Herb Journal: Dandelion Leaf

Dandelion Leaf: It's funny, nobody thinks about dandelion in any way other than this pesky weed. I remember having an argument with my former roommate about this, and feeling angry when he was talking about all of the irritating weeds in the backyard, as well, I am studying herbal medicine, and I happen to know that these so-called weeds to which people so often refer with such contempt, are only undesireable when you look at plants for what you want them to do to beautify your lawn, yes, plants are beautiful, they help to purify the air, but these pesky weeds? poor unloved, misunderstood plants. They can make you healthy when you are sick, and you are tossing them in the garbage because they are ruining your landscape architecture. So it goes, this is why we are sick as a nation and as a world. We throw away plants that have tremendous health benefits and then drive to Walgreens to pick up our latest prescription. It is not the people's fault. What do they know? But I feel sorry for the lonely unloved dandelions, who are not only there to help your body, but also are there to actually aid your gardening efforts. Well, dandelion tea, it is a pretty yellowish-green color, it tastes pretty good, and it has a strengthening effect on your life force, meaning it is a strengthener, well of course, it is, actually a nutritive herb, and thus a blood strengthener. It tastes sort of sweet, and somewhat mellow. A  nice flavor, and one I can say is a pleasurable tea to drink. It gets your fluids flowing, as it is a "bitter" herb, although that is not its ovewhelming characteristic in my opinion, it stimulates bile secretion and makes you salivate... a lot. Dandelion leaf is AWESOME. It contains tons of calcium and vitamin C and iron, it can be like a daily multivitamin, plus it tastes good, controls cholesterol, helps with type 2 diabetes, PMS, stimulates kidneys and liver function, reduces inflammation, and is a all around basic detoxifier. This herb is so incredibly useful for so many things, I have used it often, in so many different formulas, from calcium and iron nutritional supplements, to chlorophyll blood alkalizing formulas, to external healing salves. This is one of those stock herbs to keep on hand, if you are going to treat yourself herbally for various issues that arise.