References to the plant as a Welsh medicine occur as early as the thirteenth century. As late as 1532, however, the root, which contains some of the most medicinal properties of the plant, is still not illustrated at all in the old herbals. Apparently only the aerial parts of the herb were in use at that time.
Grieve tells us "In former days, Dandelion Juice was the favorite preparation both in official and domestic medicine. Provincial druggists sent their collectors for the roots and expressed the juice while these were quite fresh. Many country druggists prided themselves on their Dandelion Juice."
A common game for children was to blow at the seed head until all the seeds were released. The number of puffs necessary to remove all the seed would tell them the time of day. Another version tells us that one should blow three times, and the number of seeds left determined the hour of the clock.
A close look at dandelions in the field would tell farmers the weather, as dandelion blooms are quite sensitive to weather conditions. It closes for the chill and damp of night, opening again just in time to catch the first sunlight. In fine weather, all the parts are outstretched, but when rain or storms threaten, the whole head closes up. It is a sign of rain when the down from a ripened dandelion head falls without wind helping it to do so.
MEDICINAL USES: Dandelion's primary medicinal use is as a detoxifying and purifying agent, and extremely beneficial to all functions of the liver and kidneys. It clears obstructions, such as stones in the gallbladder, and detoxifies poisons that gather in the liver, spleen, and gall bladder.
Dandelion is known:
- As rich source of potassium, and contains more vitamin A than carrots, and twice as much Vitamin A as spinach.
-To promotes healthy circulation, providing a cleansing stimulant to the blood and tissues.
- Beneficial for urinary troubles, urinary tract infections, cystitis, and the reduction of uric acid.
- To increase appetite
- To combat nausea and dizziness
- As a diuretic and laxative
- In treatment of rheumatism and joint stiffness
- For hepatitis (check with your doctor)
- To remove warts. The juice from a broken leaf stem can be applied to warts and allowed to dry; used for 3 days or so it will dry up the warts. The same treatment has been used with some success on liver spots.
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