Dandelion Magic

on rewilding our lawns...plus my favorite wild recipes :)

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When I lived in Denver, my “lawn” would have made many a homeowner cringe. But every time I stepped outside to say hello to all my botanical friends, I was filled with so much gratitude and joy.

I saw a field of yellow, purple, and green. I saw buzzy bees and fertile soil. I saw such a happy yard that lettuce and arugula from the previous year’s garden would sprout next to mallow and mustard. I saw a small patch of chickweed thriving under my great blue spruce. I saw my sweet woodruff blooming just in time for Beltaine’s Maywine. I saw emerging violets that would add a pop of color to my spring salads.

my Denver backyard weeds/pharmacy ;)

Now in Oregon, I’ve spent the past few years rewilding our once park-like lawn…

It turns out the secret ingredient to perfectly manicured lawns are massive amounts of chemicals, which we found stockpiled in the garage after moving in.

The first year, almost nothing grew in our yard. The soil was depleted and dead, with not even an earthworm to be found. We amended as much as we could, and started establishing new plants and earthworms throughout.

The second year, the “weeds” had a party. Like recent grads finding freedom away at college for the first time, they took over with zeal. I didn’t love all the varieties that joined the party…but we generally let them take root, both out of overwhelm and intentnion.

Overwhelm because no human could possibly keep up with their growth.

Intention because we knew they would help restore our soil to healthier levels…

The deep and spreading root systems of weeds can absorb key nutrients and redistribute them as the plants decompose. Different weeds exude organic compounds that feed soil microbes and some types of fungi, which creates a richer, more biodiverse soil ecosystem. Leaving weeds over winter can help retain moisture, provided shelter for beneficial bugs, and enrich soil as they decompose.

Dandelions, in particular, are stars of the rewilding show. Yes, they’re invasive and plenty of other plants are beneficial for pollinators, but for a yard in need, they can be golden saviors.

Their deep roots prevent erosion, airate the earth, and draw nutrients to the surface. Their leaves shade the soil so more microbes can flourish. And their sunny blossoms attract pollinators that benefit the entire garden.

Dandelions also absorb and accumulate heavy metals and toxins from the soil through a process known as phytoremediation. Then, when we remove them from the yard, they carry those toxins away, too.

The Healing Magic of Wild Spring Greens

Now, in our third spring here, our yard is finally starting to feel more alive. The earthworms are returning, and we’re starting to see wild flowers replace the more invasive weeds. Happily, the glyphosate is finally gone from our yard and the plants here.

And I’m able to enjoy our wild, edible “weeds” once again :)

Spring greens emerge after each winter’s slumber with offerings of fresh vitamins and minerals. Their bitter green medicine helps reset our digestion after the heavy foods of darker seasons. 

Even if you don’t have a yard, many of these plants grow in disturbed areas, cracks in the sidewalk, parks, trails, and alleyways...just be mindful of pollution and pesticides.

If you’re new to foraging, triple check your identification and do your research on the location for safety and sustainability. There is a ton of info on this online—please be responsible!

I love our dandelions. Not only are they one of the first sources of pollen of the year for our beloved bees, they provide us with both food and medicine. The entire plant is a gift. 

Medicinally, dandelion is a great lymph mover, liver cleanser, and supports digestion with its prebiotic roots and bitter greens. The flowers are also wonderful for the skin and contain pain-relieving properties. 

As a food, dandelion gives us a power-packed dose of minerals and vitamins—including iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, folate, manganese, and Vitamins C, A, E, K, and B6. 

Energetically, dandelion offers us the gift of resilience. No amount of pavement can stop these radiant beauties. No matter how depleted the soil, dandelion can help restore health. Dandelion’s sunny countenance connects us with the healing energy of the sun, which can support us in letting go of behaviors and thoughts that no longer serve us as we come more fully into the present moment.

Whole-Plant Dandelion Recipes

Dandelion Roots

Dandelion root is a tonic herb that supports the liver and digestion. Keep an eye on your spring blooms and come back to harvest the roots in the fall.

Wild Roots Kinpari

Adapted from Just One Cookbook

Ingredients

• 1 - 2 cups of root vegetables, chopped into matchsticks (burdock, carrot, dandelion, etc; the tender inner of broccoli stems also works well)

• 1½ Tbsp toasted sesame oil

• 1 Tbsp sugar

• 1 Tbsp sake

• 1 Tsp rice vinegar

• 1½ Tbsp tamari

• chili flakes to taste

• toasted sesame to garnish

Directions

Sauté veggies in sesame oils for a couple minutes, then pour over the remaining sauce. Cook on medium-high until tender. Garnish with sesame seeds.

Dandelion Root Coffee

Perhaps the best known use of dandelion root is for herbal coffee—gather, clean, chop, and roast. Then brew for a rich coffee substitute. If you do well with a bit of daily dandelion, you can add 1 part roasted dandelion root to the recipe found here.

Note on the coffee: The root is so incredibly cleansing that my body prefers to have it only on occasion rather than daily, but many people seem to do well with a daily dose. Listen to your own system :)

Dandelion Leaves

The leaves of dandelion are nutritive and bitter, making them a healthy food that supports digestion...and is free! Plus, they’re wonderful for nursing mothers. 

Greens are less bitter in the spring and can easily be substituted for any green in a recipe, cooked or raw. Here is one of my personal favorites, an original invention!

Spring Green, Tarragon, and Walnut Pesto

This versatile green sauce is inspired by Alice Waters’ salsa verde and packed with nutrients and wild food goodness. Though it doesn’t look like much tarragon, the flavor is just right. I used a wild greens infused ACV for even more wild goodness.

Ingredients

• 2 cups loosely packed spring greens (dandelion, blue mustard, chickweed, etc)

• ¾ cup walnuts, lightly toasted

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh tarragon

• 2 cloves garlic (more or less depending on how garlicky you want to go)

• 2 tablespoons capers

• ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tablespoon ACV

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until pesto-like texture is achieved.

Serve over pasta, on flatbread, in salad dressings, or with roasted vegetables.

I served this with a spaghetti squash primavera topped with Rancho Gordo Christmas lima beans and it was absolutely divine.

Dandelion Flowers

Another edible part of the plant, dandelion flowers are great for the skin and have pain-relieving properties—plus they make a lovely flower essence. 

Dandelion Salve

Begin by infusing freshly wilted dandelion blossoms in oil. Any type of oil will do—jojoba, sunflower, sweet almond, coconut, olive...use what you have. 

Place the dandelion flowers in a mason jar. I like to allow them to wilt just a bit—this gives little bugs a chance to escape and takes out a bit of the water content. Then, cover in a mason jar with oil and let sit in a dark place for a week or two. No need to take off the green bits or measure precisely—this is folk medicine :)

After about two weeks, strain the flowers from your oil using a cheesecloth or other fine strainer.

Here’s the general ingredient ratio for the salve:
You can adjust this based on how much oil you’ve made.

• ¼ cup (2oz) oil

• 1T beeswax or a vegan wax alternative

• 30-40 drops essential oils (optional)

To make the salve: 

1. Heat the oil and wax in a double broiler. 

2. Stir until the wax is totally dissolved and remove from heat.

3. Quickly stir in the essential oils.

4. Pour into containers.

If you’re making a skin salve, essential oils such as immortelle, carrot seed, and rose are lovely. If your salve is for pain, try peppermint, basil, and lavender.

Did you enjoy this article? Going to try any recipes? How’s your own yard doing this year? Let me know in the comments :)