Monday saw me hauling home a collection of dandelion roots from my local community garden.

It felt a little like something out of a fairy tale—except instead of breadcrumbs, I was leaving behind the soil wrapped around one of the most resilient plants I know.

They had been unwanted and resigned to some faraway compost heap saved for hoodlum plants- they weren't even welcome in the regular compost heap!

They spread rapidly and seem impossible to eliminate (but honestly, why would you want to get rid of them?!)

And that’s part of why I love them so much.

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Even a tiny piece of their root can regrow into a new plant. Their resilience is incredible—they just won’t quit.

They’re a beautiful reminder of resistance, the quiet power of persistence.

In Scotland, people used to know dandelion seeds as ‘hairy witches’; if you caught one in the breeze, you could make a wish!

Its scientific name, ‘Taraxacum officinalis’, comes from the Greek ‘taraxos’ for disorder and ‘akos’ for remedy.

Dandelion lives up to this name and has many applications in my clinical practice. It quietly and steadfastly supports change from a foundational level.

There are no parts of dandelion that we can’t work with.

But now is the time for root medicine as we dive into the dark earth of winter and are asked -

"what are you made of?''

Beneath the surface stories, masks and expectations...

What strength of yours lies hidden in the dark?

I asked a version of this a few weeks back: 'Who are you uninterrupted?'

Dandelion can be an ally for you at this time of year as you dig deep and answer this question.

They remind us that transformation doesn’t need to be loud or dramatic. It can happen quietly, steadily, and from that foundational place.

If you are called to work with Dandelion, here is one of my favourite herbal preparations for this time of year:

You can go ahead and download the full recipe here and save it for later!

Once you've made your oxymel, I recommend taking a small amount daily (1 to 2 tsp) and spending 5 minutes journaling and connecting with the medicine of dandelion.

I like to ask the question:

"What strength of mine lies hidden, waiting to be uncovered?”

Let the medicine work its way into your body while your thoughts work their way into your journal.

You can do this for a week, a moon cycle or longer.

Each time you connect, you go deeper into the wisdom of your body and the spirit medicine of dandelion.

So tell me, what strength of yours lies hidden in the dark...

...and how can dandelion support you in bringing it out into the light?

I love your responses; you are why I write these newsletters, so let me know how your season is going!

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Warmest,

Wendy

Here's what's coming up if you want to work with me:

I have one space open-up in my calendar for a one-to-one Plant Spirit Herbalism client.

These spaces fill quickly, but if you miss out, I will re-open for new clients in February 2025.

I am running a series of in-person perimenopause and menopause workshops this year. Several spaces are left on the last date, December 8th. (All other dates are sold out.)

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