Many wild plants and “weeds” are some of the most nutrient-dense greens you can eat. It’s only in the past 100 or so years, as our food system became more and more industrialized, that wild-superfoods dropped out of our diet. Dandelion is one of them.
Dandelion is most often thought of as a pesky weed that likes to take over our lawns and gardens. They even pop-up in cracked sidewalks and pavement. Dandelion is invasive and pervasive. Lucky for us, it's also an excellent food and herbal medicine that anyone can find, grow, and put to use.
Dandelions are more nutritious than spinach, have 25 times the
Vitamin-A of tomato juice, and are a good source of calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and vitamins B, C and E. For many early settlers, dandelions made a life-saving spring tonic.
• The young leaves are tasty in salad if you pick them before the flowers appear to avoid too much bitterness.
Older leaves can be boiled, with a bit of salt pork or bacon, like collards, stir-fried with garlic and onions, or cut up and added to risotto or pasta.
You can use dandelion greens as a salad booster, to add some unique nutrients to the meal, and can also put them on sandwiches in place of less-nutritious lettuce.
Common health benefits of dandelion are:
1.Digestive Aid.
Dandelion root tea acts as a mild laxative that promotes digestion, stimulates appetite, and balances the natural and beneficial bacteria in the intestines. It can increase the release of stomach-acid and bile to aid digestion, especially of fats.
2.Kidneys.
This weed-like superfood is a diuretic that helps the kidneys clear out waste, salt, and excess-water by increasing urine production. This inhibits microbial growth in the urinary system too. Dandelion also replaces some of the lost potassium.
3.Liver.
Dandelion has been shown to improve liver function by removing toxins and re-establishing hydration and electrolyte balance. It also increases the release of bile.
4.Antioxidants.
Every part of the dandelion plant is rich in antioxidants that prevent free-radical damage to cells and DNA, slowing down the aging process in our cells.
5.Natural Coffee Substitute.
The roots of young dandelion plants are roasted to a dark brown color. Then, after steeping in hot-water and straining, it can be enjoyed as a coffee substitute.
6.Skin Care.
Dandelion sap, also known as dandelion-milk, is useful in treating skin diseases which are caused by microbial and fungal infections.
7.High Blood Pressure.
Urination is an effective way of lowering blood pressure. In fact, most of the modern medicines for lowering blood pressure are based on this phenomenon. Dandelion-juice, being diuretic in nature, increases urination, both in quantity and frequency. Therefore, it helps lower high blood pressure.
The list of benefits just goes on and on. If you’re using dandelions from a public place, just make sure they are not sprayed with chemicals.
Now, what do you Do with Your dandelions? Be sure to share it in the comments below.
NOTE: The materials and the information contained on Natural ways channel are provided for general and educational purposes only and do not constitute any legal, medical or other professional advice on any subject matter. None of the information on our videos is a substitute for a diagnosis and treatment by your health professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new diet or treatment and with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provide.
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