Love those Dandelions!
An all-in-one free-for-all!
Isn't it amazing how so many common “weeds”, that grow around human settlements are beneficial to our health?
The Dandelion is very nutritious, having more vitamins and minerals than most vegetables. It has a long history of use as a food.. The young leaves are can be eaten raw in salads; all leaves can also be cooked or boiled as a pot herb all year round, although after flowering, the leaves should be soaked in cool water and even double boiled to remove bitter tannins. The flowers are often dipped in batter and fried and can be used to prepare a syrup very similar to honey. Wine is made from fermented flowers said by some to be very flavorful and medicinal. The dried roots can be used as a coffee substitute.
The whole plant is used as a medicinal herb.
External Uses: The fresh juice of Dandelion is applied externally to fight bacteria and help heal wounds. The plant has an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Staphococcus aureus, pneumococci, meningococci, Bacillus dysenteriae, B. typhi, C. diphtheriae, proteus. The latex contained in the plant sap can be used to remove corns and warts.
Internal Uses: Dandelion is also used for the treatment of the gall bladder, kidney and urinary disorders, gallstones, jaundice, cirrhosis, hypoglycemia, dyspepsia with constipation, edema associated with high blood pressure and heart weakness, chronic joint and skin complaints, gout, eczema and acne. As a tonic, Dandelion strengthens the kidneys. An infusion of the root encourages the steady elimination of toxins from the body. Dandelion is a powerful diuretic but does not deplete the body of potassium.
The many constituents of Dandelion including Taraxacin, Taraxacoside, Inulin, Phenolic acids (antioxidant), Sesquiterpene lactones (anti-inflammatory), Triterpenes (steroid precursor), Coumarins, Catortenoids (Vitamin A precursor and antioxidant) and Minerals, mainly Potassium and calcium. Dandelion is traditionally used as a tonic and blood purifier, for constipation, inflammatory skin conditions, joint pain, eczema and liver dysfunction, including liver conditions such as hepatitis and jaundice.
When placed in a paper bag with unripened fruit, the flowers and leaves of Dandelion release ethylene gas causing the fruit to ripen more quickly.
A liquid plant food can be made from the roots and leaves.