The Lowly Dandelion: Pesky Weed or Healing Herb?

Is there anyone out there who hasn't seen a dandelion? As a child I remember having contests with the neighborhood kids to see who could pop the yellow flower head off it's stem to sail the farthest. And who as a child didn't blow on the fluff that manifests itself after the blossom has faded, to make a wish and watch the seeds float upon the air?

As adults, we have pulled, yanked, sprayed, and dug up those pesky dandelions so that our lawns could be pristine and weed free. But seems no matter how hard we pull and dig, they always seem to reappear. Perhaps it's Mother Nature's way of telling us, we need to pay attention to what is put before us and to realize that everything, even weeds have a purpose. Here then is some basic information on the healing properties of that yellow pest, the Dandelion.

The important nutrients in the dandelion include vitamin A, in very high amounts almost 7,100 I.U.'s per cup of fresh greens. Also, B1, B2, B3, choline (in the root) C, D and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, with especially high amounts of iron, manganese, phosphorous and the electrolytes potassium & sodium.

People are amazed when told that the most common of weeds have the most nutritional and medicinal value. The accursed dandelion is indeed completely edible, (except the flower stalk) and not only are they nutritious but quite tasty. The Apache Indians valued dandelions so highly that they would scour the countryside for days to search them out.. Dandelion leaves are wonderfully tasty as a salad herb, if taken from well shaded plants from rich soil. However, the leaves of sunned plants are usually bitter. Rather than take just the leaves, it is suggested that you harvest the entire plant, root and all. The roots of the Dandelion are also nutritious and considered a "survival" food. They can be baked, or boiled and once cooked, chilled to be used as a salad ingredient. Roasting the roots until dry and then grinding them will result in a caffeine free coffee substitute.

But now for the healing and medicinal properties!!! First dandelion is a revered tonic for poor digestion and heartburn Used to enhance liver function the dandelion has been widely used for chronic liver disease. as in Hepatitis, Cirrhosis, Jaundice, Congestion and more. The despised lawn weed is a treasured depurative for Eczema and Acne, and has been tested as a tonic, diuretic and aperient. Until 1965 it was listed in the National Formulary and is still official in the British, German, Austrian and Czech pharmacopoeia's.

So the next time you're out in the yard and you start to yank out those pesky dandelions...try pulling up a few and tossing them in a salad, or roasting them for a caffeine free drink...You can't find a better weed than this....and you'll reap the nutritional benefits of all the wonderful vitamins and minerals this lowly plant contains. Enjoy!

References:
Alfs, Matthew, 2001, "Edible & Medicinal Wild Plants of Minnesota and Wisconsin" pp 110-115.