Dandelion herb and Dandelion root

Dandelion is one of nature's great medicines and it really proves that a weed is only a plant out of place! It is in fact one of the most useful of herbs. It has become naturalized throughout the temperate regions of the world and flourishes on nitrogen-rich soils in any situation to a height of 2,000m (6,500ft).There is no satisfactory explanation why it is called Dandelion, Dents Lioness, Tooth of the Lion in medieval Latin, and Dent de Lion in French. The lion's tooth may be the tap root, the jagged leaf or the parts of the flower. The Arabs promoted its use in the 11th century. By the 16th it was well established as an official drug. The apothecaries knew it as Herba taraxaco or Herba urinari, and Culpeper called it Piss-a-beds, all referring to its diureti qualities.

Species

Taraxacum officinale

Dandelion

Perennial. Ht 15-23cm (6- 9in). Large, brilliant yellow flowers 5cm (2in) wide, spring to autumn. The flower heads as they turn to seed form a fluffy ball (dandelion clock). Leaves oblong with a jagged edge.

Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin

Russian dandelion

Perennial. Ht 30cm (12in). Similar to the above. Extensively cultivated during the Second World War: latex was extracted from the roots as a source of rubber.

Taraxacum mongolicum

Chinese dandelion

Perennial. Ht 25-30cm (10- 12in). Similar to the above.  Used to treat inlet lions, particularly mastitis.

Cultivation

Propagation

Seed

Grow as an annual to prevent bitterness developing in the plant. Sow seed in spring on the surface of pots or plug trays. Do not uses seed trays as the long tap root makes it difficult to prick out? Cover with a fine layer of Perlite. Germination will be in 3-6 weeks, depending on seed freshness and air temperature. Plant out when large enough to handle.

Root

Sections of the root can be cut and put in pots, seed or plug trays. Each piece will sprout again, just like comfrey.

Pests and Diseases

Dandelion is rarely attacked by either pest or disease.

Maintenance

Spring: Sow seeds for use as an autumn salad herb.

Summer: Continually pick off the flower buds if you are growing dandelion as a salad crop.

Autumn: I'm an up-turned flower pot over some of the plants lo blanch them for autumn salads. Sow seed for spring salad crop.

Winter: No protection is needed. For salad crops, if temperatures fall below -10°C (15°F), cover with agricultural fleece or 8cm (3in) of straw or bracken to keep the leaves sweet.

Garden cultivation

If the dandelion was a rare plant, it would be thought as a highly desirable garden species, for the flowers are most attractive, sweet smelling and a brilliant yellow, and then form the delightful pull balls. Up to that point all is fine. Hut then the wind disperses the seed all over the garden. And it is very difficult to eradicate when established since every bit of root left behind produces another plant. So, it finds no favor at all with gardeners. In general, details on how to grow dandelions are superfluous. Most people only want to know how to get rid of them. The easiest time to dig up the plants completely is in the early spring.

Harvest

Pick leaves as required to use fresh, and flowers for wine as soon as they open fully. Dig up roots in autumn for drying.

Container growing

Dandelions do look attractive growing in containers, especially in window boxes, if you can stand neighbors' remarks. But in all seriousness the containers will need to be deep to accommodate the long tap root.

Culinary

Both the leaves and root have long been eaten as a highly nutritious salad. In the last century, cultivated forms with large leaves were developed as an autumn and spring vegetable. The leaves were usually blanched in the same way as endive. Dandelion salad in spring is also considered a blood cleanser owing to its diuretic and digestive qualities. The leaves are very high in Vitamins A, B, C and D, the A content being higher than that of carrots. The flowers make an excellent country wine and dandelion roots provide, when dried, chopped and roasted, the best known coffee substitute.

Dandelion and Bacon Salad

Serves 4

225g/8oz young dandelion leaves

100g/4oz streaky baron, diced lcm/1/2in slice white bread, cubed

4 tablespoons olive or walnut oil

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

1 clove garlic, crushed salt and freshly ground pepper oil for cooking

Wash and dry the leaves and tear into the salad bowl. Make a vinaigrette using olive oil and vinegar, and season to taste, adding a little sugar if desired. Fry the bacon, crushed garlic and bread in oil until golden brown. Pour the contents of the pan over the leaves and turn the leaves until thoroughly coated. Add the vinaigrette and toss again and serve soon after making.

Medicinal

It is one of the most useful medicinal plants, as all parts are effective and safe to use. It is regarded as one of the best herbal remedies for kidney and liver complaints. The root is a mildly laxative, bitter tonic, valuable in treating dyspepsia and constipation. The leaves are a powerful diuretic. However, unlike conventional diuretics, dandelion does not leach potassium from the body as its rich potassium content replaces what the body loses. The latex contained in the leaves and stalks is very effective in removing corns and in treating warts and verrucas. Apply the juice from the plant daily to the affected part. The flowers can be boiled with sugar for coughs, but honey has a greater medicinal value.

Other uses

As an herbal fertilizer dandelion is a good supply of copper. Pick 3 plants completely: leaves, flowers and all. Place in a bucket, pour over 1 litre (2 pints) boiling water, cover and allow standing for 30 minutes. Strain through an old pair of tights or something similar. This fertilizer will not store. A dye, yellow brown in color, can be obtained from the root and dandelions are excellent food for domestic rabbits, guinea pigs and gerbils. There is one thing for which they are useless, however, flower arrangements. As soon as you pick them and put them in water their flowers close tight.