Soap on my Barefeet

Something I read today from the Dandelion Campaign :

"Dandelion has a strong will and feisty spirit and will grow in the toughest conditions from a city sidewalk crack to a chemical-laden yard.  That strong will to survive is telling of the role it plays in its environment. Dandelion does a spectacular job of cleaning up toxicity in both the environment it dwells in and the human body.  Not to mention the joy it gives to children when they blow the white globe of seeds into the wind.  How smart of the plant to make it fun for people to spread its seeds!"


Okay- agreed bitters have a very important place in the digestive world. Dandelion being clearly one of them working very effectively. However, as I appreciate and whole heartily support the need to completely eliminate the use of herbicides for the sake of our drinking water, aquatic fauna and general cancer free health in all age groups- I disagree with the cavalier suggestion that "smart" people spread an aggressive and invasive plant by sending seeds airborne and it's "fun" to teach this to the youth. Is this campaign really reaching the people heavily addicted to herbicides and unlikely consumers of medicinal herbs? 


Instead, let's continue to teach all ages that the value in dandelion is in it's Root. That controlled management of the species, by removing flowers and buds, has more practical purposes in protecting our health. Let's limit it's existence and connection to herbicide usage and plant native seeds instead. 


Teach people to dig dandelion root up and bottle and cover it in vinegar or brandy to extract it's magical properties. Follow this by teaching them the abundance of flowers that remain should be collected for wine, and the roots sprayed with straight vinegar or boiling water verse toxic herbicides. Help them understand hydrology and run off principles. Educate them on the cancer causing agents found in Round Up and Defoliant Sprays and take them to a VA hospital where the Veterans that served in Vietnam have aggressive-metastatic cancers exclusively correlated with 2,4 D type herbicides (defoliant sprays). Stop using toxins that will bio-accumulate in the food chain. 

After this fully engaging, eye opening and educational experience teach them what oregon grape looks like or your respective native bitter herb. Have them discover how it propagates through it's fruit and sucker shoots and then plant some in your yard under trees replacing the grass. This will hopefully help children recognize the determined, mindless masses spraying toxic chemicals over their favorite garden nemesis is careless.


Granted it's possible this campaign will reach the rank of herbicide crazy people-but is most likely doubtful. But maybe just maybe it will reach a few previously irresponsible adults and affect a growing mass of young people who can make ecological connections. 

I admit I've made mistakes letting the dandelion go to seed but I'm learning to keep up with the mowing and digging, still making bitter tonics of Dandelion and teaching our son how to return our corner of the world to native habitat and vegetable gardens. Will we win the battle on invasive weeds? Maybe. But know it's okay to ask others if they'd rather drink vinegar or herbicide, suggest more exciting ways to damage weeds with flame throwers and campaign for walking barefoot on toxin free ground. The health of all organisms depend upon it.