Today, I want to show you how to make a simple dandelion tincture.
Our ancestors have used dandelion for centuries as a blood builder, detox, and liver cleanse especially in the spring after the relative inactivity of winter months.
All parts of this fantastic ‘weed’ are used – the leaves as a spring tonic, the flower as delicious fritters, but today, I am concentrating on making a simple dandelion tincture out of the root to stock our medicine cabinet.
Dandelion is Taraxacum officinale, which means the “Official Remedy for Disorders.” It is so well respected, in fact, that it appears in the U.S. National Formulatory, and in the Pharmacopeias of Hungary, Poland, Switzerland, Germany, and the Soviet Union. It is one of the top 6 herbs in the Chinese herbal pharmacy. There is no known toxicity so you can eat as much as you like of the greens.
Dandelions are one of the most alkaline herbs you can eat.
The Practical Herbalist states, “It’s ironic that the poisons gardeners use to eradicate dandelions are the same toxins this plant offers to weed (remove) from our bodies.”
Considered a weed by most people, regulating dandelion’s presence for medicinal purposes is a healthful sustainable practice and would be at the top of my preparedness medicine chest list.
Health Benefits of Dandelion Tincture
The How To Herb Book gives us many of the health benefits of Dandelion root:
• One of the best-known blood builders and purifiers available.
• In pregnancy: Helps with swelling during pregnancy when used in moderation. Rich in Vitamin A, calcium, and iron.
• Safely reduces blood cholesterol.
• Contains excellent levels of Vitamins A, C, D, and B complex as well as iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon.
• Strengthening for the female organs. Excellent to prepare for pregnancy and estrogen balance. Hormone balancing.
• Overweight people when shedding pounds can become too acidic. These acids in the blood are destroyed by dandelion. It also supports digestion of fats.
• One of the best liver cleansers. It increases the activity of the liver and the flow of bile into the intestines.
• The flow of bile is a laxative which speeds the breakdown of various steroid hormones and indirectly has a favorable effect on eczema and skin breakouts.
• Contains all the nutritive salts for the blood. Dandelion restores and balances the blood so anemia that is caused by deficiencies of these blood salts disappears.
• Helps flush and clean out the urinary tract from the kidneys to the bladder.
• The herb to build energy and endurance and fantastic for too-low blood pressure.
• It is first-rate for use in hepatitis.
• Increases activity of the pancreas and the spleen.
• Helps clear skin disorders.
• It rarely causes allergic reactions, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal upset.
• Use during lactation is unlikely to harm the breastfed infant.
Make a Medicinal Dandelion Tincture
What You Need:
• a big bowl and gloves for gathering dandelion roots
• 2 year-old (it’s just older and thicker), actively-growing dandelion roots dug from a spray-free, pet-free yard
• a spade or small shovel to loosen soil from the roots
• canning jar with tight fitting lid
• vodka, 80 proof is fine
You can purchase already-prepared organic alcohol-free tincture here and save yourself the root digging.
Directions:
• wash off the soil thoroughly, remove any crushed roots, and leave root hairs
• chop the roots into 1/2″ sections
• place roots into the canning jar, cover with vodka plus an inch or so, and cap jar
• steep contents for 3-4 months in a dark cool cabinet to fully extract medicinal properties
• during this period, shake the jar 2-3 times a week to thoroughly mix contents
• when finished, strain off the tincture with coffee filter, etc. into amber bottles and label
• discard the exhausted root pieces
I save my bottles, rewashing them by hand, or get them here or here.
Dandelion Tincture Dosage
Dosage for dandelion tincture is 1/2 teaspoon 3-4 times per day for the root or leaf. Tinctures can be taken directly under the tongue and held in the mouth for a short time then swallowed, in a small amount of water, or in hot water to evaporate off the alcohol. When stored in a cool dark place extracts have a shelf life of seven to ten years minimum.
I store all the un-bottled tinctures tightly sealed in a dark corner of the old pie safe which is cool and not in direct sunlight. Remember to label and date your final product.
Once you can make a dandelion tincture, you are on the path to being more self-sufficient and can build your own preparedness medicine chest. I can’t think of a much more practical way to be an educated keeper at home. Enjoy!
*Never use dandelion if you have an obstructed bile duct. Also the Susan G. Komen Foundation states effect may be slightly estrogenic, but “the data is inconclusive.”
Note: I realize not everyone can get out and gather their own root.
Traditional Medicinals Organic Roasted Dandelion Root Herbal Leaf Tea is also a helpful product, and I trust this company so much!
“The art of healing comes from nature and not from the physician. Therefore, the physician must start from nature with an open mind.” -Paracelsus
***For the Full Spike Protein Protocol to protect from transmission from the “V” and to help those who took the “V”, go here.
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Medical Disclaimer: I am no longer a practicing medical professional, and I am not doctor. I am a mother. I do seek scientific confirmation of the safety and effectiveness of the herbs and remedies I use. Using remedies is a personal decision. Nothing I say on this blog is intended to treat or prevent disease. Consult your own doctor.
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heidi
This sounds so easy to do. And I agree we should start a save the dandelion movement. Why do we see something so healthy as a weed? Visiting from Wake Up Wednesday Linky Party.
Jacqueline
Glad to have you here, Heidi! I need to see if there is a local ‘Save the Dandelion’ chapter…heehee!
God bless you 🙂
Amethyst
Have you tried Teeccino dandelion teas?
Jacqueline
Amethyst, no I haven’t tried Teeccino dandelion tea. I love the slight bitter taste of a good dandelion tea, though!
Gaye
I have been making dandelion tinctures for over 2 years now, but my recipe calls for leaves, stems and roots and I use a blender to chop into smaller pieces; use a 2 to 1 ration of vodka to dandelion (ie 200 grams of chopped dandelion to 400 ml of vodka). I put into jars, as above, but only for 2 weeks. Have had fantastic results for increasing the enamel on teeth using this, too. Maybe making the pieces smaller is easier for the vodka to pull out the good stuff?
Magdalena Jedlecka
Good morning Suzanne, its fantastic what are you doing.. I love your description and receipt. My parents are collecting dandelions and my mum is doing jars of marmalade but I think by adding sugar it is not the best way to extract of the powerful ingredients of that plant. I will try to make your tincture once I am in Poland. Lots of love and all the best Magdalena
Alice Goncharenko
Hi Jacqueline~ I have been following you for a couple of years and really enjoy your content. You have a great balance of so many things that are important to me and my family. Thank you for investing your time for the benefit of others. I was wondering about recommendations – I just turned 50 and believe my hormones are beginning to change. My hair seems to be thinning too. I am already using some herbs, but I am looking for any help I can get. Thank you so much! ~Alice
Jacqueline
Hi, Alice! I’m sorry I am slow today! I will email you soon this evening. ~J
Jeannette
I have too-low levels of estrogen, DHEA, and progesterone. Also my cortisol dips low late in the day. I see my doctor soon for treatment, but do you think this would help? I am guessing that it sure can’t hurt!
Emily
Thank you for this post! I’m so glad to read you can (and should) use two-year-old dandelion. That’s what I have used so that I could have enough, although I was under the impression it should be a year old due to something I read on foraging. I
suppose if you were using it as food rather than medicine you would want it to be less woody, but to tell the truth mine wasn’t at all woody when I cut it.
By the way, after making a dandelion tincture with fresh roots, can you eat them?
Jacqueline
I don’t know why not, Emily! Now that I think of it, It would be a waste not to make a hot cup of tea and steep them first, then eat a few…
it is making use of the WHOLE plant! Great idea!
Emily
I’ll try it then!
Jeneen
Thank you for this post. It’s very timely in my continued efforts to be self sustaining and always healing. My question is: do you have other recommendations on the vodka, beyond the 80 proof? Such as brand? Need it be organic or not? And should it be grain, potato, or sugar cane based? Thank you as always!
Jacqueline
Hi, Jeneen! We have stopped using conventional (GMO likely) vodka for our tinctures and gone to only organic. I haven’t gone past that, though!
Have fun and I hope that helps!
Good health to you,
~Jacque
jana
hi just wondering what the source of the drawing of dandelion is ? just want to use it for university assignment. thank you.
Jacqueline
Jana, I used Smirnoff vodka for that batch. Here is a post on making tinctures that goes into more depth: https://deeprootsathome.com/double-e-immune-booster-making-a-tincture/
Hope that helps!
Blessings,
Jacque
Rose Nichols
I was wondering if I could use dried dandelion root to make this tincture. Thank you!
Jacqueline
Rose, yes, you can use dried dandelion root -whether you dig, wash, and dry it yourself, or purchase it in bulk! Have fun and God bless you!
Jacque