Interestingly, during this time of year I’ve become especially obsessed with “D A N D E L I O N S” ... I’ve been on walks and looked out for big ones, small ones, aged ones, bright yellow ones, fluffy ones, the ones where you blow them and you can “tell the time”, dandelions that grow out of the walls, dandelions that will be perfect for the tortoises to eat, and ones in big open meadows and fields of wildflowers and buttercups! My fascination with them has grown since having the tortoises because I see them snack on them with such gusto and lushness that I’m out in search of the perfect dandelion every time!
I decides to do a mini-photography project (just on my phone, nothing fancy) and I realised that my village and within 3 miles of it, has an A B U N D A N C E of dandelions - as you can see if you looked at the photos first. I’ve even taken pictures of a bunch of dandelions left well alone during lockdown that are opposite my house - I keep seeing them bright and yellow until today when I looked and they have reached their end of days! I mean, I don’t know they may have been peed on by dogs or picked by the local children but they’ve remained in amazing condition and grown in love💛. I’m in awe of their perfect bright yellow colour, or #f0e130 to be precise!
Facts on dandelion: for starters and the first thing that comes up on a quick google find is that they are a one plant celestial lover! What does that mean? Well it means that it is the only flower that represents the 3 celestial bodies of the sun, moon and stars. The yellow flower resembles the sun, the puff ball resembles the moon and the dispersing seeds resemble the stars.
Plus, it is ALL GOOD FOR YOU ROOTS AND ALL! (thank you http://mydandelionisaflower.org/did-you-know/)
The dandelion is rich in vitamin A, and will make you pee too (this is what I remember from my childhood that if I picked one out of the ground I would immediately pee my pants!) Obviously, I expect one would have to ingest the dandelions prior to needing a big pee! And on that note:
Medicinal Use
The root of Dandelion is said to be diuretic (makes you pee). Some of its other common names suggest this quality: Pee-a-bed and Wet-a-bed. It is also reported to be a mild laxative, and the milky latex has been used as mosquito repellent. As always, use caution when using any plant for medicinal purposes. (thank you website http://www.naturenorth.com/summer/dandelion/Dandelion2.html)
Finally, on drinking - some even say you can make a great coffee substitute from it when roasted and made into a hot drink. The possibilities are endless (and on my doorstep!).
This will be my next move no doubt but I better get picking, maybe we can freeze some.
edit: rabbits love them too and can eat every part of them! Video on next blog (edited one year later when a rabbit joined our crew)
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