Dandelion
Dandelions, when in flower, need no description.
Their bright yellow rosettes, which turn into 'dandelion clock' seedheads,
festoon lawns and parks from spring into winter
All parts of the dandelion can be used
- the root is usually harvested in the autumn;
Whereas the leaves can be available throughout the year
though traditionally they're harvested in the spring
when they are young and tender and when
and when we are in most need of their cleansing properties
after a stodgy winter.
Medicinally, the leaves are diuretic
(which means they make you pee more)
so they can help if you get swollen ankles
or water retention around your period.
They can also gently stimulate the intestines to relieve constipation
and, by gently stimulating the liver and kidneys to improve their function,
dandelion can improve the appearance of your skin
and brighten your eyes
two areas which suffer when the liver is not performing at its best.
Dandelion leaf has an excellent reputation for helping to clear up
itchy, chronic skin conditions.
The flowers, when used externally or topically,
are also helpful for soothing itchy and inflamed skin.
There are many ways to use dandelion
here are two possible recipes:
dandelion flower infused oil and dandelion leaf tea.
For the dandelion flower-infused oil:
Take a clean jam jar and fill it with dandelion flower heads
remember to collect these early in the day, when it's not raining,
as the flowers close on rainy days and towards nightfall.
Once you have filled your jar with these sunny florets,
add sunflower oil to cover the flowers completely,
put the lid on and leave in a sunny spot for at least 2 days,
and anywhere up to 2 weeks.
Alternatively, if you are in a hurry, you can set your jar,
with lid on, in a pot of water,
where the water comes halfway up the side of the jar.
Bring the water to a boil and then simmer gently for a couple of hours.
You should see the oil turning a gorgeous golden colour.
Once you have exhausted the dandelion flowers,
filter off the infused oil with a sieve,
put the dandelion flowers on the compost heap,
and label your jar of dandelion-infused oil together with the date.
This should keep, if kept in a cool dark place, for about a year.
You can then use your infused oil in other recipes
or drizzle directly onto salads
into which you have also added your dandelion leaves!
For the Dandelion leaf tea.
Take a small handful of dandelion leaves,
tear into small pieces, place in a teapot and add a cup of boiling water.
Let this infuse for 10 minutes, strain and drink while warm.
You can also drink this at room temperature or cold throughout the day
but be careful about drinking it before bedtime or you may end up
demonstrating why the French call it pissenlit or 'piss-in-the-bed'!
Although dandelion leaf helps remove excess water from your body,
it will not make you dehydrated
indeed, dandelion leaves contain high amounts of potassium
and so are an excellent rehydration ingredient.
For a cooling summer drink
and to enhance dandelion’s diuretic effect,
you could also add cucumber and lemon slices to your cold tea.