Fun With Dandelions

Dandelions are a common sight around Indiana this time of year. You probably see them everywhere: in your yard, between cracks in the sidewalk, even in meadows and the woods. Although we usually think of dandelions as simply common weeds, they are much more than that. In fact, they are a very special herb and a lot of fun to play with!

These bright yellow flowers grow all over the world and have for many thousands of years. They are deeply rooted in many tales and herbal remedies and are even known as “king of the herbs” in some places. 

The Celts (who lived in what is now known as Ireland) thought that dandelions were a symbol of the sun, which makes sense since they tend to grow right when the sun comes back to us at Spring Equinox. Therefore, they became a symbol of hope, summer’s bounty and Summer Solstice. Native Americans felt that dandelions were a symbol of purity and innocence. They were used in rituals and ceremonies as a symbol for body and spirit. Some cultures called dandelions “fairy clocks” because they open in the morning with the sun and close when the sun sets in the evening.

What we do know today is that dandelions contain potent plant medicine. As the world around us makes the transition from winter to spring, they blossom quickly. At the same time, our bodies are starting to emerge from winter’s cold and we may feel the effects of having spent much more time indoors, without as much fresh air. As soon as the sun of spring wakes us up, dandelions are there to provide deep nourishment to us and help our bodies feel refreshed.

Flowers: The bright yellow flowers of this “weed” can help to boost the immune system and detox the liver and kidneys. They can be used in baking, salads and more!

Leaves: Dandelion leaves are a great source of vitamins and minerals, stimulate digestion and can help our kidney function. Leaves can be prepared just like spinach or kale and eaten.

Roots: The roots make a lovely tea that many herbalists use to help with detoxing and digestion. 

Dandelions aren’t available in the grocery store like many other vegetables, fruits and herbs. Instead, you will need to “forage” or search for them in places where they grow naturally. Your own backyard might be a great place to start. You can also find them while you are hiking through meadows or open fields. 

Always make sure to have your grown up with you and check to see if the area may have been sprayed with pesticides. If it has been, you won’t want to eat anything you find because it could make you sick. 

Dandelion flowers are easy enough to harvest and leaves are too, but roots may require using a tool such as a shovel. Dandelion roots grow deeply into the earth, which is great for our yards, gardens and the ecosystem in general. In fact, they attract earthworms and help to break up compact soil so that more plants can have the chance to grow!

Place your dandelions into a basket or bucket. Once you get them home, it is important to rinse them off and shake them out. Separate the flowers, leaves and roots. Then, you can store the flowers and leaves in the refrigerator and use them as soon as possible. Lay the roots out on a paper towel or cooling rack to dry out. Check out our recipes and art projects that you can try with your foraged flowers!