Taraxacum officinale

Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)

Deities: Chango, Freya

Element: Air and Fire

Dandelion flowerDandelion was such a beloved plant that the Europeans introduced it to the New World on purpose. That’s right homeowners, that pretty little yellow flower that you spend a gazillion dollars in herbicides every year trying to get rid of is actually useful.

Medicinal Uses: Dandelion is recognized the world over as a diuretic. The entire plant is edible; the young leaves are eaten as greens (which are high in vitamins A and C), the blossoms are made into wine and the roots are ground and roasted for a coffee substitute. Dandelion also has been shown to inhibit the yeast that cause yeast infection (Candida albicans). It is used as a digestive aid, increasing bile production which helps the digestion of fats.Bee on a dandelion flower

Spiritual Uses: Dandelion is one of the friendliest spirits I have ever met. Just because I was writing this article, dandelion’s spirit showed up and started tickling my solar plexus. Long has dandelion been used in divination and increasing psychic powers. If you are having problems getting happy, try contacting dandelion in any form. Dandelion can strengthen your inner spirit.

Dandelion, a member of the sunflower family, is a perennial herb that will grow anywhere. It has a short stem and deeply toothed leaves with bright yellow flowers that turn into white puff balls when it has gone to seed. When the wind (or your breath) catches it, the each white downy strand will become a parachute for the seed, carrying it away.