Indigenous Medicinal Plant Padlet by Andy Hu

Dandelion

ah3348 — 2024-09-11 15:52:59 UTC

Historical Usage As Traditional Indigenous Medicine

ah3348 — 2024-09-16 15:30:58 UTC

Western culture typically pictures dandelions to be a weed, harmful at worst and annoying at best. But Indigenous medicine practices see the value in every part of nature. Dandelions contain a surprising amount of essential vitamins, minerals and fiber when digested. They can also help to reduce inflammation and constipation.

Which parts were used?

ah3348 — 2024-09-16 15:55:00 UTC

At the right stage of growth, dandelions can be completely consumed, from petal to root. The leaves, the roots and the flower are all rich with vitamins and minerals.

How is it prepared?

ah3348 — 2024-09-17 15:29:02 UTC

There are many different ways to prepare dandelions into a consumable or applicable form. Leaves can be put raw into salads, or cooked like spinach. Roots can be boiled, baked, fried, or chopped and put into soups. The flowers can be eaten in salads or even fried into pancakes!

It can also be made into tea, by drying and powdering the roots, to help with the health of digestion, liver and kidney.

What Indigenous People Used It?

ah3348 — 2024-09-17 15:33:00 UTC

There were many Indigenous tribes that used dandelions as medicine. Most notably, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishnaabe (Ojibway) used them for food, and the people of Coast Salish discovered the medicinal value of dandelion tea.

Where does it grow?

ah3348 — 2024-09-17 15:38:44 UTC

Dandelions, being classified as a weed, spread EXTREMELY quickly and efficiently, and can be found growing abundantly in most places around the world. Indigenous tribes would have had absolutely no trouble finding plenty for medicinal use. Interestingly enough, they only spread to the Americas through European colonizers.

When/how is it harvested?

ah3348 — 2024-09-17 15:49:32 UTC

Indigenous people always treat nature with respect, and harvesting is no exception. They respect the plant as a gift, take only what they need and give thanks to the dandelion.

Usually, younger dandelions would be used for their marginally better taste. Old dandelion flowers and leaves are much more bitter.

How Is It Used Today?

ah3348 — 2024-09-17 15:52:36 UTC

In the public eye, dandelions are actually now considered more of a nuisance than a medicine, rich with nutrients. Which, to be fair, is not without reason - they do take valuable space and nutrients from gardens. Modern medicine has recognized the same values that Indigenous people used them for, mostly thanks to sharing of knowledge.