Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), holds a special place not only in traditional herbal medicine but also in nature itself. After all, spring wouldn’t be the same without dandelions!
Each year we look forward to the bright yellow blooms spreading across lawns and meadows, lighting them up like little suns and announcing that winter is truly over. When dandelions appear and children start weaving flower crowns, spring is in full swing, and there’s no need to fear winter’s return.
A Plant Surrounded by Folklore
Many folk traditions are connected to dandelions. According to one popular belief, if you blow on the fluffy seed head while making a wish, your wish will come true. In old European traditions, dandelion was associated with solar energy and thought to bring joy and vitality. Young girls once used it for fortune-telling — the number of seeds left after blowing was said to predict how many years remained until marriage.
How Herbalists Use Dandelion
Dandelion remains a valuable medicinal herb today and is widely used in natural remedies. Different parts of the plant are harvested at different times of year, each offering specific benefits.
In spring, the young, tender leaves are gathered for salads and tinctures. The flowers are picked once fully open, ideally in the late morning when their active compounds are most concentrated. The root is dug up either early in spring or in fall, when its potency is strongest.
After harvesting, the plant parts are dried in a shaded, well-ventilated space to preserve their properties. Roots may also be gently dried at low temperatures to prevent loss of beneficial compounds.
Refreshing Dandelion Leaf Salad
You‘ll Need:
- a handful of young dandelion leaves
- a handful of arugula
- 5 cherry tomatoes
- 3 radishes
- a handful of dried cranberries
- balsamic vinegar
- olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
Combine the dandelion leaves with arugula. Add sliced radishes, halved cherry tomatoes, and dried cranberries. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then finish with a splash of balsamic vinegar.
This refreshing salad not only tastes bright and fresh but also supports digestion and provides valuable vitamins and minerals.
This blog post is an excerpt from the upcoming Spring Issue My Herbs 35, coming out on March 20, 2026. Order your subscription now to receive it in your mailbox, hot off the press!
