The Humble Dandelion

Despite being dismissed as a weed Dandelion is an incredibly healthy plant. From flower to leaves and roots the wildflower offers a wide range of health benefits and every part of the plant is edible. Even better as the Dandelion can be found in nearly all parts of the world, it is easy to find and can be foraged wild and even grown indoors.

Overall the plant has a cleansing effect on the human body. It can also provide relief from upset allergies, lower cholesterol and more. Though the individual parts of the plant provide nutritive effects on health in different amounts.

The leaves of the Dandelion contain a full host of vitamins and minerals providing beta-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, iron, zinc, and magnesium. The leaves have more potassium than bananas, more vitamin A than carrots, and more protein than spinach. In fact Dandelion contains all the essential amino acids making the plant a complete vegan protein. Vitamin C, K and B complex vitamins are also present in the plant in high doses. Dandelion leaf is also a source of antioxidants that support cardiovascular health. Being high in calcium the Dandelion benefits bone health and strength. The nutrients available in Dandelion are also highly supportive to the liver allowing the organ to function optimally.

The leaves, like most of the Dandelion plant, are very cleansing. They facilitate healthy elimination and diuretic action through stimulating the activity of the kidneys and their high fiber content stimulates good digestion. They are antiviral and antifungal and anti-inflammatory which is all highly beneficial to the immune system.

Dandelion leaves can be eaten raw in a salad. Though being so rich in nutrients and minerals causes the leaves of the Dandelion to taste bitter and can be difficult to eat raw. This bitterness makes them perfect as an ingredient for smoothies and fresh juices. Juicing the Dandelion especially makes the nutrients readily available and easily absorbed into the body. Try juicing Dandelion combined with a green apple, wheatgrass, lemon and ginger for an immunity boosting and cleansing drink.

The root of a Dandelion contains many of the same benefits as its leaves but also holds a high concentration of the cleansing compounds available in the plant. This makes the root a powerful blood purifier. Consumption of the root can reduce acidic conditions and aid in the elimination of metabolic waste. Most notably is the roots ability to reduce excess fluid retention in the body. These fluids include water as well as uric and lactic acids. The root also stimulates the production of bile which is needed by the body to expel excess toxins. Another less obvious benefit of Dandelion root is the cleansing effect on the skin, as the health of the liver is reflected in the quality of skin health.

The easiest way to consume the root is as a tea. Simply take a clean raw piece of the Dandelion root and add to 2-3 cups of boiling water and allow to simmer on low for 20-30 minutes. Strain the liquid with a sieve to separate plant pieces from the mix. Pour into a teacup, allow to cool and enjoy. Also try combining with other beneficial teas like green tea or chamomile.

Don’t be fooled by the bright pretty flowering heads of the Dandelion, these sun shaped blossoms also pull their weight in nutritive compounds. They also contain a wide array of mineral and nutrients though perhaps in smaller quantities when compared to the leaves and roots. To get the most out of these flowers they can be made into a tea. Start by cutting the flowers off of the stems then dry them out using a quality food dehydrator. 1 cup of the now dried flowers can be boiled in water for 20-30 minutes on a low simmer. When complete strain the liquid with a sieve to separate plant pieces from the mix. Pour into a teacup and allow to cool. The flowers can be combined with the roots for a more potent and effective Dandelion tea. Any leftover dry Dandelion flowers can be stored in a jar for later use.

If foraging for wild Dandelion be mindful that the plant’s bad reputation as a weed has lead to the development of highly toxic commercial weed killers which are used in conventional lawn care. Forage in locations removed from roads and manicured lawns to avoid exposure to these dangerous chemicals.

Alternatively Dandelion seeds are available for purchase to grow at home. If interested in growing Dandelions indoors here is a great set of instructions. Remember Dandelions are highly resilient, they are resistant to pests and disease and can tolerate poor growing conditions. Growing them indoors will provide them with an ideal environment to flourish.

Materials

• Potting soil
• Pot, at least 6 inches deep and with bottom drainage holes
• Spray bottle
• Ruler
• 8-16-8 or other general-purpose fertilizer
• Measuring cup
• 1-gallon containers with lids
• Disposable tablespoon
• Watering can

1. Fill a 6-inch-deep or deeper pot, which has bottom drainage holes, with moist potting soil. Use a pot at least 4 inches in diameter for a single dandelion, or grow multiple dandelion plants in a large pot.
2. Place dandelion seeds 1 1/2 inches apart on the pot's soil. Sprinkle a little potting soil over each seed until all the seeds are barely covered, about 1/8 inch deep in the soil.
3. Spray the soil with water, dampening the seeds. Place the pot in a bright spot indoors, and keep its soil moist. Dandelion seeds sprout in soil as low as 50 F, but they germinate quicker when the soil temperature is nearer to 77 F. Seedlings should appear above the soil within two weeks after the seeds were sown.
4. Grow dandelion plants in a bright indoor area, such as a sunny porch or a room with natural light. Dandelions grow vigorously in full sun but tolerate partial shade.
5. Pour 2 cups of 8-16-8 or other general purpose fertilizer into 1 gallon of water. Blend the fertilizer and water thoroughly. The result is a concentrated fertilizer mixture.
6. Fertilize the dandelions' soil when the plants are 4 to 6 inches tall then twice each month for the rest of the growing season. Combine 2 tablespoons of the concentrated fertilizer mixture with 1 gallon of water, and use the solution to water the dandelion's soil until it is damp all the way through. Each application of the fertilizer solution replaces one regular watering.
7. Water the dandelions' soil throughout the growing season when the top of the soil dries slightly. Water deeply until excess moisture leaks from the pot's bottom drainage holes.
8. Cut dandelions for salads at their base when they grow 4 to 8 inches tall. As the leaves mature, they become more bitter and tough, but they are edible at any time.
9. Harvest the dandelion flowers when they open fully but before they go to seed and turn white. Cut a flower stalk at its base. If you grow the dandelions predominantly for salad greens, then pinch off the flowers at their bases as soon as the blooms appear.
10. Overwinter place dandelions in containers indoors in a bright, frost-free area. Promote leaf growth by continuing to remove the flowers as they appear. Harvest the leaves through winter.