Dandelion Leaf – Taraxacum officinale

Flower

Fruit

Family: Asteraceae

Common names: Common dandelion…

Growing Region: Everywhere

Parts used: leaves

Harvesting/Drying

Cut plant just above the surface of the ground leaving the root system for future growth. Make sure all roots and foreign objects (stones, grass or tree leaves) are removed. In a warm place such as a barn loft or attic, either place plants in a thin layer on a screen if possible, or hang multiple plants together in small bunches. When drying any leaf or herb avoid sunlight as this will bleach the color of your herbs and greatly decrease their value.

If you prefer to hang your herbs for drying, do not tie the bunches to tight or the stems will mold. If drying on a flat surface turning daily is recommended to speed the drying process and discourage mold. Avoid combining fresh crops with dry or partially dry crops. When handling dried herbs take care to avoid crushing too many leaves and stems. Keeping dried plants in tact will often increase the value of your crop.The key to drying herbs, roots or bark is an even combination of heat and airflow.

Once your herbs are completely dry (largest stem will snap not bend and leaves will crumble) pace the herb carefully into a cardboard box or paper bag for storage in a dry area until you are ready to sell or use. Do not store herbs in plastic or it will mold.

Attribution (Images)
By Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler’s Medizinal-Pflanzen (List of Koehler Images) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
By Greg Hume (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons