In spring beautiful Dandelions pop up all around us and these little beauties are a medicinal powerhouse. Pick the leaves and toss them in salads or make fresh Dandelion tincture from the whole plant.

SOME OF THE MANY MEDICINAL BENEFITS OF DANDELION

Excellent digestive bitter
Dandelion contains Inulin which helps the body absorb and assimilate nutrients
It's a Prebiotic that promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines
It stimulates Hydrochloric Acid (HCL) to break down protein in the stomach
Dandelion helps increase liver function and acts on the lymphatics and liver to remove metabolic waste products
It assists in overall blood purification

So go outside to a place you're sure hasn't been sprayed with harmful pesticides and pick those dandelions! Give an offering, sing a song or say a prayer thanking the plant spirit for the wonderful health benefits it's about to bestow on you, your family and friends.

HOW TO MAKE FRESH DANDELION TINCTURE

1. Gather the whole Dandelion plant including the roots, Run them under water to remove any excess dirt.

2. Cut up the whole Dandelion plant - root, stem, leaves and flowers

3. Add the plant material to a jar, pack it in tightly.

4. Cover the plant in 100 proof Vodka or pure grain alcohol. If you have 80 proof, you can use that too. Use a chop stick to poke around and make sure all plant material is covered and submerged in the alcohol. Lightly tap the jar on a hard surface to remove any bubbles.

5. Cover the jar and label it. Be sure to include the plant name, parts used (root, leaf and flower), date, alcohol type and proof, and where you harvested the plant from.

6. Share the jar as often as possible and let sit for at least 6 weeks.

7. When you are ready to use the tincture, strain out all plant material. Be sure to use a cheesecloth and squeeze the plant material to get all the liquid out (that's the strongest medicine!)

8. Add the liquid to a freshly cleaned, dark colored bottle and cover tightly. Store in a cool, dark place and the tincture will last for years.