Is it really a bad weed?

I really like to look at the plants that are deemed “bad” and wonder why we would want to banish them.

Let’s take one of the most popular “weeds” out there and sort of pick it apart as to why we would want to kill it and even go a step farther and figure out what we could use it for.

It’s generally the first little sign of spring and let’s face it kids have an ability to sometimes see things we adults just miss. It almost seems like a natural reaction for a child when they see one, to pick it and deliver it to someone they love as a gift. They’re not only pretty but we can make a wish on its seeds and spread the wish afar. We can also use it for some great medicine as well as food. They are often sold in the grocery store as a nutritious “lettuce” but then why do we kill them?

You have probably guessed it by now but if not, I’m talking about the dandelion. This flower in my opinion is often under-loved.

Before we dive into the medicinal benefits of this yellow, vibrant little flower who is much bigger in benefits than her size allows to reveal, let’s talk about some of the fun things you can do with the dandelion.

If you love a good vinegar dressing that has a wonderful flavor that you can add to your pantry, why not give it a try. It’s also easy to make! Just take the flowers and leaves and loosely fill a jar with them and pour apple cider vinegar over it to the top. You can even add some of your favorite spices to make it just what you want.

You won’t want to put a mason jar lid directly over it because the acidity from the vinegar will eat away at the metal lid and you don’t want that in your jar. So, to avoid this, cover the jar with wax paper or plastic wrap and then put the lid on top of that so there’s no contact with the metal. Let this sit in a cool, dark place for 6 to 8 weeks, shake occasionally and strain at the end of the 8 weeks and enjoy!

Do you like Jelly? Yep, you guessed it, you can make jelly with dandelion flowers and it’s a tasty treat! You can even make pesto with dandelion leaves. If you’re interested in any recipes just ask, I got you!

Have you ever heard of dandelion fritters? You take the dandelion flower heads and turn them into a fried treat and if you want to make it extra healthy, I’d recommend using the air fryer and it does the job just fine.

I am not a professional wine maker or anything but one wine I have made was dandelion wine and let me say that it turned out amazing and I plan to make another batch, or 5 this spring.

But you didn’t come to read this just to hear me talk about all the sweets and treats you can make with dandelions, did you?

I will now move on to the medicinal attributes of the awesome dandelion flower, leaf and root. The fact that this entire plant is usable makes this plant seem so generous so…… again why kill it? Especially when typically, herbicides are used and they promote cancer cells, poisoning our water and soil and therefore kills birds and bees.

The flowers are a reminder when they first present themselves that winter is almost behind us and it’s time to get ready to bring on the upcoming season. Its also interesting that Spring is an excellent time to do a detox. You know, kind of like when you’re Spring cleaning and getting all the dust and grime out of your home after a few months of being shut in and windows closed and longer darker days. Spring is ideal to do a detox and dandelion is right there to support your needs. Dandelion is one of the best liver supporting herbs out there and the best place to begin a detox is with your liver and what’s even cooler is….

Its free…….

Only if you don’t kill it.

I must now be that crazy plant lady and put a plea in for the bees that love this plant probably more than humans do.

So, I always like to wait a little bit for the bees to enjoy her before I harvest. But, when I do I like to take some and leave some. I also don’t believe in taking more than you need or will use because the flowers provide pollinators with a good source of nectar.

One interesting thing that dandelion root is excellent for is Dandelion root coffee. Yep, you heard that right! 350 degrees and roast them for 40 minutes and you have something that many agree tastes like regular coffee. So, if you’re like me and love coffee but it causes your heart to race and you get too jittery even at the smallest amount, dandelion root might be your friend. 

Dandelion root is a great liver tonic but also helps your gallbladder by increasing bile flow. It’s anti-rheumatic because it stimulates cell metabolism in your body which helps assist your body to expel metabolic waste into the blood and therefore to be cleansed by the liver. It is also anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and has anti-bacterial properties. The root of dandelion is excellent for many things, but it’s prized for moving a sluggish and stagnant liver. A poor functioning liver is attributed to having poor digestion which can also cause acne, eczema, rashes and hormonal imbalances. The root has also been recommended for those with cancer as well as arthritis. It helps with your joints by removing fluid build up to help with symptoms like edema or hypertension as well as increasing nutrient absorption.

The leaves of dandelions can be enjoyed in your salads or taken as a tea like you would any other tea that you enjoy.

The leaves are also very high in potassium and if eaten regularly you should not have to worry about your potassium levels with a supplement. If you pick the leaves when they are small and tender, they are full of minerals and vitamins.

Some of those are vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, beta carotene, vitamin K1 and it stimulates your digestion system to be a healthy one.

I think highly of this little, yet powerful plant because not only is it food, but its medicine! Will you give this plant a chance and even if you don’t want to eat it, drink it as tea or coffee or use it in any way, just let it live and do its job for the bees or other animals that like to enjoy it?

Spring is near and I hope you will think of this write up as you see your first dandelion greet you for the season.