dandelion, herb of the lion dentist

The name, Dandelion, comes from the French, dent de lion, 
or tooth of the lion.  A couple common names in lore for this
herb are priest's crown, pig's snout, pee in the bed, fairy clock, 
clock, clock flowers, clocks and watches, farmers clocks, 
old mans clock, wetweed, blowball, cankerwort, puffball, and
wild endive.

The Dandelion, though not occurring in the Southern Hemisphere, 
is at home in all parts of the north temperate zone, in pastures, 
meadows and on waste ground, and is so plentiful that farmers 
everywhere find it a troublesome weed, for though its flowers 
are more conspicuous in the earlier months of the summer, 
it may be found in bloom, and consequently also prolifically 
dispersing its seeds, almost throughout the year. 
excerpt and more reading 
http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/d/dandel08.html

As a detoxification herb, it helps cleanse the liver by stimulating the 
production of bile and its flow to the gallbladder, one avenue through 
which the body naturally removes toxins.  Dandelion leaves are 
also a diuretic. Steep the roots to make dandelion tea, or add 
the leaves to salads.  Dandelion is simply one of those unglamorous 
weeds that you've been poisoning or pulling out of your garden 
and lawn, stepping over or on, and possibly tossing it aside.  
This beauty is one of the world's most powerful healing plants.
The entire weed  can build and maintain good health:
boost your immunity, strengthen your liver, help you build 
strong blood, counter colds and the flu, increase your vitality.
My first introduction to the hundreds of hidden magiks in our own 
backyards was by Susun S. Weed with her enormous steps 
to enlighten the populace. 
 
This green menagerie may have left our typical diet but maybe it was
hiding until we have found it again.  Wellness Mama is a superb source
to find out more on the dandelion. 

image My Pantry Shelf

image Lara Allport

installation Regine Ramseier

print Hey Harriet

a mandrake's scream

Hermann Peters 1899

Alruane

de Bry's Florilegium 1641

Tacuinum Sanitatis 1474

Folklore names:
love apples
root of folly
servant of health
earth apple
moon plant

Mandrake originates in the eastern Mediterranean 
region and is distributed throughout southern Europe, 
the Middle East and northern Africa, 
where it grows in waste places and abandoned fields 
in sandy and rocky, well draining soil.  There is also 
a species that is endemic to the Himalaya. 
Nowadays it is cultivated in gardens north of the Alps, 
but doesn't naturalize there, as it needs a warm 
and protected setting.  It doesn't tolerate frost well 
and in cultivation needs to be mulched during the winter.

It has a large, brown root, somewhat like a parsnip, 
running 3 or 4 feet deep into the ground, sometimes single 
and sometimes divided into two or three branches. 
Immediately from the crown of the root arise several large, 
dark-green leaves, spread open and lie upon the ground. 
From among these leaves spring the flowers, somewhat 
tinged with purple.  They are succeeded by a smooth, 
round fruit, about as large as a small apple, full of pulp 
and with a strong, apple-like scent.

The leaves are quite harmless and cooling, and have been 

used for ointments and other external application.

The fresh root and dried bark operate very powerfully 

as an emetic and purgative.  Mandrake was much used 

by the Ancients, who considered it an anodyne and soporific. 

In large doses it is said to excite delirium and madness. 

The lore of this plant runs from hermetic, alchemic, and
witchcraft.  The most spellbinding of them all is  
thought to be little dolls or figures given to sorcerers 

by the devil for the purpose of being consulted by them 

in time of need.  Alraune was the name given to these dolls.  

Originally, an Alraune might have been any talisman 

carved into human likeness and possibly inscribed with 

a spell.  The Grimm brothers later write how the alraune

answered questions about the future and told their owner

all they wanted to know.