Save the Dandelions
Dandelion is often thought of as a common useless weed. Many bring out the weed killer and wage war on this flower every spring. Dandelion war wagers might be a little less aggressive if they knew just how beneficial this herb is!
The entire dandelion plant is edible and useful from the root to the pretty yellow top. It’s a very accessible herb too. Dandelions grow everywhere! If you don’t have them growing in your yard, you can easily find them somewhere nearby. Harvesting this herb and making good use of it will be a great benefit to your family. Let’s Save the Dandelions!
Harvesting and Using Dandelion to Improve Your Health
Dandelion Root
The root of the dandelion purifies the blood, stimulates the liver, encourages healthy digestion, and stimulates the production of bile, which helps break down fat. Dig up the roots and chop them into soups or stir-fry meals.
The leaves of the dandelion help the bladder and kidneys function well and are high in potassium, iron, calcium, vitamins, and minerals. The greens can be added to salads or steamed and served with olive oil and lemon juice or an olive oil and raw apple cider vinegar dressing. Butter and sea salt are always yummy with greens too. 🙂
Dandelion Stalk
If you break open a dandelion stalk, you will find a milky substance that can be used as a natural wart remover. Put the liquid on a wart several times a day for 2 to 3 weeks and watch it disappear! As with most remedies, consistency is key!
Dandelion Flower
My girls honestly enjoy picking the dandelion flowers and eating them right on the spot, although some might find the flowers to be too crunchy for their taste in the raw state. Dandelion flowers are full of nutrition as well. One popular use for the flower heads is making them into jelly. You can find a great dandelion jelly recipe here!
Have you ever used dandelion as a food or medicine?
Don’t forget dandelion bread! We love it. The recipe is somewhere on my blog.
I will have to look up your recipe, Kendra! Sounds great!
I took a wild edibles class last spring and this is what I found out: You can clean and chop the root up, roast it in a low heat (200-250 Fahrenheit). Grind the roasted root, and use it as you would coffee grinds (for making coffee.) Has a similar taste, but no caffeine.
Sounds like a great, healthy drink! Thanks for sharing, Jenne!
I made a dandelion smoothie with frozen dandelion puree. 🙂 (and gathered more recipes and a pintrest board link on my blog this spring!)
We like to batter and fry dandelion flowers. The little pettles captures aop much batter, and the taste is similar to fried mushrooms. But honestly, I don’t know how healthy they are fried.