Concerning Dandelions

Much as J.R.R Tolkien commenced the Lord of the Rings with a chapter titled “Concerning Hobbits” so this Blog shall be  Concerning Dandelions.

Although the humble dandelion is not the stuff of legends, and is most unlikely to be journeying to Mount Doom for its holidays, it does still hold a place in in the chronicles.

Taraxacum Officinale being its scientific name roughly translates to “official disorder remedy” the official being used in this case to indicate it is an “official” medical species. The common name of dandelion is loosely translated from the French (Dent de Lion) the Latin (Dens Leonis) and the Greek (Leontodon)  to mean Lions Teeth.

Anyway, moving swiftly forward from the archaic (I don’t want you to click “P**s Off” and go back to watching Justin the Beaver or something equally non entertaining  and useless to society).

You should be aware, I hope, there are two things we all know about this wee piece of greenery. Firstly, it makes an nice drink (Dandelion and Burdock) that unfortunately went out of fashion much as everything else of the 80’s and 90’s did; The Lost Generation we wail, our reckless hedonistic lifestyle appears lost on the health fixated youth of today. Secondly, many of our fathers, mothers or gardeners extrordinaire will have been heard at some point in our childhood moaning about this perfidiously tenacious weed!

A WEED they say!

Well let me correct you.

Aside from our resident greenery enthusiast “Le Petit General” Napolean being absolutely crazy about dandelions (he is a rabbit by the way). My better half  and I enjoy the taste of a springtime salad composed mainly of the Dandelion  leaves 🍃.

During the winter-spring transition dandelion shoots are at their sweetest and can be added to salads with no beating around the bush! They are also awesome as a sandwich filler. Coming on to Summer as the leaves mature they start to gain an acrid taste that requires additional preparation (boiling will do)  before chomping.

Dandelion medicinal properties include the  stimulation of stomach secretions which help to relieve indigestion/bloating. The root has a restorative effect upon the liver causing it to regenerate and aid bile production. Last but not least the leaves are considered a diuretic that helps the production of urine/flushing of toxins and are an excellent source of potassium. How they rank against the banana I couldn’t say but they box carrots out of the ring.

All in all this uncompromising hardy plant deserves more attention than that of “weed” status. It is tasty, it is free and it is plentiful! To me this is a no brainer so the next time you pick up a “freshly prepared” week old salad at your local commercial  hovel take a step back, keep the cash and select a few choice leaves out of your garden, they will grow back swiftly, don’t worry.

A final note for all you lovers of the filthy vernacular; yes please! Dandelions are also known as “wet the beds” or “pissy beds” (UK) and in the USA “blowballs”….. really don’t know what the Americans do with their yankie doodle dandies but at least the phrase makes sense now.

Mon the dandies! (Scottish vernacular for “Come on”)