The Dandelion (Taraxacum) is seen as a great nuisance of a weed, but it is a herb with medicinal and
The Dandelion (Taraxacum) is seen as a great nuisance of a weed, but it is a herb with medicinal and indeed magical properties. They have existed for some 30 million years in Eurasia, and are said to have been brought to North America on the Mayflower in 1620. The English word “dandelion” comes from the French dent de lion, meaning ‘tooth of the lion’ and referring to their leaves. It’s also known as ‘witch’s gowan’ (gowan is a Scottish and northern English word meaning ‘white flower’), ‘Irish daisy’, ‘monk’s head’, and even ‘piss-a-bed’ owning to its diuretic qualities.Even today when much magic and folklore is forgotten, dandelions remain associated with wishes: make a wish, blow on a dandelion, and the seeds will carry your wishes to the gods, the fairies, your ancestors, or whoever you make your wish to. They can be also used in a similar way to get rid of something, like bad habits for example - blow on the dandelion with intention, and the seeds will carry away anything you find harmful. In Greek mythology, the dandelion is associated with Hecate as, for thirty days, she gave Theseus dandelions to eat in order to give him strength to slay the Minitour. And indeed they do contain high amounts of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, potassium, iron, and manganese. -- source link
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