Page 25 - Kallima Newsletter - April - May 2021

Aprils H b of the M th - Dandeli
♥ Botanical Name - Taraxacum Officinale
♥ Folk Names - Blowball, Cankerwort, Lion’s Tooth, Priest’s Crown, Puffball, Swine Snout, Irish Daisy
Telltime, White Endive, Wild Endive, Monk’s Head
♥ Magickal Uses - Divination, Wishes, Calling Spirits
♥ Planet - Jupiter
♥ Gender - Masculine
♥ Air Dieties - Hecate,Brighid, Belenos
Origins: The Dandelion though not occurring in the Southern Hemisphere, is at home in all parts of the north temperate
zone, in pastures, meadows and on waste ground, and is so plentiful that farmers everywhere find it a troublesome weed, for though its flowers are more conspicuous in the earlier months of the summer, it may be found in bloom, and consequently also prolifically dispersing its seeds, almost throughout the year.
Cultivation: The root is perennial and tapering, simple or more or less branched, attaining in a good soil a length of a foot or more and 1/2 inch to an inch in diameter. Old roots divide at the crown into several heads. The root is fleshy and brittle, externally of a dark brown, internally white and abounding in an inodorous milky juice of bitter, but not disagreeable taste. The roots are generally dried whole, but the largest ones may sometimes be cut transversely into pieces 3 to 6 inches long. Collected wild roots are, however, seldom large enough to necessitate cutting. Drying will probably take about a fortnight. When finished, the roots should be hard and brittle enough to snap, and the inside of the roots white, not grey. The roots should be kept in a dry place after drying, to avoid mould, preferably in tins to prevent the attacks of moths and beetles. Dried Dandelion is exceedingly liable to the attacks of maggots and should not be kept beyond one season.
Part Used: The root, fresh and dried, the young tops. All parts of the plant contain a somewhat bitter, milky juice (latex), but the juice of the root being still more powerful is the part of the plant most used for medicinal purposes.
Medicinal Action and Uses: Diuretic, tonic and slightly aperient. It is a general stimulant to the system, but especially to the urinary organs, and is chiefly used in kidney and liver disorders. Dandelion is not only official but is used in many patent medicines. Not being poisonous, quite big doses of its preparations may be taken. Its beneficial action is best obtained when combined with other agents.
The tincture made from the tops may be taken in doses of 10 to 15 drops in a spoonful of water, three times daily.
Summary: Dandelian leaf tea can aid with water retention as well as helping issues with the stomach and urinary organs helping with gall stones, liver and kidney issues.
♥ Come & Grab some for yourself at Kallima ♥
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