The Artistic Farmer

Taraxacum officinalis. Compositae.                                                          

Found on open land, in meadows and along waysides. Leaves long, toothed; flowers daisy form, bright yellow, heavily honey scented, later forming white, fluffy “clocks.” The leaves and stem exude a white juice when pressed. This is one of the most esteemed plants of the herbalist, a favorite of the great Arabian herbalist Avicenna.

Use, internal:

For all disorders of the liver and bile ( especially jaundice ). A diet of the greens improves the enamel of the teeth. Helps in diabetes, obesity, over-sleepiness. It is blood cleansing, blood tonic, lymph cleansing.

Use, external:

The white juice for application to warts, old sores, blisters, and hard pimples. American Indians use the split stem, for applying by rubbing, to bee stings.

Dose:

A half-dozen or so leaves eaten daily. Being rather bitter, they should be mixed with some milder salad herb such as lettuce.