Dandelion

The Dandelion is native to Asia, Africa and Europe. However, it has spread all over the globe with the help of man. It grows in sunny and semi-shady places, in damp and marshy areas. But actually everywhere. Therefore, the Dandelion is a familiar sight in gardens, parks, along highways, between paving stones, along walls and along railways, in short, on every piece of land there is. The Dandelion is a member of the Aster family (composites). The petals consist of yellow ribbon flowers. The leaves are serrated, deeply incised and grow from the base of the plant. The flower stem has no leaves, but does have white juice that is called dandelion juice. The Dandelion has two ways of spreading: via the deep and very fragile taproot and via the seeds that are attached to Dandelion pollen (pappus). This way, the wind spreads the seeds very far.

The Dandelion contains various very healthy, useful and medicinal substances such as: Tannin, Choline, Inulin and bitter substances. It also contains vitamins such as: A, B2, C and D. And minerals such as: calcium, iron, potassium, manganese, silicon and sulphur. The milk juice contains: resin, proteins and taxatine. Dandelion is used in herbal medicine for treating gall and kidney ailments. It relieves the stomach and liver and has a mild diuretic effect. Eating the leaves can also help against rheumatic ailments such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, etc. The dandelion also stimulates the appetite. The milk juice can be used against warts and pimples. To do so, the wart or pimple should be dabbed with the juice. The dried, roasted and finely ground roots of the Dandelion can be used as a substitute for coffee. The Dandelion is used in China against acne, abscesses, boils and suppurative and chronic skin conditions. Ingestion of plant extracts may cause allergic reactions in sensitive persons. Contact with the plant may cause contact eczema. Dandelion is edible. We eat the leaves of this plant, but the petals can also be eaten. The young leaf is less bitter and is also called mole lettuce. It is a very popular and healthy spring vegetable. The petals can only be eaten if they have not shot into seed. The Dandelion is in herbal medicine a much used plant for gall and kidney disorders. A decoction (tincture) of the roots or freshly squeezed juice of the roots is used. This can also be used against arthritis. The roots and the leaves are also used to stimulate the appetite. The milk juice can be used against pimples and warts. The flowers are used to make jam, soda or syrup. Dandelion is also a well-known medicine for sheep, goats and cows. Dandelion is also called mole lettuce and horse lettuce. It is also called dog tongue, dog flower, piss flower, woodlouse, milkweed and hynsteblom.

Dandelion is a good whole food especially in spring as it contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals. It is considered to be a good spring cleanser and to support a detox cure.  It can be used against dry eczema. A decoction (mother tincture) can be made from the dried and finely ground root of the Dandelion.  The leaves and flowers can also be used to make a very healthy and cleansing herbal tea.


Take care! When taking very large quantities, Dandelion can cause intestine and stomach problems and cardiac arrhythmia. The juice of the stems can lead to irritation of the skin.

It flowers from March to May and from September to November. During flowering, the flowers are much visited by bees, butterflies and other useful insects. Hardy perennial plant. Height: 10 - 50 cm.