June: The Dandelion Box
O Dandelion
O Dandelion, as yellow as gold,
What do you do all day ?
“ I just wait here in the tall green grass,
Till the children come to play. “
O Dandelion, as yellow as gold,
What do you do all night ?
“ I wait and wait, till the cold dews fall,
And my hair grows long and white.”
What do you do when your hair is white
And children come to play ?
“ They take me up in their little hands,
And they blow my hair away. “
~Finnish Folk Tune
O Dandelion, as yellow as gold,
What do you do all day ?
“ I just wait here in the tall green grass,
Till the children come to play. “
O Dandelion, as yellow as gold,
What do you do all night ?
“ I wait and wait, till the cold dews fall,
And my hair grows long and white.”
What do you do when your hair is white
And children come to play ?
“ They take me up in their little hands,
And they blow my hair away. “
~Finnish Folk Tune
Blow-ball, swine's snout, priest's crown, monk's head, tell time, pissabed, lion's tooth...dandelion has many names. However it is referred to these days, it is often with disparagement. For many, the common dandelion is the bane of pristine lawns and every year millions of dollars are spent on chemical treatments to rid green spaces across the country of these abundant plants.
However, dandelion didn't always have such a bad rap; for much of its history the plant was beloved as an important food and medicine crop. The first written record of dandelion dates back to 1100 CE in an Arabic text that describes its long-established medicinal uses, and thankfully there are many who continue to work with and value the herb to this day.
Dandelions are often one of the wild greens included in the popular Greek dish 'horta'. Dandelion root along, with burdock root, remains a popular soft drink in the UK, since its origins in the Middle Ages. Late night talk show host and comedian Seth Meyers drinks roasted dandelion root as a coffee substitute (It's true! Watch this video at the 4:55 mark. But don't believe him when he says it tastes terrible. Dandelion root coffee is delicious!)
Herbalists have an ancient relationship with the healing properties of dandelion. Rich in vitamins and minerals it is a nutritive plant that supports overall health by nourishing the body. Dandelion also has a special affinity for the digestive system, especially the liver and gallbladder, as well as the urinary system.
"It is very effectual for the obstructions of the liver, gall and spleen, and the distempers that arise therefrom, juandice and the hypochondriacal passion. It wonderfully opens the urinary tract." ~William Coles (1657)
This month's box will explore dandelion's benefits and why it remains a foundational remedy in the herbalist's apothecary. I'm still planning the products, but so far the box will include dried leaves that can be used for tea or as a smoothie boost, a root coffee (my favourite coffee substitute), a flower shrub (so delicious and refreshing on a hot summer day) and a bitters blend to support digestion. You many also find a dandelion flower balm, infused honey, syrup or vinegar.
The newsletter will discuss the history and lore surrounding dandelion, how to work with the plant's healing properties, its nutritional profile and chemical constituents. The newsletter will also look at the current research on the root extract as a cancer treatment, how dandelion is being touted as a 'miracle cure' and how to separate hype from fact.
However, dandelion didn't always have such a bad rap; for much of its history the plant was beloved as an important food and medicine crop. The first written record of dandelion dates back to 1100 CE in an Arabic text that describes its long-established medicinal uses, and thankfully there are many who continue to work with and value the herb to this day.
Dandelions are often one of the wild greens included in the popular Greek dish 'horta'. Dandelion root along, with burdock root, remains a popular soft drink in the UK, since its origins in the Middle Ages. Late night talk show host and comedian Seth Meyers drinks roasted dandelion root as a coffee substitute (It's true! Watch this video at the 4:55 mark. But don't believe him when he says it tastes terrible. Dandelion root coffee is delicious!)
Herbalists have an ancient relationship with the healing properties of dandelion. Rich in vitamins and minerals it is a nutritive plant that supports overall health by nourishing the body. Dandelion also has a special affinity for the digestive system, especially the liver and gallbladder, as well as the urinary system.
"It is very effectual for the obstructions of the liver, gall and spleen, and the distempers that arise therefrom, juandice and the hypochondriacal passion. It wonderfully opens the urinary tract." ~William Coles (1657)
This month's box will explore dandelion's benefits and why it remains a foundational remedy in the herbalist's apothecary. I'm still planning the products, but so far the box will include dried leaves that can be used for tea or as a smoothie boost, a root coffee (my favourite coffee substitute), a flower shrub (so delicious and refreshing on a hot summer day) and a bitters blend to support digestion. You many also find a dandelion flower balm, infused honey, syrup or vinegar.
The newsletter will discuss the history and lore surrounding dandelion, how to work with the plant's healing properties, its nutritional profile and chemical constituents. The newsletter will also look at the current research on the root extract as a cancer treatment, how dandelion is being touted as a 'miracle cure' and how to separate hype from fact.
Boxes are offered with sliding scale prices. To learn more about sliding scale pricing, please read this post. But basically, in a nut shell (pun intended!), I invite you to pay one of the reduced fees, if paying the full price would cause you to be less secure in your ability to meet your food, health, housing or essential transport needs. To determine where you fall on the scale when choosing which price to pay, please refer to this infographic created by Alexis J. Cunningfolk (Click image to enlarge).
Large boxes contain 6 products. Small boxes contain 4 products. Taxes and shipping are calculated at checkout. Shipping costs are waived if you are able to pick up your box at the Just Food Farm (You will receive an email when your box is ready.) Shipping in Canada only. You do not need a Paypal account to make your purchase.
Payments can also be made by etransfer to: leighdoris at gmail dot com or cheque made out to: The Wild Garden, 2389 Pepin Ct. Ottawa, ON, K1B 4Z3
This box is now SOLD OUT and will ship and be available for pick upon June 12th.
Large boxes contain 6 products. Small boxes contain 4 products. Taxes and shipping are calculated at checkout. Shipping costs are waived if you are able to pick up your box at the Just Food Farm (You will receive an email when your box is ready.) Shipping in Canada only. You do not need a Paypal account to make your purchase.
Payments can also be made by etransfer to: leighdoris at gmail dot com or cheque made out to: The Wild Garden, 2389 Pepin Ct. Ottawa, ON, K1B 4Z3
This box is now SOLD OUT and will ship and be available for pick upon June 12th.
About the Herbal Box
The Wild Garden Herbal Box is your opportunity to connect with and learn about the wild edible and healing plants of the Ottawa bioregion. Monthly boxes are delivered directly to your door. Each month’s box will explore a particular theme and comes with a detailed newsletter highlighting the products for the month and is full of information, historical lore, recipes and more! Herbal boxes make great gifts and can be shipped directly to the recipient.
Monthly subscribers also enjoy membership in the Monthly Herbal Box Facebook group as well as free access to plant walks by the Wild Garden during the month(s) for which they are subscribed (material fees apply and pre-registration is required).
With an herbal box you can:
The Wild Garden Herbal Box is your opportunity to connect with and learn about the wild edible and healing plants of the Ottawa bioregion. Monthly boxes are delivered directly to your door. Each month’s box will explore a particular theme and comes with a detailed newsletter highlighting the products for the month and is full of information, historical lore, recipes and more! Herbal boxes make great gifts and can be shipped directly to the recipient.
Monthly subscribers also enjoy membership in the Monthly Herbal Box Facebook group as well as free access to plant walks by the Wild Garden during the month(s) for which they are subscribed (material fees apply and pre-registration is required).
With an herbal box you can:
- build your own home apothecary of healing plants and discover traditional ways of supporting wellness
- support local, small-scale, organic permaculture
- incorporate more nutrient dense wild foods into your diet
- enjoy organically grown and ethically wild gathered foods and herbs delivered directly to your door (all products are made from herbs that I grow and gather myself on the Just Food Food Farm.)
- nourish yourself and your family with local, seasonal products handcrafted with love in small batches
- learn about the wild plants growing in the greater Ottawa bioregion
- loose-leaf tea blend
- herb infused honey or syrup
- herb infused vinegar
- wild herb seasoning blend, dried culinary herbs, herbal salts and sugars, herbal powders
- wild food preserve (jam, jelly, fruit leather, pickles…)
- tincture or elixir
- herbal salve
- body oil, body butter or lotion bar
- herbal scrub, bath salt or tub tea
- loose or compound incense