Definition of a weed.......any plant growing out of place.

By Jayne Walker

Although it is the gardener's worst nightmare it truly is one of natures great gifts as a medicine.

Nobody knows quite why its called Dandelion– maybe the jagged leaf being the teeth of the animal combined with the yellow flower resembling its main.

The Arabs promoted its use in the 11th century and by the 16th century it was a well established remedy.
Culpeper called it 'piss-a-beds' referring to its diuretic properties.
Unlike modern diuretics it does not leach potassium as the leaves are so rich in the mineral it replaces what it uses. Isn't nature fantastic?

The latex contained within the leaves and stalks is very effective for treating warts, corns and verrucas. The same latex was extracted and used as a source of rubber during the second world war.

The flowers can be boiled with honey for coughs and apparantly make a tasty wine too.

Both the leaves and root have long been eaten as a nutritious salad & in the last century large leaves were cultivated as a vegetable.
Great for a spring detox as it cleanses the blood due to its diuretic and digestive qualities, being high in vitamins A, B, C and D.
The roots also make the best tasting coffee substitute.

So next time you're out weeding the garden and you come across those bright yellow flowers – remember its only growing in the wrong place.

I'm going to transfer them to a container for the kitchen window!

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