The humble Dandelion has been celebrated for centuries as a powerful medicine and nutrition source. Learn here how to harvest and utilize one of Nature's finest plants.
Magickal Properties:
Gender: MasculinePlanet: Jupiter
Element: Air
Deity: Hecate, Brighid (Brigit, Brigid, Bride, etc),Belenos
Power: Divination, Wishes, Messenger
Astrological: Primary - Pisces, Sagittarius; Secondary - Aquarius, Sagittarius, Libra
Magical Benefits:
According to Scott Cunningham, author of over thirty books on herbs and Wicca, Dandelion is said to increase psychic abilities when taken as a tea. A tea of the roots left steaming and placed beside the bed will call spirits . Dandelion buried in the northwest corner of the house will bring favorable winds.Other magical folklore surrounding the Dandelion includes blowing the seeds off a ripened head to carry your thoughts (or magical energies) to another; Love revelation (blowing all the seeds off with one blow indicates passionate love, seeds remaining indicates the love is fickle) and how many children you will have (the number of seeds left on the head after one blow).
History and Etymology
Dandelion comes from the French ‘Dens Leonis’ which eventually migrated into Middle English as ‘Dent De Lion’ or ‘Lions Tooth’. The name perhaps conferred from the observation of their mature leaves which are sharply indented and toothsome in appearance. This bright, yellow bloom often comes as one of the first indicators of spring, and is believed to have been brought over by the Europeans and cultivated originally for both its medicinal and nutritive properties, although some evidence exists that native cultures indigenous to the Americas prior to the arrival of the settlers.Notable herbalist Gregory Tilford has said, "Dandelion is one of the most complete plant foods on earth. All the vital nutrients are conveniently contained in a single source, in quantities that the body can easily process and fully absorb."
What makes it so nutritious?
Dandelions are packed with biologically active substances which help the body use them more effectively. Over sixty-four nutrients and health-promoting substances have been identified as present in Dandelions. They contain more beta-carotene than carrots, more potassium than bananas, more lecithin than soybeans, more iron than spinach, and loads of Vitamins A, C, E, thiamin and riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. All these nutrients make Dandelions an effective liver tonic, blood purifier, anemia arrester, vision improver, reducer of cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and a host of other things.Its scientific name, Taraxacum officinale, translated from Latin, means "official remedy for disorders."
Cultivation
Because the Dandelion is considered a common weed and generally hated by suburban America, be absolutely certain to pick only from places that have not been sprayed with pesticides or chemicals which will be absorbed by the plant rendering it toxic.Leaves
The younger the plant is, whether head, leaves or root, the better it will taste. Dandelions are naturally on the bitter side (not unlike the taste of Endive) which makes them a superb choice for blending with other salad greens and topping with a wine vinaigrette dressing. They will be less bitter in early spring just before they flower, and in late fall when they have finished.Roots
Late in the fall is the optimum time to harvest dandelion roots as this is the mature phase of the plant and when they will be at their biggest. Clean the roots well and let them dry for a few days. After most of the moisture has been allowed to evaporate and they have begun to shrink down in size, lightly roast them at about 200-250 degrees for 2-3 hours or until they are dry and brown, and smell like coffee. The roots can then be ground down to make a delicious coffee substitute, health tonic or used as a magical tincture.Magical Uses
Brew equal amounts of coffee grounds and roasted Dandelion root. Steep for an hour and use before vision question, astral travel or meditation.A final word about foraging for dandelions in general - they will absorb pesticides and pollutants if they are growing in contaminated areas. Stay well back from roadsides and other questionable areas.