Close your eyes and make a wish.
A dandelion wish, to be exact.
For centuries, people around the world have gathered dandelions gone to seed for wish-making. Some legends say floating dandelion seeds become fairies that carry thoughts and dreams to loved ones. While holding their “fairy clocks,” the hopeful blow the feathery seeds into the wind, making wishes as they float away. In some cultures, it’s believed fairy wishes, or wishes on the wind, promise good luck and a happy future.
According to research, these dazzling yellow “wish flowers” originated 30 million years ago. Today, dandelions are often considered plain, ordinary—or a horticultural menace. However, these common flowers are much more than a weed to be eliminated. Across centuries and continents, dandelions have been considered a notable flower species with far-reaching benefits.
These miniature sun replicas are one of the first flowers in spring and one of the last to bloom before winter. The dandelion’s lifecycle is said to represent the sun, moon and stars. The yellow flower represents the sun, the white seed ball represents the moon and the dispersing seeds represent the stars.
From mountain meadows to cracks in the sidewalk, these resilient, adaptable flowers flourish. Starting early in spring, they provide essential nutrients for birds, bees, butterflies and insects, when other flower species haven’t bloomed yet. Not only are dandelions resilient, they also transform the environment. Their extensive root system loosens compacted soil, releasing nutrients and creating a nurturing setting for flowers and important herbivores and omnivores to flourish.
The dandelion’s medicinal and healing properties are extensive. Its Latin name is Taraxacum officinale, “the official remedy for disorders.” The Chinese first discovered the flower’s capacity to purify the blood and boost the immune system. By the eleventh century, Arabic cultures spread the word that dandelions were effective for treating liver and kidney illnesses. Soon after, dandelions became a staple in European medicine.
The dandelion’s merits don’t end there. They are also delicious and nutritious. Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, every part of the plant is edible.* Flower, leaves and roots. The green leaves can be added to a salad or sautéed in olive oil. The roots can be cooked like carrots, and the flowers can be eaten raw. In the Victorian era, dandelions were cultivated and included in many recipes.
Finally, dandelions are a favorite flower of children. Through a child’s eyes, dandelions are gifts just waiting to be gathered, loved and shared.
*If they have not been treated with and/or exposed to pesticides or any toxic substance.
