01/12/2026
🌱January’s herb blurb focuses on an extremely common and overlooked garden herb, found right in your yard. The dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, plant itself has a variety of medicinal properties, many relating to the whole herb, but a few specifically to different parts of the plant such as the leaves and the roots.
🌱As a whole, taraxacum is a highly nutritious plant with high levels of antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin K, beta-carotene, and bioflavanoids. It is packed with B vitamins, minerals (potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron) and fiber (prebiotics for your gut), which can help with bowel regularity, reducing cholesterol, and blood sugar regulation.
🌱Dandelion leaves in particular, are natural diuretics, and can help with lowering blood pressure. It is also high in polyphenols, which help reduce inflammation in your skin and blood vessels. The leaves and roots also have anti-microbial properties that help support your immune system.
🌱Dandelion roots are known for their liver protecting properties. It can help reduce fatty deposition and oxidative damage to liver cells. Rat and cell line studies also show that root extracts can slow the progression of breast, liver, colon, stomach, and prostate cancer, which is highly encouraging.
🌱So instead of spraying these plants with w**d killer (which you shouldn’t be using anyway for your health), you can harvest them instead and make yourself a highly nutritious salad with a cup of medicinal tea to wash it all down.
