- This topic has 21 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 7 years, 10 months ago by
Michelle Koch.
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Michelle Koch
Okay, so I know dandelion roots and leaves are good medicine internally, and even in a poultice, but what about the flowers? I’ve heard of using the flowers in dandelion wine…. The reason I’m asking is I’m wondering if the dandelion flowers can be used in topical preparations the same way calendula can.
Anyone know? Anyone want to speculate or put out a hypothesis? Meanwhile, I am about to experiment on myself. I will report back what I learn.
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Okay, so I put just a hair under one cup (not packed) of fresh picked flowers into a measuring cup and poured hot water over it. I covered it and let it steep a good 15 minutes or so (until cooled to tepid). I strained off the tea and poured into a spritzer bottle. I spray into my rash whenever it starts to itch, and it worked! One spot is very persistent, so I had to let it dry and reapply several times until it finally stopped itching. So now I have a substitute for calendula that is more readily available, and in abundant supply.
Besides myself, I want it for my grand nephew, who has some eczema on his scalp. I figure his mama can spray it on as a hair and scalp tonic, that won’t get his hair all goopy.
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IdahoHerbalist
When I first read it I was wondering why you were putting a hair under a cup…. :scared:
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:LOL: it DOES look a bit confusing at first, doesn’t it? (Cue the witch’s dance). :rofl: I just have to say, I am just so tickled to find an effective anti-pruitic remedy that is safe, natural, effective, has no side effects like topical steroid creams do, and is also FREE for the picking! I could stop practicing herbalism right now, I am that thrilled and relieved. (But I won’t–this is just the tip of the iceberg, I’m sure.)
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anti-pruitic
Is that one of the witch’s chants?
We try to not use fancy words around these parts. :confused:
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Pruitis: fancy dermatologist word for itchy skin
Anti pruitic: anti itch
For those who haven’t seen a dermatologist in awhile. 😉
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Just say itch and anti itch then!!! :face palm 2:
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Sorry, I’ve seen the term on bottles of lotion at Wal-Mart. I thought everybody was familiar with the term. :blush:
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Please, no need to be SORRY! HUMOR ALERT! :big grin: Lots of uneducated rednecks, well one anyway (me), that frequent this place.
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Okay, from now on when I use fancy doctor words, I’ll break them down, just for you. 😉
I thought I should add a bit of clarification to condition in using the dandelion flowers for, To help others who want to try it:
My rashes are triggered by accidental ingestion of foods containing wheat, which I am allergic to. In this case, imitation crab was my undoing. :irked:
My rash is MOIST, red, bumpy, inflamed, hot, itchy.
The dandelion is apparently astringent. It dried the hot spots out, and stops the itching (so I’m not tempted to scratch, which is the first step to healing). It is now beginning to scab over, and patches of new skin are becoming apparent as the middle of the rash slowly disappears, leaving a crusty outer edge.
I thought this information would be helpful to know, since there are different types of rashes, requiring different treatment.
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Dr. Patrick Jones
Very cool Fundog. Thanks for sharing. I’ve never used dandelion for pruritis…or for itching either.
🙂 Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.
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Okay, it’s been just two weeks and two days since I began spraying the nasty rash on my arm with a tea made with dandelion flowers. I’ve taken some pictures, to document progress. It’s slow going, but I believe it is healing faster than it might have otherwise. The rash began quite small in December, and continued to grow, despite using hydrocortisone cream. If course, I also was repeatedly ingesting foods containing wheat. :boggled:
Three days with dandelion flowers tea:
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Okay, if you just click on the picture, it gets bigger and longer so you can really see the whole thing.
This next image is one week with dandelion flowers tea. To be fair, I had also begun applying comfrey root tinture, twice a day on top of the dandelion tea, just two days prior to taking this picture.
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Okay the last one, two weeks with dandelion tea. I had actually stopped using the comfrey a few days ago, and my use of the dandelion tea has become farther between spritzes, as the itching has lessened dramatically. Hopefully the pictures are clear enough to see the improvement.
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I apologize for the blurriness of the last one. A lot of what you see in that last one is tanned, freckled skin, with a the remains of a raised edge and a few pink bumps in the center of it. It really is a fast improvement, and pictures simply don’t do it justice.
I think the most important factor in the healing process is not scratching — and the dandelions were a Godsend in that respect.
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I just had a thought! :scared: I bet if you would have applied some plantain as a poultice it would have healed even faster as it pulled the toxins out. Would have been good to take internally as well.
Were you taking any liver support herbs to help flush the toxins?
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I had been taking the Immu Kool, yes. And according to my most recent bloodwork, I’ve got the happiest liver in town. The NP said there couldn’t be a happier liver, lol.
When I was considering what to do about the itching, I had considered plantain, among others. In fact, I considered going with the venomous bites protocol. But I really needed something light and somewhat discrete I could take with me in a pocket or purse, and apply whenever I had the urge to scratch, as often as every few minutes at first. Itching is a serious problem– to the point I was drawing blood and making open sores.
And if someone with a similar problem feels the bite protocol or some other poultice is their ticket to healing, I say do that, definitely. 🙂
But for me, something Patrick says in each of his modules comes to mind, “If there is another plant not mentioned here that you have a special affinity for, use that.”. Lol, those sweet dandelions have stolen my heart . I think dandelions might be my botanical soulmate. :wub:
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Fundog wrote:
But for me, something Patrick says in each of his modules comes to mind, “If there is another plant not mentioned here that you have a special affinity for, use that.”. Lol, those sweet dandelions have stolen my heart . I think dandelions might be my botanical soulmate.
:wub: I”ll bet the dandelions are deliriously happy that you’ve discovered they’re good for something besides making your lawn beautiful.
🙂 Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.
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Oh they are! Now that they know they are truly appreciated, they are popping up all over, lol.
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Fundog wrote: Oh they are! Now that they know they are truly appreciated, they are popping up all over, lol.
You should see our place since Patrick came over and introduced us to “weeds.” Yes, I have brought in a lot of plants but there are some that just keep showing up. Keep an eye out for more of God’s gifts to pop up.
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Share the Joy! Your neighbors will thank you! 
Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.
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There ya go– God sent us children, to help spread medicinal plants. God is smart. :wub:
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