Ode to the Dandelion

as featured in “LOVEFIT : The Shakti School Subscription” (June 2021 edition)

As a child, I remember sunny days in New Britain, Connecticut exploring my grandparent’s lush vegetable garden, the magical backyard birdhouse, and a field filled with fuzzy caterpillars and cheery dandelions. Memories of picking white balloon stems of these plentiful blooms and blowing carefree wishes into the blue sky are vivid snapshots in my mind. It must be then that my fascination with these wildflower “weeds” began. Since then, I've always been drawn to each aspect of the dandelion, from the wishmakers, to the way their yellow blooms speckle sunshine across a green lawn, and to their resilience as they peek their heads from between sidewalk cracks. To me, the dandelion represents a sort of radiant joy. It’s presence feels like that of an old friend - who continues to show up, reminding us of what needs to be heard.

“One potato, some celery, and a carrot.” I can still hear the echoes of my grandma’s voice as she explains to me how she makes her infamous lentil soup. Her South Floridian kitchen was a place that we spent a lot of time together - mostly eating (as Italian grandmothers would have it no other way) but also sharing stories of times past. She’d tell me of her life in Italy, of how she wanted to be an archeologist, that she didn’t like polenta because it was all that she ate during the war, and of her trip to America. She would always ask questions about my life and was such a good listener. 

A month before I would visit my grandma, she would ask what I wanted her to make. While everything she made was absolutely delicious,, I’d make sure to request homemade pasta - made from scratch and left to dry in the warmth of the screened porch,, roasted eggplant - drenched in balsamic and capers, and my favorite- dandelion greens - whose bitter taste makes my mouth water just thinking about it. 

Grandma Nina’s Dandelion Greens Recipe

Ingredients: 

1 bunch dandelion greens

3 TB olive oil

1 clove of garlic, finely chopped

4 cups water

salt/pepper (to taste)

Directions:

*Rinse the dandelions well and coarsely chop. 

*Boil lightly salted water in a large pot.

*Put the chopped greens into the boiling water until tender (about 10 minutes).

*Remove greens and let cool. Squeeze any excess water. 

*In a pan, pour the olive oil and garlic over medium heat. 

*Add the greens once the oil is fragrant. Saute for 5 minutes. 

*Add salt/pepper to flavor. 

*Serve warm/room temperature. 

While my grandmother only cooked the greens, you can actually eat all parts of the dandelion - roots, leaves, stems, and flowers. Along with being beautiful and delicious, dandelions offer a myriad of benefits for our bodies- including our skin. 

• Rich in Antioxidants - Vitamin C protects the skin from free radicals, inhibits melanin production, and evens out the skin’s tone.  

• Vitamins A, E, B, + K - These vitamins speed up healing by supporting the immune system while hydrating the skin. 

• Minerals - Dandelions contain iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium which contribute to glowing from the inside, out. 

In addition, dandelions can be used topically as tinctures and poultices or in capsule or tea form to help support healthy skin. As summer approaches, you can create a homemade dandelion body oil that will embody the aliveness of the season for those times when you might need a little extra sunshine.

Dandelion Body Oil 

*Pick dandelion flowers and let dry. Be sure that you are picking them in a spot where pesticides haven’t been sprayed.

*Fill a jar halfway with the gathered and dried dandelions. 

*Pour sunflower oil (or oil of your choice) over the dandelions to fill up the jar leaving a little room at the top.. 

*Cover jar.

*Set in a sunny window for 4 weeks giving a gentle shake daily. 

*Strain the flowers out of the oil. 

While this is a nourishing infused oil for abhyanga, it can even just be used on those spots that are dry, cracked, and needing some love. 

In 2019, when she was admitted to the hospital unexpectedly - the hallway outside of my grandma’s room was decorated with dandelion photographs. I saw this as a message of love and support of which in thinking about it- words can not truly relate. Upon her passing, I created a sort of altar space in my kitchen - in honor of her- adorned with a framed photo, some dried rosemary from her yard, and as every recipe she made would call for - “a little garlic and a little olive oil”. It reminds me of the many simple truths that she poured out of her being and into each delicious homemade meal that she created. After all, as she’d say, “that’s the Italian way”. 

During the COVID lockdown, there were so many creative online offerings. One in particular that I signed up for was to have my intuitive portrait made. Basically you send the artist a photo and then have a brief conversation with her on Zoom. From there, she mails you the artwork that she made based on all of that. When I received mine, it came with a note that said the dandelions in the artwork are my grandma looking out for me. 

I recently had a dream that I will remember for a long time to come. In it, I remember touching my grandma’s hands. I could feel her cool smooth skin and her loving supportive presence. This is the medicine that the dandelion has shared with me. 

May we all recognize the messages from the wildflowers that greet our paths.

(Please Note: While dandelions are generally safe, please check with a health care provider if you have gallstones, are pregnant, nursing, on medication, or are allergic to plants in the daisy family.)