El dandelion It is an annual herbaceous plant, small in size, but with a high medicinal and nutritional value. For many it is a weed, a species that should be eradicated as soon as possible; but the truth is that it is precious, especially when its seeds are blown away by the wind. In addition, it is very useful for people.
It multiplies very easily and quickly, so do not hesitate to reserve a space in your garden or orchard. Surely you will not regret it after all that we are going to tell you below.
Dandelion characteristics
It is one of the most respected and considered medicinal plants today, but nevertheless, it is vulgar, as it grows spontaneously and is often treated as a "weed".
It is a plant that also has no stem and is consisting of a rosette of leaves that comes directly from the root (from the ground). The leaves are elongated and cut down to the midrib, forming segments similar to that of the "Dandelion".
Each leaf can have up to 15 of these segments, leaving the petiole and midrib with a winged expansion. The lateral segments, are asymmetric and the terminal segment is approximately triangular.
The flowers are yellow and hermaphrodites and it is that the flowers of the «Dandelion» have an interesting characteristic that is common to many other flowers of the same type, these are closed at night and on gray or rainy days. They close and open, close and open, until they finally close for several days and transform into fruits or seeds whose structure is conducive to allowing them to fly apart with the wind.
It is said then that the flowers transform into global structures formed by nuts and with a winged structure formed by a very fine stylet with silky hairs that they fly easily and are blown away by the wind, scattering the seeds.
Therefore, the plant is propagated through seeds, although some say that propagation by the help of worms is possible.
What benefits does it have?
This very common plant, in addition to forming part of the culinary cuisine of European countries, is being used regularly to add it to salads and juices, since it has a large number of beneficial properties for health, being used as a tea, for centuries and for various indications, since this tea, despite being very nutritious, has little caloric value, only 25 calories in a cup.
This tea is detoxifying, being appropriate when making a cleansing the body, especially after a period of exaggerations or accumulations, where we abuse substances that are not very healthy for the body, such as food and drink in excess.
Thus, the liver is the organ most benefited by the dandelion, as it helps you remove toxins from the blood and unclog the bile ducts. These benefits are one of the main reasons why the plant is so popular around the world, where several investigations have confirmed this property, especially in Germany, a country where it is widely consumed.
Dandelion properties
Purifying for the whole organism, treats arteriosclerosis, asthenia, osteoarthritis, cellulitis, gallstones, cystitis, cirrhosis, colds, cholesterol, menstrual disorders, diabetes, liver, hepatitis, obesity, gastritis, constipation, varicose veins and gallbladder.
In the kitchen, the leaves can be used raw in salads, cut into small pieces, although young leaves are recommended, harvested as soon as they start to grow, so they don't taste bitter.
Start adding dandelion daily to your culinary preparations and observe the positive changes in your energy level, vitality and well-being, since as we have said before, the plant can be used whole as a diuretic, to purify the blood, as a laxative, digestion facilitator and appetite stimulant.
From the root, massage oil is obtained, to treat rheumatism and also arthritis.
This is one plant not known to many, but that can bring us many benefits to our body, since it is usually used in natural medicine centers to develop some medicines based on this spectacular natural cure.
Dandelion cultivation or care
Image - Wikimedia / H. Zell
If you dare to have some specimens in your garden, patio or terrace, discover how to take care of them:
Location
It is a plant that has to be outside, in full sun. It is very important that it is in an area where it is exposed to the star king, if possible throughout the day.
Earth
It is not demanding at all, but it likes soils rich in organic matter and with good drainage. In any case, if you want to provide the best care, I recommend the following:
- Flower pot: fill it with universal substrate mixed with 30% perlite or similar.
- Garden: tolerates a great diversity of soils, including calcareous ones.
Irrigation
Moderate. The earth has to remain moist, but not puddled since its roots would suffer from excess water. For this reason, whenever you have doubts, it is best to check the humidity, and for this there is nothing like inserting a thin wooden stick to the bottom: if when you remove it it comes out practically clean, then you will have to water; otherwise it will be time to wait a little longer.
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It is interesting to add a little compost from time to time, mulch or another type of organic compost. In this way you will grow stronger and healthier.
Multiplication
the dandelion multiplies by seeds in spring. Each flower produces about a hundred, of which practically the majority will germinate. Therefore, it is advisable to sow a maximum of two units in the alveoli of the seedling trays (for sale here), burying them a little and keeping the soil moist.
Having the seedbed outside, in full sun, they will germinate in a matter of 3-7 days.
Planting or transplanting time
En spring, when you have at least 2 or 3 pairs of true leaves.
As you can see, the dandelion is a very, very interesting herb 🙂. I hope you enjoy it.
Very good considerations on medicinal plants!
If they have been used for so many centuries, it will be for something. No one can doubt its effectiveness in relieving different symptoms. In addition, they are totally respectful of us.