So much for weeds and rabbit food: the wild herb dandelion, native throughout Europe and often frowned upon as a weed, is experiencing a renaissance, as it has many uses not only in the kitchen but also in medicine. Its more than 500 common names indicate that the dandelion, whose botanical name is Taraxacum officinale (“bitter herb”), is a very well-known plant. The colloquial name “bedpisser” or “Beddschissa” is probably due to its diuretic properties; in addition, it is also called dog’s, sheep’s, pig’s, devil’s flower and sow’s trunk, among others. In addition, it also has somewhat less harsh names such as buttercup, dandelion, or Bavarian gentian.
Dandelion – magical medicinal plant.
According to ancient witchcraft beliefs, if you rubbed your body with dandelion, every wish would come true. The Indians of North America smoked the dried leaves in their shamanic rituals. On the night before All Saints’ Day (Halloween), dandelions are part of the so-called “Samhain ritual” with divinations and necromancy.
Once the dandelion has blossomed, it forms hundreds of small umbrellas – the popular dandelion comes into being. This is also suitable as a “prophetess”. In the past, young girls and women in particular used to predict from the number of remaining fruits how many years it would take to get married, or they interpreted the umbrellas that remained after blowing as information about the years of life.
Another superstition refers to the color of the bottom of the fruit after blowing: If it is white, you go to heaven; if it is black, to purgatory. If you can blow out all the fruit at once, you are lucky, maybe even an angel. If you manage to do it after the third blow, your wishes will come true. Dandelion was also said to make warts disappear if they were sprinkled with dandelion juice on the third day of the waning moon.
Dandelion as a vegetable
Today, dandelion is used more as a vegetable than as an interpreter of the future. It can be sautéed, eaten raw as a salad, or prepared together with nettles as a soup; it tastes excellent either way. Everything is used with the dandelion: the leaves, which are more tender before flowering, the roots and also the flowers. They are rich in bitter substances, vitamins and minerals.
In medicine, the dandelion was and is used against many ailments. Dandelion has a stimulating effect on the entire cell metabolism, stimulates liver function, activates hormone production and is generally recommended for the prevention of liver and gallbladder problems. The bitter substances facilitate the entire digestion, especially the production of bile juice and thus the digestion of fats.
Tips about the dandelion
Dandelion is particularly suitable for a cure towards the summer because of its detoxifying effect. Those who aim to eliminate the “metabolic waste” accumulated during the winter and purify the blood, should carry out a course of treatment with naturally pure medicinal plant juice dandelion.
- Positive side effect: dandelion juice also improves the complexion.
- The bittersweet flavor goes well with spicy sauces and grilled meats.
- Dressing: With lemon, garlic; in cottage cheese.
- Home produce: From April to October
- Tip: The younger (=brighter, softer) the leaves, the milder the dandelion.
