Dorje's Herbal articles are published monthly in the Crestone Eagle
Elder - March 2011
Black Elderberry, Sambucus nigra
Elder! What an amazing plant. Probably now most people know about
Elderberry syrup as a treatment for the flu. Not only medicinal and
high in antioxidants, but delicious as well, Elderberry can also be used
to make jam and wine. Even though it's nearly spring, the flu seems to
be making its rounds one last time, and Elder is one of the most useful
herbs in the treatment of flu. Store-bought Elderberry syrup may be
high in sugar, counteracting its effectiveness, but an Elderberry
tincture or less sweet syrup can be made at home. The berries can also
be dried or frozen.
Elder flowers have traditionally been used as an infusion to treat colds, flus and congestion. The flowers are diaphoretic (cause sweating) when drunk as a hot tea, thereby bringing down a fever. The tea or tincture can clear congestion in the sinuses and ears and be helpful in allergies.
As part of a traditional remedy for colds, flus and fevers, Elder flowers are combined with Peppermint leaves and Yarrow flowers. This tea is gentle enough for children and effective enough for adults. Elder has a cheery disposition and has a long history of use as a relaxant for both children and adults.
It is said that if one sits under an Elder tree on Midsummer's Eve the nature spirits will appear. I've never tried this, but if I had an Elder tree in my yard I certainly would!
When using Elder, either berries or flowers, be sure to use Black Elder, Sambucus nigra, not red. If you're not sure, check with someone who can positively identify the species. The flowers and berries of the Black Elder are edible, but the leaves are not.
Enjoy this beautiful and common medicinal plant. Once you learn these common herbs, they will be your allies forever. This is our birthright as humans. No prescription needed!
Elder flowers have traditionally been used as an infusion to treat colds, flus and congestion. The flowers are diaphoretic (cause sweating) when drunk as a hot tea, thereby bringing down a fever. The tea or tincture can clear congestion in the sinuses and ears and be helpful in allergies.
As part of a traditional remedy for colds, flus and fevers, Elder flowers are combined with Peppermint leaves and Yarrow flowers. This tea is gentle enough for children and effective enough for adults. Elder has a cheery disposition and has a long history of use as a relaxant for both children and adults.
It is said that if one sits under an Elder tree on Midsummer's Eve the nature spirits will appear. I've never tried this, but if I had an Elder tree in my yard I certainly would!
When using Elder, either berries or flowers, be sure to use Black Elder, Sambucus nigra, not red. If you're not sure, check with someone who can positively identify the species. The flowers and berries of the Black Elder are edible, but the leaves are not.
Enjoy this beautiful and common medicinal plant. Once you learn these common herbs, they will be your allies forever. This is our birthright as humans. No prescription needed!
Motherwort - December 2010
Motherwort, Leonurus cardiaca
Why Motherwort in December, you may ask? Motherwort is a spring and summer herb, the leaves harvested just before or during flowering. Even with continuous harvesting, the end of summer is the latest this plant can be used. Well, the holiday season is often a very stressful time for many people, and Motherwort is, amongst its many uses, an herb for stress par excellence. It is known as a relaxing nervine, and I would add that it is also a grounding nervine. Let me tell you a few stories about Motherwort. The first was when I was in herb school, 18 years ago. We were out in the field, learning about various herbs. I was under a lot of stress. I had physical issues and was feeling very emotional and out of my body. My teachers had talked about the plants talking to you, and at the time I thought, "yeah, right." As I stood there, taking notes on Burdock, this plant next to me got my attention. "Eat me!" it said. What? "Eat me!" Hmmmm... After verifying that this was indeed a medicinal herb, I picked a few leaves and began munching on them. Ew! Very bitter! But I began to feel better almost instantly. I felt myself come back into my body, get very grounded, and the emotional chaos that was going on began to subside. By time we left that spot, my whole beingness felt more relaxed, calm, and present. I guess that was my first experience (since childhood!) with Plant Spirit Medicine.
Another time I was due to go somewhere with my friend Sue. Sue tended to have bouts of grumpiness, sometimes to the point of my not wanting to be anywhere near her. She arrived at my house and I felt she was getting into one of those grumpy states. She also had a cold. I handed her a glass with some diluted Motherwort tincture without a word. Since she knew I was an herbalist, she thought I was giving her something for her cold. About 5 minutes into our trip, she was smiling and laughing her wonderful infectious laugh. She turned to me and asked,"what did you give me?" I gave her her own bottle of Motherwort tincture and let her know I would only hang out with her if she had that bottle with her.
When I was going through peri-menopause and my two daughters were teenagers, we had a rule that if any one of us told any other one of us to take Motherwort that we had to do it. This prevented the "I'm not grumpy!!!" defense. With three sensitives, there was a fair amount of irritability going on in those days!
And my last (for this article!) story about Motherwort. A couple friends of mine and I held an annual Dandelion Festival in Boulder for 5 years. There was a lot to get together, and just before people were due to arrive we were a pretty nervous. One year I was tincturing a gallon jar of Motherwort, and it was in that beginning stage where the alcohol turns an incredibly vivid shade of green, like it vibrates with the very life force of the herb. Fifteen minutes before the Festival was due to begin, we all stood in a circle, holding the jar between us and let the palpable energy and magic of that Motherwort relax and settle us. We were good to go very quickly.
Motherwort is in the Mint family, therefore it has square stems and opposite leaves. It is one of the non-aromatic mints, and has a strong bitter taste. One of the things to know about the mints is that the more you cut them back, the more they grow, so Motherwort can be harvested several times in the season. The top 1/3 or so of the plant is used, usually harvested while flowering, but I have used it before and after. It's best tinctured fresh, chopped in small pieces and soaked in alcohol (Everclear, vodka, even wine) for two weeks, stirring often. Pack the herb tightly into a jar, and just barely cover with the alcohol. This is called the "folk method" of tincturing. Within a few hours you'll see that incredible life-force green" that I mentioned. When the tincture is done, strain it, bottle it in amber jars and use a dose of 2 droppersful diluted in water. Motherwort can be used as a tea, but with its bitter flavor it takes a bit to get through a whole cup of tea!
In addition to being a nervine, Motherwort is also a heart tonic and uterine tonic. As a heart tonic it can stop heart palpitations among other things. As a uterine tonic, it can bring on a late period. For this very reason this is not an herb to use in the first trimester of pregnancy. In later pregnancy, use in small (drop) doses.
So with holiday stress and lots to do, keep a bottle of Motherwort tincture handy. You'll be amazed at how helpful this herb can be. (A friend at herb school called it her "Little Mama"). Grounding, relaxing, emotionally calming. I mix Motherwort with Rescue Remedy for my "Rescue Mama" formula. May you have relaxed and unstressed holidays with "Little Mama".
Another time I was due to go somewhere with my friend Sue. Sue tended to have bouts of grumpiness, sometimes to the point of my not wanting to be anywhere near her. She arrived at my house and I felt she was getting into one of those grumpy states. She also had a cold. I handed her a glass with some diluted Motherwort tincture without a word. Since she knew I was an herbalist, she thought I was giving her something for her cold. About 5 minutes into our trip, she was smiling and laughing her wonderful infectious laugh. She turned to me and asked,"what did you give me?" I gave her her own bottle of Motherwort tincture and let her know I would only hang out with her if she had that bottle with her.
When I was going through peri-menopause and my two daughters were teenagers, we had a rule that if any one of us told any other one of us to take Motherwort that we had to do it. This prevented the "I'm not grumpy!!!" defense. With three sensitives, there was a fair amount of irritability going on in those days!
And my last (for this article!) story about Motherwort. A couple friends of mine and I held an annual Dandelion Festival in Boulder for 5 years. There was a lot to get together, and just before people were due to arrive we were a pretty nervous. One year I was tincturing a gallon jar of Motherwort, and it was in that beginning stage where the alcohol turns an incredibly vivid shade of green, like it vibrates with the very life force of the herb. Fifteen minutes before the Festival was due to begin, we all stood in a circle, holding the jar between us and let the palpable energy and magic of that Motherwort relax and settle us. We were good to go very quickly.
Motherwort is in the Mint family, therefore it has square stems and opposite leaves. It is one of the non-aromatic mints, and has a strong bitter taste. One of the things to know about the mints is that the more you cut them back, the more they grow, so Motherwort can be harvested several times in the season. The top 1/3 or so of the plant is used, usually harvested while flowering, but I have used it before and after. It's best tinctured fresh, chopped in small pieces and soaked in alcohol (Everclear, vodka, even wine) for two weeks, stirring often. Pack the herb tightly into a jar, and just barely cover with the alcohol. This is called the "folk method" of tincturing. Within a few hours you'll see that incredible life-force green" that I mentioned. When the tincture is done, strain it, bottle it in amber jars and use a dose of 2 droppersful diluted in water. Motherwort can be used as a tea, but with its bitter flavor it takes a bit to get through a whole cup of tea!
In addition to being a nervine, Motherwort is also a heart tonic and uterine tonic. As a heart tonic it can stop heart palpitations among other things. As a uterine tonic, it can bring on a late period. For this very reason this is not an herb to use in the first trimester of pregnancy. In later pregnancy, use in small (drop) doses.
So with holiday stress and lots to do, keep a bottle of Motherwort tincture handy. You'll be amazed at how helpful this herb can be. (A friend at herb school called it her "Little Mama"). Grounding, relaxing, emotionally calming. I mix Motherwort with Rescue Remedy for my "Rescue Mama" formula. May you have relaxed and unstressed holidays with "Little Mama".
Burdock - November 2010
Burdock, Arctium lappa
Fall is the time to harvest roots and seeds. Between the end of summer, and the time when the ground is frozen is the time to dig those roots and harvest any seeds not already fallen to the ground.
The root is harvested in the fall or spring from first year plants, which are the rosettes on the ground. Once the plant goes into its second year and sends shoots upwards the root gets tougher and stringy.
Burdock root is a wonderful root to dig just now. It's not only a great herb but also a great fall and spring food. Burdock root is used in Japanese cooking (gobo), it can be julienned and stir fried with carrots. It's sold in grocery stores for those who don't want to harvest it. My favorite way to cook with Burdock is to put it in stews. It has a rich, earthy, grounding taste that adds to any stew, whether a meat stew or a vegetarian one.
Burdock can be used medicinally in so many ways! Its nature is cooling and grounding. A good remedy for those who tend to be spaced out. Think skin, blood, and liver. It works well for skin conditions from acne, to eczema, psoriasis, boils, abscesses and cysts. It works as a blood cleanser for arthritis and gout, glandular infections and swollen glands, and as part of the Hoxsey formula for cancer. For an overworked liver, Burdock clears all the waste products sent its way. It helps process fats. Someone (sorry - I can't remember who!) said, "Burdock helps the body remember what it was like to be healthy". I include Burdock in my "Root's Roots" tincture formula, a general liver cleansing formula, along with Dandelion root, Yellow Dock root, Licorice root, and Milk Thistle seed. Those who take it on a regular basis swear that it keeps them well when those around them are getting sick.
Burdock leaf can be used as a poultice for bruises, abrasions, inflammations and sore joints, mastitis and burns.
Energetically, Burdock is like a big burly truck driver who turns out to have a heart of gold. It's gentle but sturdy, sensitive yet robust. Hmmm... this may well be a fabulous plant for sensitive people! I would encourage you to sit with this plant in the spring, when it is in bloom. Offer it some tobacco and stay still. See what it has to say to you, and share with you.
The root is harvested in the fall or spring from first year plants, which are the rosettes on the ground. Once the plant goes into its second year and sends shoots upwards the root gets tougher and stringy.
Burdock root is a wonderful root to dig just now. It's not only a great herb but also a great fall and spring food. Burdock root is used in Japanese cooking (gobo), it can be julienned and stir fried with carrots. It's sold in grocery stores for those who don't want to harvest it. My favorite way to cook with Burdock is to put it in stews. It has a rich, earthy, grounding taste that adds to any stew, whether a meat stew or a vegetarian one.
Burdock can be used medicinally in so many ways! Its nature is cooling and grounding. A good remedy for those who tend to be spaced out. Think skin, blood, and liver. It works well for skin conditions from acne, to eczema, psoriasis, boils, abscesses and cysts. It works as a blood cleanser for arthritis and gout, glandular infections and swollen glands, and as part of the Hoxsey formula for cancer. For an overworked liver, Burdock clears all the waste products sent its way. It helps process fats. Someone (sorry - I can't remember who!) said, "Burdock helps the body remember what it was like to be healthy". I include Burdock in my "Root's Roots" tincture formula, a general liver cleansing formula, along with Dandelion root, Yellow Dock root, Licorice root, and Milk Thistle seed. Those who take it on a regular basis swear that it keeps them well when those around them are getting sick.
Burdock leaf can be used as a poultice for bruises, abrasions, inflammations and sore joints, mastitis and burns.
Energetically, Burdock is like a big burly truck driver who turns out to have a heart of gold. It's gentle but sturdy, sensitive yet robust. Hmmm... this may well be a fabulous plant for sensitive people! I would encourage you to sit with this plant in the spring, when it is in bloom. Offer it some tobacco and stay still. See what it has to say to you, and share with you.
Aspen - October 2010
Aspen, Populus tremuloides
Wondering what herb to highlight this month and attempting to stay in the flow of the season, Aspen kept leaping into my mind. Aspen! The glorious, brilliant fashion statement of fall in Colorado! We don't have the myriad reds, oranges, golds and browns of New England here. We have the intense yellow gold sometimes a little red-orange of the changing Aspens. People drive for miles to see the best colors in the best locations. And then they're gone. They are certainly medicine for the eyes and the spirit. But did you know they're also medicine for the body?
The green inner bark of Aspen is the part used for medicine. And the best time to gather this is in the spring when the sap is rising, flowing through the bark, or in the fall when it's receding back into the roots. The best way to harvest Aspen bark is by cutting an entire branch and stripping it, rather than stripping bark from the main trunk of the tree. Taking bark from a main trunk will kill or injure the tree, or introduce disease. In fact, it's best to coat the stump with pine tar, paint, or nail polish to avoid introducing fungus. Ask permission to take the branch, and do it with respect and gratitude, offering a little tobacco or corn meal when you do. In this culture where respect for the natural world is so lacking, let those of us who still honor our Mother Earth make an extra effort to show that respect and appreciation.
So having respectfully cut your Aspen branch, and peeled the inner bark while the branch was still fresh, now what? What is Aspen bark used for? Aspen bark, like the bark of other trees in this plant family (Cottonwood, Willow, Poplar) is anti-inflammatory, an anodyne, topical analgesic, and an anti-coagulant. Translation = it's helpful for pain and inflammation both internally and externally and thins the blood. Aspen, unlike its family members, is not irritating to the stomach. It contains salicylates, so don't take it if you are allergic to aspirin. Aspen, in tincture, tea, or capsule form, can be very helpful specifically for the pain of urinary tract infections, and osteoarthritis. Internally it can take a few hours to take effect. It can be used in a salve for external pain relief. The buds can be used in a cough syrup as they are highly expectorant.
As a flower essence, Aspen is used for fear and worries of unknown origin. According to Dr. Bach, "Aspen is indicated for people who are seized by sudden fear or worries for no specific reason, and who may therefore be generally nervy and anxious. A typical need for Aspen is on wakening in fear from a bad dream, even if the dream itself is forgotten. Aspen is helpful for young children experiencing nightmares and night terrors. Aspen fears can occur during the day or night; an inexplicable anxiety or sense of foreboding may strike when alone, or suddenly in the company of friends. These sudden unexplained attacks of terror may be accompanied by sweating or trembling." (Bach Flower Essences for the Family")
Aspen is not a single tree, but part of a colony of trees. "Each individual tree can live for 40-150 years above ground, but the root system of the colony is long-lived. In some cases, this is for thousands of years, sending up new trunks as the older trunks die off above ground. For this reason it is considered to be an indicator of ancient woodlands. One such colony in Utah, given the nickname of "Pando", is claimed to be 80,000 years old, making it possibly the oldest living colony of aspens. Some aspen colonies become very large with time, spreading about a metre per year, eventually covering many hectares. They are able to survive forest fires, since the roots are below the heat of the fire, with new sprouts growing after the fire burns out." (Wikipedia)
The green inner bark of Aspen is the part used for medicine. And the best time to gather this is in the spring when the sap is rising, flowing through the bark, or in the fall when it's receding back into the roots. The best way to harvest Aspen bark is by cutting an entire branch and stripping it, rather than stripping bark from the main trunk of the tree. Taking bark from a main trunk will kill or injure the tree, or introduce disease. In fact, it's best to coat the stump with pine tar, paint, or nail polish to avoid introducing fungus. Ask permission to take the branch, and do it with respect and gratitude, offering a little tobacco or corn meal when you do. In this culture where respect for the natural world is so lacking, let those of us who still honor our Mother Earth make an extra effort to show that respect and appreciation.
So having respectfully cut your Aspen branch, and peeled the inner bark while the branch was still fresh, now what? What is Aspen bark used for? Aspen bark, like the bark of other trees in this plant family (Cottonwood, Willow, Poplar) is anti-inflammatory, an anodyne, topical analgesic, and an anti-coagulant. Translation = it's helpful for pain and inflammation both internally and externally and thins the blood. Aspen, unlike its family members, is not irritating to the stomach. It contains salicylates, so don't take it if you are allergic to aspirin. Aspen, in tincture, tea, or capsule form, can be very helpful specifically for the pain of urinary tract infections, and osteoarthritis. Internally it can take a few hours to take effect. It can be used in a salve for external pain relief. The buds can be used in a cough syrup as they are highly expectorant.
As a flower essence, Aspen is used for fear and worries of unknown origin. According to Dr. Bach, "Aspen is indicated for people who are seized by sudden fear or worries for no specific reason, and who may therefore be generally nervy and anxious. A typical need for Aspen is on wakening in fear from a bad dream, even if the dream itself is forgotten. Aspen is helpful for young children experiencing nightmares and night terrors. Aspen fears can occur during the day or night; an inexplicable anxiety or sense of foreboding may strike when alone, or suddenly in the company of friends. These sudden unexplained attacks of terror may be accompanied by sweating or trembling." (Bach Flower Essences for the Family")
Aspen is not a single tree, but part of a colony of trees. "Each individual tree can live for 40-150 years above ground, but the root system of the colony is long-lived. In some cases, this is for thousands of years, sending up new trunks as the older trunks die off above ground. For this reason it is considered to be an indicator of ancient woodlands. One such colony in Utah, given the nickname of "Pando", is claimed to be 80,000 years old, making it possibly the oldest living colony of aspens. Some aspen colonies become very large with time, spreading about a metre per year, eventually covering many hectares. They are able to survive forest fires, since the roots are below the heat of the fire, with new sprouts growing after the fire burns out." (Wikipedia)
Rocky Mountain Bee Plant - September
Cleome serrulata (Capparidacea family),
Rocky Mountain Bee Plant (Guaco in Spanish)was a new one for
me when I moved to Crestone. It not only covers the landscape with a
sea of lavender, it has also saved lives in times of hardship. This
beautiful plant seems to thrive in drought! The story has it, that
sometime in the past, I believe in the last 200 years, there was a
drought in this area that was so severe that people were starving to
death. Many, however managed to survive by grinding the seeds of this
plant into flour and making tortillas with it. Apparently it's not
terribly tasty but does have nutritional value. I haven't tried this
yet but I plan to soon. I'll let you know how it tastes! There must be
a message here for us, too, about living on what is abundantly
available.
In addition to the nutritional value in the seeds, the leaves of the Bee Plant are edible and can be dried as a winter green. They can also be used as a poultice to reduce inflammation of poisonous insect bites.
As my knowledge and first hand experience of this plant increase, I will share that in this newsletter. I'm looking forward to getting to know her better.
In addition to the nutritional value in the seeds, the leaves of the Bee Plant are edible and can be dried as a winter green. They can also be used as a poultice to reduce inflammation of poisonous insect bites.
As my knowledge and first hand experience of this plant increase, I will share that in this newsletter. I'm looking forward to getting to know her better.
Arnica - August 2010
Arnica cordifolia
Arnica - the quintessential first aid herb! Arnica, in
its herbal form is highly toxic if taken internally. Hmm... how can it
be a first aid herb then? Well, it's most commonly used
homeopathically. Homeopathy, for those of you unfamiliar with it, uses
highly dilute forms of herbs and other substances. The more dilute, the
more potent. It its most potent forms homeopathics don't contain any
of the actual substance but merely the energetic imprint.
Homeopathic Arnica is a safe, effective way to use the plant. Orally it can be used for any kind of trauma, most commonly bumps, bruises, breaks, and any type of injury. I generally use it at a potency of 30c for common injuries. Homeopathic Arnica is safe for children and even babies (at a lower potency) and is a wonderful medicine for them because it tastes good and is easy to use. I use Arnica at a higher potency for pre and post surgery. Even though pre surgery instructions are to take nothing by mouth, homeopathic pellets dissolve under the tongue so do not make it to the stomach. Arnica clears trauma and so speeds healing. It's often the trauma retained in the cells that not only hinders physical healing but can also be the cause of later physical and emotional problems.
When working with someone energetically, I have used homeopathic Arnica in very high potencies to clear past life trauma. In the same way that Arnical clears trauma in a physical injury, it also clears that intense trauma that can be still held in the energy field from an extremely traumatic situation that happened in the past. Arnica clears trauma by dispersing that energy.
Herbally, Arnica can be used externally. Dilute the tincture 1:5 with water and use it in a compress, being careful not to use on broken skin. You can now buy little packets of Arnica soaked pads which are a very handy thing to keep in a first aid kit in case of injury, sprained ankles, bruises or broken bones. An Arnica compress can reduce or eliminate swelling and speed healing.
So in your first aid kit, be sure to include a bottle of homeopathic Arnica 30c, and either packets of Arnica pads or a tube of homepathic Arnica gel or cream. Don't leave home without it!
Homeopathic Arnica is a safe, effective way to use the plant. Orally it can be used for any kind of trauma, most commonly bumps, bruises, breaks, and any type of injury. I generally use it at a potency of 30c for common injuries. Homeopathic Arnica is safe for children and even babies (at a lower potency) and is a wonderful medicine for them because it tastes good and is easy to use. I use Arnica at a higher potency for pre and post surgery. Even though pre surgery instructions are to take nothing by mouth, homeopathic pellets dissolve under the tongue so do not make it to the stomach. Arnica clears trauma and so speeds healing. It's often the trauma retained in the cells that not only hinders physical healing but can also be the cause of later physical and emotional problems.
When working with someone energetically, I have used homeopathic Arnica in very high potencies to clear past life trauma. In the same way that Arnical clears trauma in a physical injury, it also clears that intense trauma that can be still held in the energy field from an extremely traumatic situation that happened in the past. Arnica clears trauma by dispersing that energy.
Herbally, Arnica can be used externally. Dilute the tincture 1:5 with water and use it in a compress, being careful not to use on broken skin. You can now buy little packets of Arnica soaked pads which are a very handy thing to keep in a first aid kit in case of injury, sprained ankles, bruises or broken bones. An Arnica compress can reduce or eliminate swelling and speed healing.
So in your first aid kit, be sure to include a bottle of homeopathic Arnica 30c, and either packets of Arnica pads or a tube of homepathic Arnica gel or cream. Don't leave home without it!
Dandelion - June 2010
Taraxacum officianale
How could I not begin with Dandelion? I know the peak time
for Dandelion in the front range is around May 1st, here in Crestone
more like June 1st. And, if there was a timeless herb, a ubiquitous
herb it would of course be Dandelion. The herb we love to spray in a
useless attempt to eradicate it from our lawns, and who reminds us of
it's tenaciousness, it's persistence, and its love of life. Notice how
quickly dandelions come back after a lawn has been sprayed. It's a
matter of days. They're survivors, and their message to us is that we
can survive too. In spite of all the pollution of our world, we can
survive. I heard a story about a man whose dog was very sick. He was
taken to the vet and was found to have a liver that was overloaded with
chemical toxins. The vet, who apparently was a holistic vet, told the
man to give his dog dandelion root to clear his liver. It turned out
that the dog had gotten sick from running around on the lawn that the
man had just sprayed for dandelions. I find that a bit ironic.
So yes, dandelions roots are beneficial for the liver. Dig in the fall or early spring. Dandelion roots can be dried and chopped and made into an herbal decoction (a tea made by bringing the herb in water to a boil and simmering 20 minutes). They can be slowly roasted and made into a coffee substitute. They can be tinctured in alcohol and taken in dropperful doses.
Dandelion leaf, on the other hand is more oriented towards the kidneys. The earlier in the season they are picked the less bitter they are. Dandelion leaf is a diuretic that is equal in potency to pharmaceutical diuretics, with the added benefit that because they're high in potassium they don't leach potassium from the system. Dandelion leaf is also higher in minerals and vitamins than any other green. Again, for eating the earlier in the season the less bitter. Eat the young greens in salad and the older greens in stirfrys and soups. Here's a recipe that I came up with for Dandelion Potato Soup. The potatoes absorb the bitterness of dandelion greens and so this is a perfect recipe for older greens.
Dandelion Potato Soup:
Boil a number of potatoes in water until done. Meanwhile, saute' one or more onion in olive oil or butter. When the potatoes are done, add the onions and as many washed, chopped dandelion leaves as you have. Let them cook through. This won't take very long in the boiling potato water. Let cool a bit, then put in portions through a blender or food processor. Add butter and salt to taste (I like a lot of butter in it!) Add pepper and any other herbs you like to season. Serve hot or cold. Yum!
Don't forget to use dandelion flowers in wine, fritters, and my favorite Dandelion-Rhubarb Crisp!
So yes, dandelions roots are beneficial for the liver. Dig in the fall or early spring. Dandelion roots can be dried and chopped and made into an herbal decoction (a tea made by bringing the herb in water to a boil and simmering 20 minutes). They can be slowly roasted and made into a coffee substitute. They can be tinctured in alcohol and taken in dropperful doses.
Dandelion leaf, on the other hand is more oriented towards the kidneys. The earlier in the season they are picked the less bitter they are. Dandelion leaf is a diuretic that is equal in potency to pharmaceutical diuretics, with the added benefit that because they're high in potassium they don't leach potassium from the system. Dandelion leaf is also higher in minerals and vitamins than any other green. Again, for eating the earlier in the season the less bitter. Eat the young greens in salad and the older greens in stirfrys and soups. Here's a recipe that I came up with for Dandelion Potato Soup. The potatoes absorb the bitterness of dandelion greens and so this is a perfect recipe for older greens.
Dandelion Potato Soup:
Boil a number of potatoes in water until done. Meanwhile, saute' one or more onion in olive oil or butter. When the potatoes are done, add the onions and as many washed, chopped dandelion leaves as you have. Let them cook through. This won't take very long in the boiling potato water. Let cool a bit, then put in portions through a blender or food processor. Add butter and salt to taste (I like a lot of butter in it!) Add pepper and any other herbs you like to season. Serve hot or cold. Yum!
Don't forget to use dandelion flowers in wine, fritters, and my favorite Dandelion-Rhubarb Crisp!
