There exists within me an equal amount of appreciation & fear of Taraxacum officinale – Dandelion.
Fear exists because this “weed” was the cause of my very first allergic reaction around the age of 7 when I picked a bouquet for my mom & unknowingly rubbed my eyes before washing my hands. I promptly ended up in the emergency room with both eyes completely swollen & intolerably itchy. Foggy recollection of the trauma includes a doctor prying my eyelids open to squeeze in medicinal drops & saying something like “it’s a good thing you came when you did, lest her eyes be permanently swollen shut.”
Fourteen years & several severe allergic reactions later, I endured another round of allergy tests confirming an endless list of culprits. I’ll never forget when the administer laughed at the irony of a massive reaction to Dandelion… right on my Dandelion tattoo. Funny.
I am continually drawn to wild edible plants whose healing powers & medicinal benefits are profound and this is undeniably one to appreciate. It’s an incredible detoxifier & tonic for the liver & gallbladder. It dispels fiery Pitta and can reduce cysts & tumors. It’s also fantastic for breast & lymph health. All parts are edible – flower, leaf, and root. And it can be harvested right outside our front door. It’s a most versatile culinary ingredient to boot – beautiful in salads, sautés, jams, teas, broths, baked goods, and wine. And of course, the wish-granting magic of blowing dried petals into the wind serves to feed the soul of the inner child.
These gold “lion tooth” flowers with bitter greens & calcium-packed roots are ruled by Jupiter – a generous & wise planet with herbal qualities of expansive transformation & warm masculinity. These plants soothe & uplift our emotions, encourage an abundance mindset, and amplify the effects of plants they are paired with.
I decided to trust in intuitive body knowledge & use muscle testing to see if this plant is medicinal for me. With a body sway technique, I discovered I am still very much allergic to the greens & flowers. But to the root, however – a big yes! It’s empowering to know exactly what foods are beneficial for us. I feel like I can now truly heal my relationship with Dandelion by utilizing it in the way it’s good medicine for me.
Warm weather & springtime sunshine has me antsy to see these little lawn lions pop up & turn yards into gilded jungles again! I’ll learn to dig deep for the roots & how to make dandy medicine from scratch.
Detox Broth
Ingredients:
3 cups water
2 tsp dandelion root
1 tsp burdock root
1 tbsp milk thistle
2 tsp nettle
Simmer in hot water for 20 minutes, occasionally stirring intention into the brew.
Strain & sip throughout the day with meals.
Asparagus w/ Dandelion Chimichurri
serves: 2
Ingredients:
1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed off
1 bunch dandelion greens
2 glugs + 1 drizzle sunflower oil
juice of 1 lemon
couple pinches of salt
sprinkle of paprika to garnish
Heat a drizzle of oil in cast iron pan & add asparagus.
Meanwhile, pulse greens, lemon, salt, and oil in food processor until finely chopped (or simply chop & mix by hand)
When asparagus is fragrantly cooked through but still firm, remove from heat.
Serve asparagus with rice & a generous spread of chimi.
Dandy Blend Latte
Basic Dandy Latte:
1 TBSP Dandy Blend Powder
1/2 cup warm plant mylk
1 tbsp raw local honey or maple syrup
Top off your mug with hot water
Optional additions to elevate your brew:
Mushroom Powders – lions mane, reishi, turkey tail, cordyceps, chaga
Adaptogens – shatavari, ashwagandha, astragalus, maca
Spices – cardamom, nutmeg
Dirty – add coffee/espresso
Dandiest Lassi
Ingredients:
1 cup goat milk kefir or homemade yogurt
1 tsp Dandy Blend Powder
1 tbsp raw local honey
1/2 tsp cardamom
opt. sprinkle of cinnamon to garnish
Blend everything together & enjoy after meals to aid in digestion. Add ice cubes if desired.
“Intuition is the ability to use energy data to make decisions in the immediate moment… intuitive guidance does not mean following a voice to the Promised Land. It means having the self-esteem to recognize that the discomfort or confusion that a person feels is actually directing [them] to take charge of [their] life & make choices that will break [them] out of stagnancy or misery. Intuition, like all meditative disciplines can be enormously effective if, and only if, one has the courage & personal power to follow through on the guidance it provides.”
– Caroline Myss
Anatomy of the Spirit
Wild Altar 