The Dandelion! Most people hate it with a passion. Each year they spend money and time killing it from their lawns because they believe it is a pesky weed and therefore think it is an eyesore. I would like to enlighten you to the truth about this flower. Mother Nature (thank goodness) is wiser than humans and always provides vegetation useful in alleviating the human condition. For each human ailment, Mother Nature provides a remedy, and the dandelion is one of them!
Dandelions are related to the sunflower family and is commonly used as a food. Its leaves are used in salads and as teas; and the roots are used as a coffee or tea substitute when roasted. It is often added to regular coffee to improve the flavor of coffee. Dandelion leaves and roots have been used for centuries by various ancient cultures to treat liver, gallbladder, kidney and joint problems. It has been used as a blood purifier and to treat cancer. It has been, and still is being used to treat water retention.
Dandelion leaves and roots help stimulate digestion and are mild laxatives. The leaves and roots also increase bile production in the gallbladder, and bile flow from the liver. Because of this, dandelion is recommended by some herbalist for people with sluggish liver function due to alcohol abuse or poor diet. The increase in bile flow may help improve fat (including cholesterol) metabolism in the body.
Bees frequent the plant for its nectar, and many beekeepers swear dandelions help produce some of the world's best honey. Many wild birds rely on the seeds as a main staple of their diet.
The greens can be used in a variety of recipes and wine making.
Rich in vitamins and minerals; the leaves have a high content of vitamin A, as well as moderate amounts of vitamin D, vitamin C, various B vitamins, iron, silicon, magnesium, zinc, and manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon. The most active ingredient in dandelions are eudesmanolide, and germacranolide. These two ingredients are only found in dandelions and are responsible for the dandelion's cleansing effect on the digestive system and liver.
Dandelion can decrease serum cholesterol in some people. The root can be an appetite stimulant and can treat some digestive disorders. Today many herbal doctors use it to purify the liver and gallbladder of deadly toxins. Research indicates that dandelions can treat pneumonia, bronchitis, and other respiratory discords. It can improve general health, and is beneficial to the kidneys, pancreas, spleen, stomach, and other organs. Dandelion is also recommended for the treatment of tinnitus, tonsillitis, osteoporosis, abscesses, anemia, boils, breast tumors, cirrhosis, water retention, hepatitis, jaundice, rheumatism and warts. It may also be effective in eliminating age spots, and some people use the root toasted as a healthier alternative to coffee. Why? Because of it's wide vitamin content. It has more vitamin A than carrots!In short, Dandelion Benefits are:- a gentle diuretic
- can purify the bloodstream and liver, stimulating manufacture of bile
- decreases serum cholesterol and uric acid (uric acid creates gout, a form of arthritis)
- maximizes the performance of the kidneys, pancreas, spleen and stomach
- very beneficial to menopausal women
- effective in treating abscesses, anemia, boils, breast tumors, and cirrhosis of the liver
- may avert the development of age spots or breast cancers
- is a mild laxative
Are there any side effects or interactions using dandelion? Dandelion leaf and root should not be used by people with gallstones without supervision of a health care provider. People with an obstruction of the bile ducts should not take dandelion. In cases of stomach ulcer or gastritis, dandelion should be used cautiously, as it may cause an overproduction of stomach acid. Those experiencing fluid or water retention should consult a health practitioner before taking dandelion leaves.
The capsule form can be purchased from your local health food store or at online vitamin outlets.Recipes can be found online if you wish to pick some in your yard and experiment eating dandelion. Here is a simple one I found for you.Leaves must be picked early before the flower has opened. If picked afterwards, the leaves can be extremely bitter. Look for new plants, ones that have not even sprouted a flower, as these will be of the best quality. After gathering several handfuls, wash them the same as lettuce in cold water. Once clean, thoroughly dry by shaking and laying out on a clean paper towel. The earlier in the year you pick dandelion, the better. Spring plants always make a better salad than late summer or fall plants. Here is the recipe:
- Two handfuls of clean, dried dandelion greens
- 5 strips of fried crisp bacon, cooled and broken apart
- half cup of vinegar
- small red onion - diced
- 3/4 teaspoon of sugar
In a shallow pan of boiling water, add dandelion leaves just long enough to heat, drain water and add remaining ingredients, adding enough sugar to cut any remaining bitterness. You might need to experiment with the sugar. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve while still warm.Add raw dandelion greens to salads, or cook them like spinach. The greens can be found in the produce section of most health food stores, specialty markets, and some supermarkets. When buying, look for crisp, bright leaves, avoiding those with yellowing, browning, or wilted tips. Store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
So next time you look at a dandelion and panic thinking it is an obnoxious weed that must be destroyed because it is messing up the appearance of your lawn; think again! Mother Nature has placed a wonderful medicine and food at your fingertips FREE OF CHARGE!! Learn to take advantage of such bounty.....
Instructions for picking and drying dandelion can be found on Google. Let's begin looking at life a little differently and learn to truly appreciate the wonderful bounty that freely surrounds us... no going to the pharmacy or paying a doctor's fee. Globally there are over 100 species of dandelions. Mother Nature placed them before us for a good reason; and since the planet is the most polluted it has ever been, and people are more unhealthy than ever recorded, it might be a good time to look around, become aware, and take advantage of what has been given to us by Mother Nature to cleanse our bodies and become healthy.
A field of Dandelions.... free Food and Medicine for the taking
