Dandelion Gathering

We only have one Earth, astronomers have looked! Earth is the only planet that can sustain life as we know it and need it to be. Clean water, clean air, clean soil is what we need to survive. In order to do my part for future generations, I became an herbalist a few years ago. I enjoy practicing herbalism because it is one small way to make a big impact! You can actually forage for medicine! You don’t have to buy from a store which used up more of Earth’s resources, as well as, emitting more pollution into our atmosphere. Herbalism is so simple to learn, there are SO many herbalists out there willing to share their knowledge. Once you have created a foundation of learning about your local plants and their properties, you can go for a nature walk and collect an amount of each to take home to use in a tea or as an infusion!

My favorite plant to forage is dandelion! They will grow just about anywhere. Sidewalks, side lots, abandoned spaces or beautiful lawns. Dandelions are the toughest plant survivors out there. Dandelions are often looked at as weeds and chemicals are used to eradicate the dandelion from lawns and gardens. These chemicals are often destructive poisons that kill the dandelions but also seep into our underground water networks, they can also kill beneficial insects and small animals along the way. They pollute our water run off and can get into our drinking water and the water of your local wildlife!

Dandelion is very beneficial to humans; the polysaccharides in dandelion are known to reduce stress on the liver and support its ability to produce bile. They also help your liver filter potentially harmful chemicals out of your food. Dandelion is also a good source of Vitamin C, one of the most helpful vitamins for the immune system. Dandelion is often consumed as a tonic under the presumption that it "cleanses" the liver (Wong, 2020).

In folk medicine, dried dandelion root is often ground into a paste and mixed with water to create a soothing paste for skin disorders like acne, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, and boils.

Dandelion root is believed to have anti-diabetic properties due to a soluble fiber known as inulin. Inulin contains a complex carbohydrate known as fructooligosaccharide (FOS) which supports the growth of healthy bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and eliminates the unhealthy ones. This alone can increase insulin sensitivity by slowing the flow of sugar from the intestines to the bloodstream, preventing spikes in either your blood sugar or insulin levels (Wong, 2020).

Dandelion root supplements are also available in drugstores and vitamin supplement stores, along with tinctures, teas, extracts, ointments, powders, and dried organic root. These supplements require unethical harvesting, processing, packaging and in their process, emissions including; electricity, natural gas, fuel and the waste by the transporting trucks and the plants that create them. The carbon footprint of these supplements is huge. While, you most likely have dandelion growing in your backyard! No packaging, no emissions, no transportation costs, no production emissions. All you need to do is walk outside and put forth a small measure of effort to gather the dandelion plants for use.

After you have used the plant matter you can return it to the land, by composting! Kids love to pick dandelions and little did you know they were actually picking medicine.

By letting Dandelions grow in your lawn or garden, you are helping create environments for bees and insects to have food after their long hibernation over winter. Dandelions are often the first flower to bloom after winter and provide food the delicate ecosystem around us!

In this small way, as an herbalist, I’m trying to prevent pollution and reduce my carbon footprint!

Wong, Cathy. “Health Benefits of Dandelion Root”. June 24,2020. Verywellhealth.com. Retrieved from https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-benefits-of-dandelion-root-89103.