A close up image of the dandelion plant with two main yellow blooms while traveling on Bowen Island and Saltspring Island. — Read on to discover some fun and lesser known facts about the dandelion herb. Image via Pexels.

Plus Why It’s A Favourite Herb for Vacationing on Bowen Island

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is perhaps the most well known edible wild plant, as it grows just about everywhere, offering a distinct, pop of yellow (or a white puffball when it’s gone to seed) against a grassy background. One of the first flowers to bloom in spring, they attract not only pollinators, but also deer, Canada geese, and other animals. If you’re visiting us, you’ll find the most vivid displays of dandelions at Crippen Regional Park as a fun, outdoor activity to do on Bowen.

Welcome to Nectar Yoga Retreat’s wellness blog, where we share yoga and meditation wisdom, wellness tips, and other resources to help you feel and live your best. This year, we are publishing an article on a herb or funghi that grows here in the Pacific Northwest, spotlighting herbal benefits, their folklore and spiritual significance, and ecological role. In addition to discovering the benefits of dandelion and how to make your own dandelion root coffee (see below), learn how Yarrow impacts our energy fields, soothing Nettle tea recipes, and mouth watering pleurotus oyster mushroom recipes. Nectar Retreat attracts wellness-minded people from British Columbia, Washington State, and beyond, and is a Bowen Island vacation spot that’s been recognized by Condé Nast Traveler, who named it one of the best yoga retreats in the US and Canada.

While you read, have a listen to Nectar’s July’s playlist, themed Resilience.

Why is Dandelion So Special?

According to author and herbalist John Kallas of Edible Wild Plants, dandelion blooms open and close once a day for three consecutive days. On the fourth day, they open as seed globes, also known as puffbacks or faceclocks. He wrote Taraxacum officinale, according to folktales, the number of times you have to blow on a puffball to clear it of its fluffy seeds tells you the time, or whatever seeds are left after the three puffs. Perhaps not scientifically verified, but the game is fun nonetheless, as cheery dandelion energy usually brings.

Fluffy dandelion seed heads, sometimes called puffballs or faceclocks, scatter across a field of grass. — Puffballs are almost universally regarded as ‘wishmakers’, where you can make a wish, and blow the seeds into the wind. Image via Pexels.

There is a persistence and resilience to the dandelion weed. You can rip the dandelions out by their leaves, but the root will regrow the plant soon enough. When in bloom, the yellow dandelion heads can be harvested to make plant-based dyes that stay put and don’t run or fade. Anita Sanchez of Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners further adds to dandelions’ persistence and longevity. The lifespan of a single dandelion plant can live for several years, with the roots sinking deeper over the years and can grow as much as 15 feet deep. They can thrive in unlikely places; dandelion leaves can grow through concrete and gravel, this is the plant that always has the last say. From an ecological standpoint, the plant’s ability to survive in barrenness is what makes it excellent at creating drainage channels in compacted soils, resulting in aeration and restored mineral health.

The Health Benefits of Dandelion

The botanical name, Taraxacum officinale can be translated from its Greek source, with ‘taraxos’ meaning disorder and ‘achos’ meaning remedy. In this way, ‘taraxacum’ means the remedy for disorders. Dandelions have been regarded as herbal medicine throughout the ages. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans enjoyed the healing properties of the plant, and they have been used in Chinese traditional medicine for over a thousand years.

Dandelion leaves contain beta-carotenes that are good for the eyes, skin and hair. They’re also rich in vitamins B, C, E, as well as iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc. Taraxacum officinale is a diuretic (a substance that promotes lymph drainage, kidney function, and eliminating toxins), attributing to why it’s called ‘pissenlit’ in French, which translates to ‘piss in bed’.

In both Traditional Chinese Medicine and European herbalism, the dandelion herb is regarded as a natural remedy that boosts the liver, where it activates and nourishes the solar plexus, and stimulates production of bile.

According to herbalist and wisewoman Susun Weed, dandelion leaves are a digestive bitter, increasing hydrochloric acid in the stomach that will improve digestion and absorb more calcium from the food one eats. Weed also advises making a fresh dandelion flower tea by harvesting fresh, cleaned dandelion blossoms, placing them in a teapot with boiling water for an hour, and drinking it strained as a cardio tonic.

A photo of bright yellow dandelion herb blooms set against a background of green. This article discusses the benefits of the dandelion plant. — Since getaways are often about unwinding, renewal, and letting go of what doesn't serve, Dandelion is one of Nectar Yoga's favourite herbs as the plant is both physiologically and symbolically associated with these themes. Image via Pexels.

What is the Symbolic Meaning of a Dandelion?

Dandelions offer rich symbolism across many folk traditions. Some key symbolic and spiritual meanings:

Persistence, Resilience and Survival: Dandelions symbolize the strength to overcome challenges despite of the odds. Like the Hydra in Greek and Roman mythology, who sprouted two new heads for every one that was cut off, the dandelion roots clone when divided; a one-inch bit of dandelion root can grow a whole new plant.

Hope and Wishes: The blowing of faceclocks (or dandelions in a seed globe state) are often associated with the activity of blowing them away, and the seeds in the wind signifying dreams and wishes sent out to manifest one’s desires.

Healing: A multi-purpose holistic and herbal remedy, dandelions have come to be a symbol of relief.

When to Harvest Dandelions

Harvesting dandelion from your garden or foraged from the wild ensures it is fresh for your salads, sautées, tea or coffee substitute.Ensure your dandelion harvest is free of herbicides and pesticides, and always wash the plants thoroughly. While all parts of the plant are edible, each should be harvested at specific times for optimal flavor. Here’s how to get the best leaves, roots, and flowers from your dandelions.

Dandelion Flowers: Pick the flowers when they are newly opened, with all petals intact. To keep them fresh, place the stems in a bowl of cool water, away from direct sunlight.
Dandelion Leaves: The youngest leaves are the most flavorful, but mature leaves are still great when sautéed.
Dandelion Roots: Roots can be harvested anytime, but harvesting roots in the autumn are often advised by herbalists as this is when roots are most nutritious.

A red mug containing dandelion coffee made from roasting its roots. The recipe is simple to make and delicious. — Dandelion root coffee is one of the most healthful medicinal herbs that can be consumed. Dandy coffee recipe below! Image via Pexels.

How to Make Dandelion Root Coffee

Drinking a coffee substitute made from dandelion root benefits you by providing a nutritious hot drink without caffeine. The following dandy blend recipe is adapted from Wise Woman Herbal Healing Wise by Susun Weed

120 ml roasted dandelion root
6 cups filtered water
pinch of aromatics such as ground cardamom, cinnamon, fennel seed (optional)

Dig dandelion roots in autumn. Cut leaves off a short distance from root crown. Reserve the leaves for another use. Cut roots into 2cm lengths. Dry roots in dehydrator or roast in an oven on low (around 275 F) until crisply dry and toasted, but not burned. When cool, store them in a jar and out of direct sunlight.

When you’re ready to enjoy a cup of coffee, grind about 1 tbsp of the roots.

Brew in a percolator or in a small pot on the stove with about 2 cups of water.

Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Pour coffee into cups through a fine mesh strainer.

Add nut mylk or cream and/or sweetener if desired.

A left hand holds a half blown dandelion seed head, also known as a puffball or faceclock, to make a wish to manifest one's desires. — Dandelion is a symbol of wishes and manifesting. Image via Pexels.

Ways to Further Connect With Dandelion and its Energetics

Whether it’s directly working with dandelion as a symbol of resilience, emotional regulation, or physical well-being, here are two events at Nectar Retreat that are open to the public that relate to the energy of the plant in some way:

Moons + Blooms Series | The New Moon + Dandelion: Vitality + Abundance
Friday, July 5, 2024 from 6:45PM - 9PM
The Dome at Nectar on Bowen, limited parking available

Shaping Stress: Use Stress to Get Ahead not live in Chaos w/ Johnny K and Alex Cahuas
Sunday, July 21, 2024 from 12:30PM - 5PM
The Dome at Nectar on Bowen, limited parking available

For those who enjoy the meditative process of colouring, you may find the Pacific Northwest Nature Colouring Book to be a way to indirectly connect to dandelion and many other healing plants. Our in-person and online metaphysical shop, Nectar Goods on Bowen, also just recently received more oracle decks and books on plant medicine; come check us out!

In the 2024 monthly blog articles from Nectar Retreat, we explore various plants to enhance the bond between people and the Earth. If you’re new to Nectar’s Blog, we’re glad you’re here and encourage you to explore our recent articles on Mosses and Pines. If you’re particularly interested in niyamas within yoga, take a look at our related post here. Don’t miss our August post, where we’ll feature Burdock, a herb that does wonders for skin.

Additional Works Cited