Many folks consider dandelions nothing more than a nuisance weed, but they counldn’t be more wrong. The Taraxacum officinale, the scientific name for dandelions, can be used for both natural remedies and as an ingredient in a plethora of recipes.
There are many varieties of dandelion leaves, some lobe (or segments) of the plant are clearly cut into segment, other do not have such distinct definitions. Rabbit, tortoises, pigs, small birds, and goats routinely dine on the plant, but horse and cow do not typically care for the bitter juice which exudes from dandelions. Some farmer claim that if you can get a dairy cow to munch on dandelion, milk output increases.
Dandelion root, both fresh and dried, and the young leave and top of the plant are have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. Many believe that the juice in the root is the most beneficial part of the wild plant.
Medicinal Uses
Although various parts of the dandelion have been used to treat a myriad of condition and ailments, WedMD caution that no scientific evidence is available to support the effectiveness of the homemade remedies. Some of the medical issues dandelion petals, roots, and young leave are used to treat include: gallstones, intestinal gas, loss of appetite, muscle aches, stomach aches, eczema, viral infections, cancer, bruises, and joint pain. Dandelions contains particle which may decrease inflammation and increase urine production, according to the medial information website.
Dr. Larry Coldwell had this to say about a recent dandelion and melanoma study:
“It’s now on record that chemoresistant melanoma is the most common form of cancer for a portion of North American young adults, those aged between 25 and 29. Knowing that the immediate physical removal of melanoma cells remains to this day a standard practice for such patients, it is vital to know some researched alternatives. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Ontario’s University of Windsor demonstrated that dandelion root extracts can efficiently induce apoptosis in human melanoma cells without causing any forms of toxicity in the process. In the initial study, the chemical reaction created by the dandelion extracts forced cancer cells to start disintegrating within the first 48 hours of treatment and at no time were all the other healthy cells affected. Researchers realized that continuous treatments with low-dose dandelion root extracts were effective in getting rid of most cancerous cells. The initial study turned out to be so positive that the research team was given additional grants in order to continue the project.”
A University of Maryland Medical Center study concluded that dandelions are full of vitamins A, B, C, and D. The wild plant also contains significant amount of zinc, potassium, and iron. Native Americans routinely boiled dandelion root and drank the “tea” to treat kidney issues, various types of swelling, heartburn, and upset stomach. Chinese medicine recipes also included dandelion teas to aid breast milk flow issues, stomach aches, and appendicitis.
A Mother Earth Living report had this to say about dandelion medicinal uses:
“Some of the first records of dandelion being medicinally utilized were of the Egyptians, described by a Greek scholar 300 years before Christ. However, it was the Arabian physicians of the Middle Ages who first “officially recognized the plant’s medicinal properties and named it Taraxacon, from the Greek taraxos, for ‘disorder,’ and akos for ‘remedy.'” Another folk name-related medicinal use comes from the French name for dandelion,“piss en lit”, or literally “piss in the night.” Dandelion has strong diuretic properties and was commonly used by 18th century French squires for gout.The uses of dandelion are as vast, boundless and varied as its folk names, including China’s more than 1,000-year use of it in the treatment of breast cancer, to being very “effectual for the obstructions of the liver, gall and spleen.”
Most dandelion medicinal uses studies have been conducted on animals and not humans. The wild plant has often been studied for its diuretic uses – increasing the amount of urine produced in order to rid the body of too much fluid, decrease blood pressure, and cleanse the liver. The root of the dandelion plant is also believed to possess mild laxative properties.
During lab test on mice, ingesting dandelion has helped to “normalize” blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol levels and increase HDL or good cholesterol levels in diabetic mice. All animal studies about a possible natural diabetic treatment have proved successful, prompting researchers to study the issue further before entering into human trials.
Dandelion Greens
The “young leaves” of a dandelion, after being blanched, are excellent for use in salad. The leaves of a mature plant often possess a bitter taste. Blanche the dandelion green in the same manner as commonly used for endives. Chopped dandelion roots from a plant less than two year old are also often used in salads, or washed an eaten alone.
Plant some dandelion seeds in a pot and cover the top with some rough litter, such as pine shavings, and come spring a multitude of young leave sprouts will be readily available for salads.
Young dandelion leave can also be boiled in the same manner as spinach, then drained and moistened with butter or soup, and served as a dish. Many folks simply sprinkle salt and pepper on the boiled leave and munched for a healthy snack.
Dandelion Coffee
Roast the dried root of a dandelion plant and use for coffee. Roast the roots just slightly until they have a coffee-type tint. Grind the roots into powder and use just like the sometimes expensive ground coffee available in grocery stores. Dandelion coffee is often made as a means to garner the medicinal value from the root. Mixing the coffee with chocolate to enhance the taste is commonplace. The root of the wild plant is believed to have stimulating properties for the entire digestive and nervous system. Dandelion roots may also help improve kidney and liver function and keep the bowels healthy.
Dandelion Wine
It may take several five gallon buckets on dandelions to make a good batch of dandelion wine, but the taste is well worth all the bending over it will take to collect the flowers. Pour a gallon of boiling water over about three pounds of dandelions and cover with a cloth and allow to stand for three days. Pull back the cloth or blanket and stir several time each day. Once the dandelion wine has fermented, strain the water away and boil it for 30 minutes. Add about three pound of sugar (loaf sugar is often used) and toss in a sliced lemon, one orange rind, and a little ginger for added taste and health benefits if desired.
Once the water has cooled, add a package of yeast (some pour the yeast on a piece of toast to enhance the fermentation process) and allow the mix to for two days before placing in a cask. Allow the wine to settle for two month before bottling or drinking. Many dandelion wine fan believe the drink is good for blood health and circulation.
Dandelion Bread
Make sure to gather only dandelions that you are sure have not been sprayed with a chemical herbicide, you only need the yellow flower for this recipe. The bread has a moist spongy texture and is very sweet.
Ingredients
- Approximately 2 cups of dandelion petals
- 4 cup of flour
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 4 teaspoons of baking powder
- 3/4 cup of honey
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
- 2 2/3 cups of milk
Directions
- Pull away and discard any greens from the yellow petals. Wash the flower thoroughly, using a strainer is advised.
- Preheat the over to 400 degrees.
- Combine all of the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir to combine.
- Mix the beaten eggs, honey, vegetable oil, and milk in a separate bowl.
- Grease two baking pan and pour the dandelion bread mix inside.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Turn the oven down to 350 degree and bake for another 20 minutes.
[Image Via: Dr. Larry Coldwell website]