The joys of spring!
Have you tried to eat dandelions? Does it make you more comfortable knowing that grocery stores are starting to carry the leaves in the produce section as well as Dandelion root tea. Open your front door and go forging in your yard. I dare you to give it a try. Bellow I will provide you plenty of reasons why and how you should eat them.
Stay tune and I will post some recipes!
Benefits
Dandelions are extremely nutritious. The health benefit in eating dandelions are impressive and Im quoting gentle-stress-relief.com
- They have twice as much vitamin A in one cup then a one a day vitamin or carrots.
- Half a cup of the leaves contain more calcium then a glass of milk.
- “Dandelion root is a rich provider of vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, amino acids, natural sugars and starches. The roots are rich in iron, manganese, phosphorous, protein, aluminum and carotenes. They also contain calcium, chromium, cobalt, magnesium, niacin, potassium, riboflavin, silicon, sodium, tin, zinc, and ascorbic acid.”
- “The dandelion plant also contains many phyto nutrients such as sesquiterpenes lactones, sterols and flavinoids.”
- The fiber from this plant helps you feel full so it can be used in a diet to cut calories.
- If you are diabetic you can use dandelions to help stabilize your blood sugar.
- “Dandelion root tones, nourishes and strengthens the liver.”
- “Dandelion has also been used to strengthen and nourish the spleen, pancreas, immune system, and glandular system, circulatory and lymphatic systems. It has also been used by traditional herbalists to treat rheumatism and chronic skin eruptions.”
- “Dandelion is also said to help dissolve kidney and bladder stones.”
- “The leaf is also a “digestive bitter” which is said to increase hydrochloric acid in the stomach and help avoid tummy aches.”
How to eat Dandelions
The best time to gather and eat dandelions are when the bloom bud appears, before the stalk grows, after that and you risk the leaves tasting bitter.
- Leaves and flowers tossed in a salad
- Tea made from the root, leaves, and or flowers
- wine from the flower
- beer from the whole plant and root
- coffee made from the root
- Stir fry the leaves with garlic, olive oil, and soy sauce
- add flowers to yogurt
- cover the flowers in batter and deep fry
- Dandelion syrup from the flowers
Duh tip!
Do not eat dandilions from a yard that has been treated with chemicles nor where dogs have used the bathroom.
