Dandelion in the herb garden? More than a weed
or wish! This plant is a weed to most gardeners. It is
a member of the aster family and is common in meadows, fields
and along country roads. A tubular stem, up to around 8 in. high
and containing a kind of milky sap, grows out of a rosette of jaggedly
toothed leaves. In time the bright yellow blossoms at the tops of
the stems produce the appearance of dandelion clocks – a sphere
of feathery white seeds that are carried hither and beyond by the
wind.
Dandelion roots dug up in the spring are more potent
than those dug up in the fall. The juice of the entire dandelion
plant has blood purifying properties and forms the basis of an
excellent course of treatment for cleaning out the system in the
spring. Dandelion greens are a delicacy on European tables, and some
French have developed varieties with larger leaves. The dandelion’s
beautiful yellow flowers flavor fine wine, and the plant has a long
history of medicinal use for dyspepsia, jaundice, gout, rheumatism,
constipation, fever and insomnia. The juice is also said to treat
warts. According to Geoffrey Burnie, in The
Little Guides:Herbs, “Dig roots in the fall, and
cut or slice them into small pieces, then air dry or roast in the
oven. Use dried, roasted, and ground roots as a caffeine free coffee
substitute..”
David Hoffman wrote, in his book, The
Herbal Handbook: A User’s Guide “The most effective
diuretic is Dandelion Leaf.” Diuretic is a remedy that
increases the secretion and elimination of urine – I would
say waste from the body. It is not recommended for people with severe
kidney conditions.
Dandelion & Bacon Salad
8 oz. Young Dandelion leaves
4 oz. Sliced cooked bacon
1 slice of white bread cubed
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon FHF Lavender Champagne
Vinegar
1 clove of garlic crushed
salt and pepper to taste
Wash and dry the leaves and tear them
into a salad bowl. Make a vinaigrette using the olive
oil and vinegar, and season to taste. Fry the bacon, then
dice and add the bread crumbs and crushed garlic. Pour the
contents of the pan over the Dandelion leaves and add the
oil and vinaigrette, toss and serve at once.
Read our Archived Herb Articles
Coriander, Cilantro,Coriandrum sativum Coriander, Cilantro was our herb of the month in September 2007. CLICK HERE
Lemon Balm,Melissa officinalis Lemon Balm was our herb of the month in August 2007. CLICK HERE
Basil, Ocimum basilicum Basil was our herb of the month in July 2007. CLICK HERE
Epazote,(Chenopodium amborsiodes)
Epazote was our herb of the month in June 2007. CLICK HERE
Sage,(Salvia species)
Sage was our herb of the month in May 2007. CLICK HERE
Lavender Lavender was our herb of the month in April 2007. CLICK HERE
Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis
Our herb of the month in March 2007. CLICK
HERE
Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis
Our herb of the month in February 2007. CLICK
HERE
Tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa
Our herb of the month in January 2007. CLICK
HERE
Ginger, Zingiber officinale
Our herb of the month in November 2006. CLICK
HERE
Chamomile, Roman or German Chamaemelum nobile or Matricaria recutita
Our herb of the month in October 2006. CLICK
HERE
Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus
Our herb of the month in September 2006. CLICK
HERE
Horsetail, Equisetum arvense
Our herb of the month in August 2006. CLICK
HERE
Cayenne,Capsicum frutescens
Our herb of the month in June 2006. CLICK
HERE
Lemon Verbena, Lippia citriodoro
Our herb of the month in May 2006 . CLICK
HERE
Scented
Geranium,(Pelargonium
species)
Our herb of the month in April 2006 and Herb of the Year 2006 . CLICK
HERE
Mexican Mint Marigold, (Tagetes Lucida)
Our herb of the month in March 2006. CLICK
HERE
Rose, Rosa Species Revisit Rose, our herb of the month in February 2005.CLICK
HERE
Sweet Bay, (Grecian Laurel)
Laurus nobilis
Our herb of the month in January 2006. CLICK
HERE
Herbs of the Bible
Our herb of the month in Decembers 2005. CLICK
HERE
Sage, (Salvia species)
Sage was our herb of the month in November 2005. CLICK
HERE
Lemongrass, (Cymbopogon citratus)Tender perennial Lemongrass was our herb of the month in October 2005. CLICK
HERE
Dandelion, Taraxacum
officinale Dandelion was our herb of the month in September 2005. CLICK
HERE
Borage, Borago officinalis Borage was our herb of the month in August 2005. CLICK
HERE
Basil,Ocimum basilicum Basil was our herb of the month in July 2005. CLICK HERE
Scented Geranium,
Pelargonium
species Parsley was our herb of the month in May/June 2005. CLICK
HERE
Parsley, Petroselinum
sativum Parsley was our herb of the month in March/April
2005. CLICK
HERE
Rose, Rosa Species Rose was our herb of the month in February 2005. CLICK
HERE
Arugula, Roquette, Eruca vesiceria sub, sativa Arugula was our herb of the month in January 2005.
CLICK
HERE
Calendula, Pot Marigold, Calendula officinalis Calendula was our herb of the month in December 2004.
CLICK
HERE
Winter Savory, Satureja
Montana Winter Savory was our herb of the month in November
2004. CLICK
HERE
Coriander, Cilantro, Coriandrum sativum Echinacea was our herb of the month in October 2004.
CLICK
HERE
Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) Echinacea was our herb of the month in September
2004. CLICK
HERE
Lemon Verbena Mint was our herb of the month in August 2004. CLICK HERE
Mint Mint was our herb of the month in July 2004. CLICK HERE
Hoja Santum Hoja Santum was our herb of the month in June 2004. CLICK
HERE
Lavender Lavender was our herb of the month in May 2004. CLICK HERE
Thyme Thyme was our herb of the month in April 2004. CLICK HERE
Oregano Oregano was our herb of the month in October 2003.
CLICK
HERE
Peppermint Ideas Peppermint was our herb of the month in August 2003.
Our readers sent in these ideas on how they use peppermint. CLICK HERE
