calcium, potassium, iron and manganese. They can be used in place of lettuce, boiled, made into a soup or fried. The roots are best harvested in autumn and can be cleaned and dried then, roasted and ground to create a powder for making coffee. However the taste is something to be desired so add something sweet like drinking chocolate to make it bareable. The petals can be used in dishes like risotto. To prepare:

- Clean the flower in cold water
- Cut the head off the stalk
- Peel back the green sepals, freeing the petals

You can also use the petals as a garnish.  The buds can be added to omelettes whilst the flowers can be baked into cakes. Blossoms can be made into wine and the whole plant, before it flowers, can be brewed into beer and let's not forget the ever popular Dandelion and Burdock!! Do not eat this 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

Medicinal uses

Over the years, Dandelion was thought to cure and ease many things, including:

- Stomach and Liver complaints
- Diabetes
- Heart problems
- Anemia
- Respiratory problems
- Tuberculosis (Consumption)
- Toothache
- Broken bones
- Sprains
- Sore eyes
- Cuts
- Nervousness (Anxiety)

Do not substitute Dandelions for ongoing treatment, talk to your doctor before using home remedies.


Magical uses

Dandelions are associated with the element of Air and Spirits of the Wind. Burying or planting Dandelions in the Northwest corner or your property/home is said to bring favourable energies to your household and allow you to draw good luck. The leaves and roots can be used as an incense if burnt to aid clairvoyance and divination abilities. They can be used in:

- Dream work
- Divination
- Spirit communication/summoning
- Aiding psychic development

Dandelions can also be used for:

- Purification
- Wishes
- Healing
- Bringing positivity
- Protection from nightmares


Victorian Flower Language

In Victorian Flower Language, Dandelion means Divination. They are associated with wishes and fortune telling due to the custom of making a wish as you blow on the "puff", this bit 👇🏻.


So next time you think about culling these weeds from your garden, have a think about the plants uses, after all they're here for a reason!!

Do not eat plants that have been sprayed with pesticides or fertilizer. This blog is for educational purposes only. Consult local experts if you're unsure and consult your doctor before trying home remedies.


Look out for next week's instalment 👀


Blessings,

C )0(


👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

Comments

  1. Rose30 July 2021 at 03:43

    Nice article - never knew they had so many uses! ��

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cat Drage8 March 2022 at 03:54

      Thank you for your comment!! Apologies for the late reply, I've only just worked out how to work the comments )0(

      Delete

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