Dandelion Information

Dandelion History

Dandelions have sunk their roots deep into history. They were well known to ancient Egyptian, Roman, Greek and Chinese cultures. Herbalists trace the plant's origins back to the Asian and European continents. The dandelion was most likely intentionally introduced to America for its nutritional and medicinal value. Some sources claim that they were brought over on the Mayflower during the first voyage to the new world. They were a common and beloved garden flower in Europe and a friendly reminder of home to those who first settled in the Americas.

All parts of the plant have been used for medicinal purposes, especially as a tonic for various Digestive disorders. Dandelions were first used for medicine in Arabia during the tenth and eleventh century, and they have also been used in traditional Chinese medicine for well over a thousand years. Prior to the 20th century, vitamin deficiencies were the cause of many deaths. Being rich in vitamins and nutrients, dandelions were used as traditional home remedies for many ailments great and small.

-The first mention of the Dandelion as a medicine is in the works of the Arabian physicians of the tenth and eleventh centuries, who speak of it as a sort of wild Endive, under the name of Taraxcacon. The name of the genus, Taraxacum, is derived from the Greek taraxos (disorder), and akos (remedy), on account of the curative action of the plant. The medicinal use of the dandelion is also reflected in the species name, officinale, from the Latin officina, which means "laboratory."

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Dandelion Reproduction

Dandelion ecology

For more information about the dandelion, check out the dandelion factoids section,
or explore some unique dandelion folklore, myths and legends.