Dandelions…yes dandelions! It’s Latin name, Taraxacum officinale, loosely translated mens “official remedy for the disorders”; it ranks in the TOP 4 of ALL green veggies!
Used in herbal traditions all over the world; improves your liver and your moods (ranks right along with milk thistle for liver detoxing); stimulates the digestive organs; helps liver and gallbladder to release bile (means better bowel movements!); the root has been helpful in treating diabetes; contains pectin and fibre to relive constipation and reduces cholesterol; a natural diuretic; great for bloating, PMS or any sort of water retention; aids in reducing high blood pressure.
One cup of dandelions is: 147 mg of calcium, 244 mg of potassium, 203 mg of bone building vitamin K, and 3 g of fibre ALSO beta carotene, ranks 3rd for vitamin A…over 10 000 IUsOh yeah and 4944mcg of lutein and zeaxanthin.
So how do you eat it? (I know, that is what I asked too!) Great in a salad, alone or with garden greens. The bittersweet root works great in stir-fries, soups or sautéed with onion and garlic. The root can also be made into a detoxifying tea.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “a weed is just a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered”. Yes that means DANDELIONS too!
**NB DO NOT go out into your back yard and start munching…pesticides and herbicides, not to mention the local cat, are NOT things you want to put into your body.