Ode to Dandelion
Ode to Dandelion
By Mesa
Tell me a tale of what I don’t know.
Like where do you come from, and where do you go?
And how do you hold such positive light,
through the darkness and chaos, resistance and fight?
You are so persistent through thick and through thin,
And then you remind me that we are akin.
My sweet spirit plant you ground me in joy,
Teaching me how to be bold and not coy.
You whisper with voice not heard by ear,
“You can do it my dear... you see it’s right here.
Just following that light that peaks through the crack,
Focus on abundance with no mind for lack.
Your optimistic outlook will win every time.
Just remember Love as your source and your prime”.
Through fertilized lawns and cement sidewalks she will always find her way; it is just a matter of time before she will appear again. Her yellow flowers are cheerful and tender and then they give way to white wishes that provide pure joy.
It’s that time of year… The time of year when I am reunited with one of my dearest teachers, guides, friends and allies– Dandelion. Of all the plants I know and love, Dandelion is nearest and dearest to my heart. She is so bold and cheerful, relentless and powerful. I turn to her in times of emotional unrest and physical distress and she always helps. She is pure light medicine. It boggles my mind that our culture attempts to suppress her. It is not only foolish because she is incredible food and medicine, but also because it is inevitably a losing battle. She is simply far too determined, persistent and positive. Through fertilized lawns and cement sidewalks she will always find her way; it is just a matter of time before she will appear again. Her yellow flowers are cheerful and tender and then they give way to white wishes that provide pure joy (especially for the large and small children). And if all that weren’t enough, the entire plant is edible and medicinal! That’s right– food, medicine and magic all in one for one in all. Dandelions are not only food and medicine for us, they are vital to pollinators in early spring. Their flowers bloom before other flowers providing both pollen and nectar for the bees and butterflies before more flowering plants become available. Honeybees along with other pollinators such as bats, birds, butterflies and bumblebees are responsible in one way or another for over 100 crops. In other words, if the pollinators don’t get fed neither do we.
Some common crops that would disappear without help from the pollinators:
Apples
Almonds
Blueberries
Cherries
Avocado
Cucumbers
Onions
Grapefruit
Orange
Pumpkins
This is yet another reason why transitioning to a no mow lawn, at least through the month of May, is imperative for a healthy ecosystem.
Medicinal properties of Dandelion for Humans:
- Antioxidant
- Anti inflammatory
- Helps to control blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol
- Good source of potassium
- Assist kidney and liver function
Transition to a no mow lawn, at least through the month of May for a healthy ecosystem
What To Eat and How To Eat It
Flowers
Harvest young bright yellow blossoms. Remove the stem and use fresh. Excellent as an edible, vibrant salad garnish.
Leaves
Harvest young green leaves ideally prior to the flower blooming. Younger leaves are more tender if the flower has bloomed the leaves will get increasingly bitter. I find the young dandelion leaves a wonderful addition to salad greens. I prefer to blanch the older greens to cut the bitterness and then sautéing like spinach or add to soup.
Roots
This is my personal favorite, Dandelion Root Tea!!! Carefully dig out as much of the root as possible. Wash then dice. If you are going to make the tea, immediately simmer on the stove for 15 minutes and then strain. If you harvested an abundance and want to save it for later after washing, dice the chopped roots on a piece of paper towel or preferably a screen so that it can be aerated and dried. Once dried, store in an airtight container and use as desired. When I’m in the mood for a little sweet treat I like to add a dash of maple syrup and a splash of oat milk!
*** Avoid foraging plants that are close to the road, any type of runoff or fertilized lawn. It is best to find Dandelion in the forest or meadow.