HERBS TO YA....            and your Sheep

DANDELIONS

Coffee Substitute 2 tea. dried burdock root             Chopped 1 tea. each roasted chicory root and dried DANDELION 1/2 ounce licorice root 1 quart water Combine herbs and water. Simmer on low heat 20 to 30 minutes. Strain out herbs and serve. Sweetner and/or milk can be added to the tea if desired.   These herbs can also be found at your local health food store.

I have read many things about the healing effects of DANDELIONS, but it wasn't until one of my favorite ewes started showing signs of what I first thought to be mastitis, that I started researching the common "PESKY" spring time plant on my own.   Although I grew up hearing about   Dandelion Wine and tea made by some of my older family members, I knew the young leaves collected in the spring could be made into salads and I've heard some of the old-timers talk about how the root was dried and powdered to be added to coffee or used as a coffee substitute but I never realized the health benefits until recently.

The main benefits of this herb are its healing effects on the liver and Galbladder.(gallstones)  Its bitter substance called Taraxacin helps the liver get rid of toxins from the blood. It has been used to treat Hepatitis,swelling of the liver, Jaundice and Dyspepsia. People with low energy and lack of appetite were treated with Dandelion extract. It decreases blood cholesterol, Used for cleaning up obstructions of the spleen,pancreas,bladder and kidneys,stomach and intestines.   In ridding the body of excess fluid, Dandelion leaf tea is also a diuretic. Taken for fluid retention,cystitis,nephritis,weight loss. Dandelion root helps decrease high blood pressure. It can also be helpful in treating anemia by supplying necessary nutritive minerals. Used for kidney stones,helps fight osteoporosis.Used by arthritic patients.

I learned it can be use to help lower blood sugar. It was a remedy for Varicose Veins and night blindness. The bitter,milky juice had been used to remove WARTS. When the stomach is irritated, a decoction or extract of dandelion can be used to increase appetite and improve digestion.

I had called my vet to come and look at a ewe whose udder was enlarged on one side about the size of a basket ball. (This happened soon after she gave birth to a set of healthy twins.)   In waiting for him to show up,I had been going through many herb books searching for an article I had once read on the healing effects of DANDELIONS ON MASTITIS, I found many interesting things about this " Bitter Herb" Once used in THE LAST SUPPER!!!      The story was about a young girl in ancient China who was suffering from mastitis, with a triangular lump underneath her left breast. She was in so much pain and became suicidal. She tried to drown herself. A fisherman and his daughter found her. The daughter treated her with DANDELION plants that she cleaned and boiled. She insisted the girl drink the liquid while she crushed some plants and applied them to her breast externally.   The girl recovered and returned to her home bringing dandelions with her to plant calling them "Fishermans Herb." ( Asian dandelion is used to treat many infammatory diseases including mumps,tonsillitus,and mastitis.)   It was still early spring end of april and no dandelions up yet so I went to my local health food store and bought some dandelion tea and some dandelion pills. I came home and made some tea for my ewe. (I mixed 1 gal. hot water with 3 tea bags to steep. I then added 2 T. molasses to sweeten tea so the ewe would drink it and then I added 2 more gal.water to cool it all down. I broke the pills up and mixed in a little grain for her). She drank this right up. meanwhile, I made some more tea and soaked hot compress to hold on her udder.  (I was desperate to help this ewe because my vet could not come out right away and she was so enlarged she couldn't lay down.)    I did this several times a day until the vet could get there. She seemed to be more comfortable after a couple hours of this and did lay down. The Vet arrived (1 1/2 days later )  We found that it was  not mastitis after all but a blocked teat due to scar tissue. We used a teat dialator on her and drained 3 lb. milk out of that side of her udder.   This was not infected but very swollen due to the blockage. I kept giving her the dandelion tea and her swelling went down. I was also putting minced garlic in some corn twice daily for her.. There was never any infection which was a surprise to my vet.   He said it doesn't hurt to give the dandelion tea or just dandelions to the ewes prior to lambing. So I did.  After this was all over of course the Dandelions started popping up all over. I did collect them and dired them for future use.

Dandelions are full of Vitamins A and B

Please note, That these Herb pages are to be informative and to share some of my own experiences with herbs that I use myself and on my  animals. It is in any way intended to be used instead of seeking proffesional advice from your veterinarian or Physican.    Hopefully it will inspire you to do some research on your own of these wonderful plants and herbs that the Good Lord intended  for us to use while we are here.             There are many old time remedies that were used once for a reason but we have lost so much knowledge over the recent years when it comes to our health.   I encourage anyone to read more about herbs and health. More and more studies are coming out now that prove we can ward off diseases years in advance if we just Eat right and take care of ourselves. Planting a garden and some herbs might just be what you need!

HOME

Raspberrys for you and your sheep!