Herb Gathering 101 ~ Dandelion

Hello Everyone ~ I just had an amazing experience, and wanted to share it.  Last week I attended a herb gathering workshop.  Not far from my home, taught by a wise and happy woman.  Theodora is her name, know quite well locally for her gift.  It was myself and five others.  The focus of the gathering was dandelion, all the different uses.  Plus we made a tincture and salve.

Dandelions are everywhere, this time of year.  So go ahead and be a wish farmer (Thanks Siri) I am not going to go into detail as to what a dandelion is, we all know.  But I will say that the root, leaves, and flower are all medicinal.  Little golden delights just waiting to be harvested and put to good use. It is said to help purify the blood.  Which makes it excellent for your liver, kidneys, and heart.  Helps with urinary infections, and increases milk supply.  The list goes on and on.  If you aren't sold by now, just do a little research on your own.  We did harvest all parts, because they are so useful.  Spring and fall are the best times to harvest the root.  Which tends to have the most medicinal qualities.  But it is all good for you.

 

Gathering herbs for medicine is sooooo wonderful.  You get such a feeling of gratitude for this lovely planet we call home.  Plus its in our DNA.  We really are a gather type people.  Hairless beasts roaming the countryside gathering what we need.  Like I said, it connects us to our ancestors.  Plus this group of woman I was with, was really enjoyable.  Some I just met, others I've know for years, and one was even with me at one of my lowest points.  This thing called life, can have some moments.  Aww but it can be so sweet too, can't it?  Anyway the sisterhood was present, and one guys was there as well.

 

 

Let's take a minute to talk food ~ yes food.  That which nourishes us, and brings us together.  Dandelion greens make fabulous salad.  And they are so crazy ass good for you.  You eat them, and your body just says yes, feed me more.  Here we are running around buying "organic" brew haha in a fancy plastic tub.  While all this goodness is growing in our own yard.  Take a deep breath, connect with your inner cave woman, and go pick your salad.  As long as you are not a chemical sprayer, which you probably are not.  Plus you can infuse salad oil in dandelions, for added benefits.  You can also infuse the vinegar.  Soak the roots, flowers, and garlic in olive oil.  For a while a few weeks or so.  Strain and bottle, use on salad.  Do the same with good quality vinegar.  Put some edible flowers, feta cheese, and dress. 

 

 

There it is, Theodora's Garden.  Such a beauty of a place, and she maintains it very well.  Grave's Crick is quite lovely anyway, it seems as if all this earth mamma energy just funnels through the pass.  After we had out dandelion inspired lunch, we went down to the apothecary to create.  With our gathered dandelions we tore them to bits, placed in a clean jar.  Then soaked it in everclear, to make our tincture.  Here is something I learned which seems reasonable.  You gather on the new moon, and strain off on the full moon.  As a woman, this makes hella sense.  Plus growing up on the ocean, witnessing the connection between the tides and the moon.  We are what crazy percentage water?  Plus there is water everywhere, we are all connected, for sure.

 

 

Then we made a salve, which I have gone into great detail, in past posts.  Solar infusion baby, is the way to go.  The salve is very good for inflammation, glandular swelling, and just your basic cuts, scrapes, burns, and what not.  Tried it out last night as a eye make up remover.  Worked well of course. 

 

 

Anyway ~ I guess we are coming to a close.  I had such a wonderful time with these ladies, and one dude.  Theodora is such a wise goddess crone, excited to share her knowledge.  Its inspiring to see her, and know that my gifts will grow with time.  And I look forward to that journey.  Namaste.