This week we meditated with dandelion leaf, or taraxacum.

Sensory Impressions

Taste reports: A little bitter, vegetal (like chard), dull, a bit sour, wheat-like. Dry: smelled like hay.

Second tasting: grassy flavor

Dandelion illustration by William Kilburn, from Flora Londinensis

Meditation

•It seemed to show me tension in my body—restriction around ribs and jaw pressure. Then I relaxed and felt my forehead activate.

•I feel my jaw drop, relaxed and in "awe". I recently heard a study that "awe" was the best emotion for your health. My attention is drawn to the sequoias in the courtyard. The sequoias are large and awe-inspiring. The herb says, "No one ever says that's jaw-dropping when you do something quick, right?" Then my focus shifts to an area of the garden that has been cleared of weeds for new planting. "What do you normally do?" (You remove us.) "Look at the sequoias (so old). I want to say, 'They have been around the block a few times." referring to wisdom...but, haha, they have not. They have not been traveling at all, just growing in the same space. This herb is making me laugh. My jaw is relaxed. Relaxing the liver is another way to relieve tension and therefore can be "jaw-dropping". I am suddenly aware of how tense my neck and jaw have been for a long time. I spend some time stretching my neck and moving through the tension.

•Mostly, I was thinking of friends and random memories. At the end of the meditation, I saw people forming a big X (I saw this from a bird’s eye view)—they were shaking hands and meeting as friends.

•I had two stress dreams. The first was about being late for a class. The second was about running late in the morning. “I need more sleep!”

•The herb made me feel calm, stable, and supported.

•I saw my nipples dripping milk. 

•The herb talked about helping the kidneys release water. This, in turn, can support blood pressure if excess fluid is an aspect of the problem.

•The herb is helping me see how I can get the "fire" out. Meaning motivated energy that feels obstructed. I see a young person throwing political flyers around the courthouse; they are blowing around in the wind. The answer is blowing in the wind. The herb says, "Wouldn't that be annoying?" in a dry tone. 

•"Weedy things can accomplish a lot and be very annoying." 

Botanical illustration of a Dandelion (Taraxacum sp.) from "Köhler's Medicinal Plants"

Summary and Traditional Use

Dandelion is a traditional liver and kidney herb. Though I normally think of the root as the liver helper and the leaf for the kidney, these experiences lead me to believe the leaf still offers much benefit for the liver. In a previous plant meditation with dandelion root (4/9/2009) there was a strong image of a cross over (t-shape over the chest). This added a layer of meaning to the X of people described above. Another thing that came up was improving hearing and vision. In Chinese medicine, the liver is associated with vision and the kidneys with hearing. They function interdependently in the vestibular system, and a properly relaxed neck and jaw are also important factors for balance and spatial orientation. 

Dandelion has been historically used to detoxify the liver. The leaves are a food herb, so it is safe. However, it is a strong diuretic, earning it the nickname "bedwet".  It is considered one of the "best remedies for cardiorenal edema" (Wood, the Earthwise Herbal: Old World Plants). 

Emotionally, tension is definitely noted in its historical use. We all experienced tension/stress in our meditations. This herb is considered to be healing on an organ level. This is considered an herb for intense heat. This can show up as dark red or purple parts of the body (like lips, mastitis, knuckles with arthritis), or tongue, even to the point of developing a mapped tongue--cracking and peeling of the surface of the tongue. This herb is believed to support more extreme emotions, such as bipolar disorder and angry, driven men (again, Wood). A strained liver often brings anger and frustration. Liver qi stagnation is common in our culture. It can be due to diet, emotions, and external conditions. Examples of causes include: eating excess greasy, sugary, and cold foods, and unexpressed emotions, overworking, and abuse or oppression.

In one of the visions, political protesting came up. It can be very challenging to let emotions flow freely (which helps our health immensely) if you are worried about safety during oppressive times or when experiencing abuse. We can learn a lot about resilience and strategies for thriving from weedy herbs (like plantain, blackberry, etc). They know how to grow quickly and even take over in spite of adversity. I enjoyed the image of annoying flyers blowing all over the place like dandelion seeds! Once those seeds are released, they are pretty impossible to control. 

I am curious about the cross metaphor. As a cross, it does bring to mind their medicine being persecuted. As the X of people, it also had a flavor of community action. Perhaps indicating a rising to challenge harmful forces.

This is a great food herb for clearing sluggishness from the body after the dark months. It is certainly a great alternative to junk foods, and it would help restore balance after eating them. It is a stimulating herb and can bring new energy to stuck situations or emotions. If eaten or consumed as a supplement for too long, the body can become dehydrated. This is similar to nettles. So eat it as you wish, but be aware that if your skin or hair becomes dry, you may want to ease up. 

Dandelion is a galactagogue, meaning it does help with milk production. Furthermore, it is believed to help with issues that impede milk flow, like mastitis and clogged ducts. Because of dandelion's profound liver support, it will often be helpful when the liver feels strained by hormonal load. Some examples of this are during puberty, hormonal therapy, PMS, pregnancy, and the transition into menopause. 

Take some time to appreciate dandelion, especially if you are getting grumpy and stressed out. Sit on the grass, blow those seeds, and make a wish. Also, take some time to think about how you see yourself in the big picture. Not all of us are sequoias. Some of us are weeds, and it may be time to own it. Take your space and find ways to relax through tension and stake out some space for yourself, perhaps in spite of those who may be trying to edge your kind out of "their" yard. We share this planet. 

Invitation

Have you worked with dandelion leaf (or other parts)? Please describe any dandelion impressions in the comments below.

Are you interested in the Plant Meditation Club? Join here.