Dandelion - Taraxacum officinale

I often wonder at what point in time this plant with it's bright beautiful happy yellow flowers became such an eyesore. I mean.. to the point where once that pretty little flower shows it's face in the vast sea of green grass, all hell breaks loose as the pursuit of killing it off with poisons begins. 

It really is harmless. And dandelion infused oil, to me, if you could capture sunshine and summertime, put them in a jar and solar infuse them together, that is what it would smell like. 👌

Parts used: root, leaves, flowers, milky sap 

Medicinal properties:  

Root 
Diuretic - causing increased passing of urine.
Nutritive  - providing nourishment, nutritious.
Choleretic - increases the volume of secretion of bile from the liver as well as the amount of solids secreted.
Cholagogue - promotes the discharge of bile from the system, purging it downward.
Alterative -  gradually restores the proper function of the body and increase health and vitality.

Flowers, leaves 
Diuretic - causing increased passing of urine.
Nutritive  - providing nourishment, nutritious.  
Alterative -  gradually restores the proper function of the body and increase health and vitalitity.   
                          
Medical studies have shown that some doctors have their breast cancer patients use dandelion infused oil as a breast massage oil in conjunction with their other treatments. The oil, when massaged into the breast and under arm areas promotes softening of the fibrous breast tissue and also aides in breaking up and releasing toxins from the lymph nodes. This is something that everyone could benefit from. 

Massaging the oil into your temples, neck and shoulders helps with tension and sinus headaches. Also for soothing sore muscles, diaper rash, dry hands and dry cracked lips. The milky substance found in the stem helps as a wort remover. Just break open the stem and rub the inside liquid on your wort. This has to be reapplied several times before any improvement.

dandelion flowers infusing in extra virgin olive oil

The oil can be soothing for eczema, psoriasis, minor burns, minor wounds and rashes. Dandelion root and or the flowers can be helpful for acne. Simmer the flowers or the roots in water for about an hour then strain. Use that liquid to wash your face. You can also squeeze the milky liquid from the stems of the plant and dab that on the areas of your body that has the acne.

The roots - it's best to harvest in the fall, particularly after a good rain as this helps to pull the roots up and out of the ground easier. Also, those medicinal properties from the above the ground parts of the plant are being sent to the roots. 👍 The roots can be used fresh or dried for making teas, tinctures, decoctions and dandelion root vinegar. These herbals can be used for digestive issues, gull bladder issues, a detox for the liver, bacterial infections in your digestive tract, reproductive organs and also cancers. 

The fresh flowers and leaves are not only delicious tossed in with other salad greens but are a powerhouse of nutrients. One cup of chopped dandelion greens (55 grams) contains approximately:

24.7 calories
5.1 grams carbohydrates
1.5 grams protein
0.4 gram fat
1.9 grams fiber
428 micrograms vitamin K (535 percent DV)
5,588 international units vitamin A (112 percent DV)
19.3 milligrams vitamin C (32 percent DV)
103 milligrams calcium (10 percent DV)
1.7 milligrams iron (9 percent DV)
1.9 milligrams vitamin E (9 percent DV)
0.2 milligram manganese (9 percent DV)

Dandelion greens also contain a small amount of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and copper. Resource - Dr. Axe

This link here; https://www.cancertutor.com/dandelionroot/  will take you to another site that has valuable information on the treatment of cancer using dandelion.  

For more information on dandelion root, click here.
For information on preparing dandelion root tincture, click here 
 
***  I just recently discovered that there is a correlation with dandelion and latex allergy. 

Dandelion contains latex. If you are allergic to latex be sure to do your research before using any products containing dandelion. That's any and all parts of the dandelion.

I can say from experience that this is definitely something to take serious. I'm allergic to latex. I've been using dandelion medicine for years, both internally and topically, with no problems at all. Several months ago I began experiencing allergy related symptoms. After learning about the correlation between dandelion and latex it now makes sense as to what has been going on with my body. 

So for me, I'm sad that I will not be able to use dandelion medicine anymore. At least for now. However, I am very thankful to have received this knowledge.

One more thing to add in regards to latex allergy. There is also a correlation between latex and certain fruits, vegetables and other medicinal plants. Be sure to check that out. Two of the food biggies are bananas and avocados. Medicinal plant - wild lettuce; Lactuca virosa    
  

Chicory ~ Cichorium intybus

Chicory has a long tradition of use. Historically it was grown by the ancient Egyptians as a medicinal plant, coffee substitute, vegetable crop and was occasionally used for animal forage. 


Medicinal properties: antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, nutritive, diuretic, antiseptic

Parts used: leaves, flowers and roots

Benefits: liver health, disgestive health, detoxify, calm the nerves, regulate the heartbeat, treat osteoarthritis, gout, diabetes, coffee substitute, flower essence.

Chicory root contains several potent, aromatic, active properties that can be utilized through an herbal tincture and or drinking chicory root coffee. The roots are at their peak of medicinal benefits when harvested in the fall. If you do not wish to go through the process of harvesting you can purchase the dried roots for making your tinctures and or coffee. You can also purchase ground, preroasted chicory coffee.  👍   

Inulin - an excellent prebiotic that feeds and strengthens the gut colony of healthy bacteria. Chicory root contains as much as 8% inulin, which is converted in the gut, fist into short-chain fatty acids, then into ketones that nourish colon cells and produce hormones that control appetite. 

Lactones - digestive bitters, potent volatile oils; they are strong anti-parasite, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory.

Mannitol - a sugar that paradoxically supports oral health, prevents dental caries, tooth decay and cavities. But mannitol also helps stabilize blood sugar and insulin. 

Polyphenols - powerful antioxidants; support gut health, help prevent cardiovascular diseases, cancer, osteoporosis and many other. 

Lactucin - a bitter substance with a mild sedative, calming effect; it also slightly reduces pain, lowers cholesterol, and is antibacterial.
Reference 

I came across some interesting, but limited, articles on how chicory juice made from the flowers and roots strengthen the prostate and reproductive organs and has also been used in treating cancer of the uterus. Again, those articles are limited. If you have any additional information, especially regarding prostate health, I would appreciate if you shared via an email or through my Instagram account.
Reference
Reference

photo credit; An Italian in my Kitchen https://anitalianinmykitchen.com/sauteed-chicory/

Chicory greens and flowers are a good source of Thiamin, Niacin, Zinc, dietary fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Copper and Manganese. Source

The young leaves are gathered in the early spring and are cooked alone or mixed with other greens; such as spinach and or turnip greens. You can harvest the leaves throughout the year, however, once the heat sets in the leaves have a tendency to become tougher. 

Chicory is a digestive bitter. Bitter herbs and foods stimulate saliva from the salivary glands, bile in the liver and gallbladder and enzymes in the stomach and small intestine. These actions improve the breaking down of food and allows for better absorption of nutrients as well as improve overall liver and gallbladder function and health. 

Other foods that are considered bitters;  
artichoke 
arugula
brussels sprouts
kale
egg plant
dark chocolate
citrus fruits. 

Herbs that are considered bitters; 
Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale 
Goldenseal, Hydrastis canadensis 
Milk Thistle, Silybum marianum 
Peppermint, Mentha piperita 
Wormwood, Artemisia absinthium 
Yarrow, Achilles millefolium


Chicory also shares emotional and mental healing within her beautiful blue flowers via flower essences. Click here
for more information.

Chicory might lower blood sugar and may interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Be sure to talk with your doctor.

Chicory stimulates the production of bile. This could be a problem for people with gallstones. Be sure to with your doctor before using. chicory 

Dandelion Root - Taraxacum officinale

Such a beautiful plant with so much to offer health wise. All parts - flowers, stems, leaves and roots can be used to make medicine.

With the temperatures dipping into the 30's over night, the medicinal properties from the above the ground parts of the plant are being sent to the roots, making this a good time of the year to harvest those roots! These beauties will be made into a tincture that will be used to support liver health. 💪

It’s fascinating the amount of functions the liver is responsible for - and when any of those functions are compromised there can be an array of health issues that begin to manifest. One of those functions is producing bile.

In brief, bile, a digestive juice produced by the liver, travels from the liver to the gallbladder where it is stored. When we eat, the gallbladder releases bile into the small intestine where it then begins to break down and prepare the foods for further digestion and absorption by the body.

If the liver is not working properly, sometimes this is referred to as a sluggish liver, bile production can become compromised and those health issues will begin to manifest.

Dandelion root helps by stimulating a sluggish liver thus improving bile production.

So that means a healthy bile producing liver makes for a happy digestive system as well as a healthier gallbladder. 🥰

This is just one example of how dandelion root can benefit the liver. Be sure to learn more about the medicinal benefits. If you do you’ll discover how it also works on the gallbladder and pancreas.
 
For instructions on making tinctures click here → Herbal Preparations 
 

Be sure to check for any drug interactions before using dandelion root. 🌺  


***  I just recently discovered that there is a correlation with dandelion and latex allergy. 

Dandelion contains latex. If you are allergic to latex be sure to do your research before using any products containing dandelion. That's any and all parts of the dandelion.

I can say from experience that this is definitely something to take serious. I'm allergic to latex. I've been using dandelion medicine for years, both internally and topically, with no problems at all. Several months ago I began experiencing allergy related symptoms. After learning about the correlation between dandelion and latex it now makes sense as to what has been going on with my body. 

So for me, I'm sad that I will not be able to use dandelion medicine anymore. At least for now. However, I am very thankful to have received this knowledge. Now I will begin to address the root cause as to why my immune system over reacts to certain plants thus causing the symptoms I have been experiencing. 

One more thing to add in regards to latex allergy. There is also a correlation between latex and certain fruits and vegetables and other medicinal plants. Be sure to check that out. Two of the food biggies are bananas and avocados. Medicinal plant - wild lettuce; Lactuca virosa