Back Porch Herbal: Dandelion and Plantain

My two favorite herbs cost nothing at all other than time and presence. Dandelion and plantain grow prolifically around my property because I never use herbacide. And I view them not as noxious weeds, but as herbs necessary for my health, so they are welcome. Used internally, both contain diuretic properties, but dandelion, a natural source of potassium, doesn’t deplete that from the body the way chemical diuretics seem to do, and is one of the best natural diuretics around.

Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, is a perennial herb found everywhere. Unappreciated and typically viewed as a weed, few seem to understand how including dandelion root or leaf daily protects and tonifies the liver. For me, with rheumatoid arthritis, it also has antirheumatic properties which is a plus. One of the most difficult symptoms I dealt with was fluid retention. Because allopathic medicine focuses upon symptom reduction instead of root cause, there were no conversations about how I became ill in the first place. No one asked about my state of mind, or what my life was like up to the point when I became so ill. I chose to not complicate my treatment and I refrained from ingesting too many herbs. I didn’t want to upset any balance the meds were supposedly trying to create and additional herbal preparations would at the very least influence that balance. Now that I’m off all prescribed medication, dandelion, along with other diuretic herbs, has become a daily part of my herbal tonfication regimen. Herbs heal by balancing and bringing stasis back to the body. Disease is a lack of balance, and herbs gently heal by bringing stasis back to the body. A body in balance has no need for chronic illness.

Fresh dandelion leaf can be added raw to salads, gently sauteed, or infused in tea. Dried leaf also works well for tea. The root, fresh or dried, should be prepared using a decoction instead of an infusion. Infusions are typically used for more fragile herbs, while roots, seeds and bark are typically decocted on the stove over simmering heat for 30 to 40 minutes. Infusions are made by pouring boiling water over the herb and letting it steep covered for ten minutes or so in whatever vessel you’re using. Simmering over heat has a negative affect on fragile herbs. If using a combination of herbs, one would decoct roots, etc. first, then after removing the mixture from heat, add the more fragile herbs that require infusion, steeping for ten minutes or so.

Leaf can be collected any time during the season, but toward season’s end, one must be choosy because they don’t always look as good in the Fall. Roots should be dug in the Spring or Fall. All gathering should be done with respect and dignity, thanking the plant for bringing health to your life. Take only what’s needed, leaving smaller plants to grow into their fullness. Roots may be sliced to promote quicker drying, but typically I don’t unless they’re really big. I like the look of whole root. Plus, the root doesn’t degrade as quickly if left whole. But be prepared to have some heavy duty pruners on hand; whole root doesn’t necessarily break easily.

On the left is a picture of some whole dandelion root drying. It takes longer to dry this way, but I like it better. On the right is an example of slicing some of the larger pieces. After drying, I’ll store the root in a glass jar in the herb cupboard. I prefer glass jars to anything else, and have been known to purchase items at the grocery store for the jar they’re in. Amber is better than clear, but it doesn’t really matter if the jars are kept in a closed cupboard. Leaf can also be dried and stored for future use in teas, capsules and tincture.

Now plantain is the most amazing herb I’ve ever used. It can be used internally as a diuretic or expectorant, its anti-inflammatory property useful in hepatitis and dysentery; externally it’s used in salves, liniments and poultices on wounds, scrapes and insect bites. I love that all I have to do is to walk out into my backyard and find a nice plantain plant to harvest a few leaves from and itchy mosquito bites are a thing of the past. Plantain makes a lovely addition to salves and skin sprays and combines well with herbs such as calendula, mullein and comfrey. Infusing plantain alone or in combination with other herbs into witch hazel makes a nice cooling and refreshing skin spray for use in summer. Infused into a light carrier oil such as sweet almond or grape seed creates an oil that works well for inflamed muscles and joints.

There are two types of plantain. Greater plantain, plantago major, is shown at the right, while ribwort plantain has leaves which are slender. Both are medicinal and I include both in my herb cupboard. Infusions into oil can be accomplished by simply adding herb to a jar and covering it with your choice of oil. I prefer to set my infusions out by the she-cave in a tub of sand for a solar infusion. I let it blend for at least a month, preferably two if I can overcome my impatience, after which I strain, bottle and label it. Some herbalists can tell what a particular blend is by looking at it and smelling it. I’m not one of those herbalists. I need crib notes and labels.

Controlling inflammation and fluid retention are primary issues in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Fortunately I have a head start with cannabis as my primary medicine, but herbs such as dandelion and plantain to support stasis are a welcome addition to round out my treatment approach.

~Blessings to all, and blessed be the mighty herb!