You may think the dandelion is a lowly weed, and although it is often regarded as a pest by gardeners, the dandelion has many beneficial uses!
Historically, the dandelion has been used for a variety of medical purposes and even today many people praise its curative properties. The root of dandelion can be used for a liver tonic, taken as a decoction ½ hour before a meal as an aid to efficient digestion. The Dandelion is also thought to be a good treatment for bile problems and an effective diuretic.
The whole of the dandelion is edible. Young leaves can be eaten in salads in the spring, and were an ingredient of a traditional spring pudding. Some people roast dandelions and use it as a substitute for coffee. If it is harvested in the autumn it is sweeter. Do be careful though, dandelion pollen can cause allergic reactions when eaten, or adverse skin reactions in sensitive individuals!
And even for gardeners the dandelion can be quite useful! The dandelion is a good companion plant, it’s roots will bring up minerals and nutrients for shallower-rooting plants. Dandelions also attract pollinating insects.
Did you know, in France the dandelion is called “pis-en-lit” which translates as “piss-a-bed”! This is because the leaves are diuretic.
(photo by mgpenguin86 via flickr)
2 comments
Charnock J says:
Dec 18, 2012
When i purchased a herb book some time ago (never lend books) i did not get it back. I remember that this Dandelion plant was a very benificial plant,in homeopathy some people are sceptical of this mode of treatment. It stated that the plant at a certain time of year was collected then boiled in an amount of water then that diluted 1 to 10 then again and that was used to treat eye inflamation. Memory is vague and it was important that only the required number of drops were used.
Linda Hearnshaw says:
Dec 18, 2012
I took some dandelion roots that we dug out from the herb bed at Art in the Park and made it into dandelion coffee.
I cleaned the roots really well and then roasted them in a medium hot oven for about an hour. I left them for about a day or two to harden. I then put them on paper and crushed them with a steak hammer. If you require them more powdery then you could grind them in a coffee grinder.
To enjoy this coffee you can put it in a pot with boiling water and serve with honey if you prefer.
This may be helpful as a detox, as it is a mild diuretic.