The Backward OX

I am writing about a rather ordinary guy who thinks he knows a little bit about everything. He wants to show off to his neighbour with his gardening knowledge, and decides to tell her to grow dandelions for their medicinal properties, but I don’t have any factual details on which to build my story.

Any knowledge you may have would be very much appreciated.

Edit - I’m also interested in the history of the plant generally – old wives’ tales or whatever.

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Originally Posted by Wildcard
I view with distaste the excretions polluting this site, suffering when I read another by-product of the boredom of one with access to a computer and the internet. As I read I feel I am being defecated on, and cling to an idea that one day I may find solace in the words of one who takes pride in their work.

DamionAlexander

mammamaia

i've heard of dandelion wine, but never tasted any... here's lots of info on the homeopathic qualities of the pretty little yellow lawn pests:

dandelions homeopathy - Google Search

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Hodge

The dandelion is one of the few wild plants that is entirely edible. You can make a tea from it, dandelion wine, or even an old drink called "dandelion fizz" that's carbonated (you stop the fermentation process before significant alcohol builds up).

Sounds very silly to suggest growing dandelions, though. It sounds almost fable-like...

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Science

ClancyBoy

you can also dry and brew the roots.

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The Backward OX

DamionAlxander, maϊa, Hodge, ClancyBoy
Thanks for the input. I forgot to include in my OP that I was also interested in the history of the plant generally – old wives’ tales or whatever.

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Originally Posted by Wildcard
I view with distaste the excretions polluting this site, suffering when I read another by-product of the boredom of one with access to a computer and the internet. As I read I feel I am being defecated on, and cling to an idea that one day I may find solace in the words of one who takes pride in their work.

Hodge

Or eat it raw. Or make a salad from the leaves. grind it into a powder and snort it...

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Science

The Backward OX

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Originally Posted by Wildcard
I view with distaste the excretions polluting this site, suffering when I read another by-product of the boredom of one with access to a computer and the internet. As I read I feel I am being defecated on, and cling to an idea that one day I may find solace in the words of one who takes pride in their work.

DamionAlexander

Dandelions are so prevalent throughout the world because people used to grow them as crops, and as anyone who was once a child knows, the seeds fly in the wind very easily. The Chinese grew them, the Celts, and even the Puritans brought them over to America...hence, dandelions all over the place. Chinese were the ones who first used them medicinally (as far as I know) (also I know they were used to prevent scurvy later on, but I guess that’s nutritional, not medicinal.) everyone else grew them as crops (weird, right) but eventually abandoned them for higher yield crops. But still the results are everywhere.

(How’s that for History?)