Dandelion and Stinging Nettles.

Root washing outfits. Maya, Monica, and me.

We work Monday through Thursday on the farm from 8am-4:30pm. Some evenings, Fridays, and some Saturdays we have classes which range from medicine making, nutrition, essential oil distillation, the uses of seaweed, wild edibles, botany for herbalists, plant walks and more. Our days are packed with plants.

Nearly every moment of every day here is filled with most things that I want to fill my life with for always, working outside soaking in fresh air, rain and sunshine (especially sunshine), using my body, nourishing plants, seeing their daily growth, listening to their teachings, preparing food, eating healthy delicious food that comes from this land or that of our neighbors, learning how to heal my self and my community, making medicine with brilliant women, and taking classes. I feel like a 3-year old to our teachers, farm and landscape crews and my roomies. “What this? What is that? How come? wow! cool!”

We are surrounded by wisdom and healing, most of us just forgot how to listen and understand it, thankfully some remember and are kind enough to share readily and freely.

I have fallen head over heels madly in love with plants.

I found the following words by Richo Cech, who used to work for Herb Pharm, lives down the street, and runs Horizon Herbs (more on that later). Something nice to think about. Next time you see a plant, say thank you. :)

“We humans owe plants our very existence. For starters, we are completely dependent on plants for every breath we take. Plants are the primary producers of oxygen, the byproduct of photosynthesis. In addition, we are completely dependent on plants for every bite of food we eat. Either directly or through the food chain, we nourish ourselves solely by consuming plant-produced carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Also, plants give us fresh water, humus, building materials, fuel, fiber, cloth, dyes, and don’t forget shade (and shelter).” -Richo Cech

Last week we harvested dandelions and weeded rows of stinging nettles. Plants are food. Plants are medicine. There is no such thing as a weed, only a plant that is growing in a place that you do not want it to.

Dandelion harvest. Some rows still to be uprooted

Separating dandelion roots before washing.

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Dandelion wash.

Dandelion. Taraxacum Officinale.

Parts Used: leaves (diuretic), root (hepatic), flowers, seeds

Can be used to treat: liver and gall bladder disorders, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, anemia, type 2 diabetes, hypoglycemia, kidney infections, breast tenderness from PMS, menopause, osteoporosis, acne, stomachaches and more.

A classic spring tonic. All parts of dandelion are edible.

The main benefits of dandelion are exerted upon the function of the liver. It has the capacity to clear obstructions, stimulate, and aid the liver to eliminate toxins from the blood. Dandelion root helps decrease high blood pressure, thus aiding the action of the heart. It contains inulin and mucilage which soothe the digestive tract, helps friendly bacteria thrive and inhibits the growth of unfriendly bacteria. It helps to benefit digestion, assimilation, and elimination.

Although dandelion leaves are diuretic, they have large amounts of potassium and other minerals which replace lost minerals making it one of the safest and most effective diuretics available.

There is a reason it grows everywhere.

I got this information from our teacher Mark and The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra. If you are going to use it as food and medicine, don’t just listen to what I say, do you own research. Most importantly, ask your body what it wants.

Weeding stinging nettles.