Post by sam on Feb 22, 2006 5:52:40 GMT -5
Latin name – Taraxacum Officinal
Also known as: Blowball, Cankerwort, Lion’s Tooth, Priest’s Crown, Swine’s Snout and Wild Endive.
Dandelion is a perennial plant and is normally looked upon as a troublesome weed, but what most don’t realise is that it has many healing, culinary and domestic uses. The first mention of dandelion being used as a medicine dates from when 10th and 11th century Arabian physicians used it and it is first mentioned in the British Isles in Welsh medicines of the 13th century. The name dandelion comes from the French “dent de lion” or lion’s tooth, which is a reference to the toothed edges of its leaves.
It is a general stimulant to the system, but especially to the urinary organs and is chiefly used in kidney and liver disorders. Dandelion is used as a bitter tonic in dyspepsia and as a mild laxative in constipation. It can also be used for appetite loss, indigestion, gallbladder problems and urinary tract infections. In folk medicine dandelion is also used as a remedy for piles, gout, rheumatism, eczema and other skin conditions and diabetes. Dandelion has also shown to be a diuretic (flushes excess water from the body) and also promotes the flow of bile. Avoid dandelion though if you have an obstruction of the bowel or bile duct, and also check with your GP before using it if you have any type of gallbladder problem. Chances of anyone being allergic to dandelion are slim but it has been known to cause heartburn.
Dried dandelion leaves are used as an ingredient in many digestive or diet drinks and herb beers and in the county of Worcestershire the flowers are used in the preparation of Dandelion Wine, which has the reputation of being an excellent tonic, which is extremely good for the blood. It is also believed that the fresh juice of the stem can remove warts and corns, but it must be applied every day for several weeks for the wart/corn to drop off, which is very painless.
In magic dandelion is a masculine plant and is connected to the planet of Jupiter and the Element of Air. The whole plant can be used for sleep protection and in healing spells, and can also be sued in divination and speaking to spirits.
Also known as: Blowball, Cankerwort, Lion’s Tooth, Priest’s Crown, Swine’s Snout and Wild Endive.
Dandelion is a perennial plant and is normally looked upon as a troublesome weed, but what most don’t realise is that it has many healing, culinary and domestic uses. The first mention of dandelion being used as a medicine dates from when 10th and 11th century Arabian physicians used it and it is first mentioned in the British Isles in Welsh medicines of the 13th century. The name dandelion comes from the French “dent de lion” or lion’s tooth, which is a reference to the toothed edges of its leaves.
It is a general stimulant to the system, but especially to the urinary organs and is chiefly used in kidney and liver disorders. Dandelion is used as a bitter tonic in dyspepsia and as a mild laxative in constipation. It can also be used for appetite loss, indigestion, gallbladder problems and urinary tract infections. In folk medicine dandelion is also used as a remedy for piles, gout, rheumatism, eczema and other skin conditions and diabetes. Dandelion has also shown to be a diuretic (flushes excess water from the body) and also promotes the flow of bile. Avoid dandelion though if you have an obstruction of the bowel or bile duct, and also check with your GP before using it if you have any type of gallbladder problem. Chances of anyone being allergic to dandelion are slim but it has been known to cause heartburn.
Dried dandelion leaves are used as an ingredient in many digestive or diet drinks and herb beers and in the county of Worcestershire the flowers are used in the preparation of Dandelion Wine, which has the reputation of being an excellent tonic, which is extremely good for the blood. It is also believed that the fresh juice of the stem can remove warts and corns, but it must be applied every day for several weeks for the wart/corn to drop off, which is very painless.
In magic dandelion is a masculine plant and is connected to the planet of Jupiter and the Element of Air. The whole plant can be used for sleep protection and in healing spells, and can also be sued in divination and speaking to spirits.