"Today I'm flying low and I'm not saying a word. I'm letting all the voodoos of ambition sleep. The world goes on as it must, the bees in the garden rumbling a little, the fish leaping, the gnats getting eaten. And so forth. But I'm taking the day off. Quiet as a feather. I hardly move though really I'm traveling a terrific distance. Stillness. One of the doors into the temple.
~Mary Oliver
Notes on Dandelion from Ana
Dandelion is one of the most common weeds on Earth.
Its ingenious seed-spreading adaptation is one of its most well known features, as the seeds are easily carried in the wind. And who isn’t drawn to blowing on dandelion to make a wish?
Makes me ask, Is Mother Nature suggesting a need for this plant almost everywhere man dwells?
The French "dent-de-leon" meaning, "tooth of the lion" seems to be the derivation of our North American common name, Dandelion.
If you’ve every noticed, the leaves resemble sharp teeth.
Dandelion greens and roots have both been consumed by many different cultures as a food source and are both nutritionally dense
Dandelion is a rich source of vitamins A, B complex, and C, as well as minerals such as iron, potassium, and zinc, calcium, magnesium, manganese, selenium, fiber, phosphorus, protein, silicon and bitters
In Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as European herbal Medicine Dandelion is used to support the liver and gall bladder, to promote digestion and to support the detoxification process.
The leaves have more of a noticeable effect for supporting healthy fluid elimination
Native Americans also boiled dandelion in water and took it to support healthy excretion from the urinary tract, skin health, and upset stomach
Dandelion grows wild on my favorite hiking trail. Some see it as a weed, I see it as a medicine and will often pick some and bring home to add to soups, salads and smoothies.
The root can leaves can be brewed to make an infusion. Some people use the root as a coffee substitute because of its nutty flavor.
It can also be taken in capsule and tincture form. Once again, I’m a big fan of Herb Pharm for tinctures.
One thing to note- when harvesting your own herbs, including dandelion, make sure you’re not picking from a place that sprays weed killers. I also like to stay away from consuming herbs that grow on the side of the road as they can collect toxins from cars driving by
I wear my own Shining Armor I protect my heart, body and mind I protect my home, family, space I wear my own shining armor I let him protect me, care for me, love me but I still wear my own shining armor I protect my friends and let them protect me when I need protecting I surround myself with those who wear their own shining armor I hope to be given the chance to protect, love and raise a strong child That will grow to wear their own shining armor I hope others find their shining armor when they need it. - SJ George
A Prayer
Refuse to fall down
If you cannot refuse to fall down,
lift your heart toward heaven,
and like a hungry beggar,
ask that it be filled.
You may be pushed down.
You may be kept from rising.
But no one can keep you from lifting your heart
toward heaven
only you.
It is in the middle of misery
that so much becomes clear.
The one who says nothing good
came of this,
is not yet listening.
Clarissa Pinkola Estés