10/23/2021
Poor Dandelion. People spend so much time, energy & money trying to eradicate this cheery plant from their lawns, often adding poison to the soil, water table, & environment in the process. You? Are you a dandelion vigilante? Perhaps I can change your mind & help you see how he’s quite possibly the most undervalued, misunderstood plant we know.
They’re packed with benefits- minerals and vitamins (C, A, K, folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium) & fiber. All parts are usable! They’re anti-inflammatory, anti-viral & bacterial, detox the liver, purify the blood, help keep you regular, & aid digestion. Gargling with an infusion of dandelion flowers can alleviate the sore throat pain & speed recovery.
In the fall, we love to dig the roots up that have soaked up nutrients all summer, to dry & store for infusions and to make tinctures & vinegars that will help clear toxins that accumulate during winter. Tender spring leaves are one of the early emerging culinary greens which can also do the same. The bitter flavor of dandelion helps digestive energies to descend, alleviating indigestion, feeling overly full even with small intake, poor appetite, reflux, & flatulence.
Dandelion greens sauteed in olive oil with garlic & onion is easy & delicious. As the plant gets older, the leaves get more bitter & tough. So, if you prefer a milder flavor, harvest them young. Quickly blanching the leaves before sauteing can remove some of the bitterness. Roots can be chopped up and added to soups, stews, & stir fries.
In Chinese medicine, bitter, sweet, cold Pu Gong Yin affects the Liver & Stomach. It is often used as an ingredient in formulas to clear heat & toxicity for conditions that present with red, hot swellings, including abscesses & acne, & as a diuretic for edema & blocked urination. Compresses of dandelion can help resolve clogged milk ducts in lactating women.
Read more at https://mbtinctures-com.myshopify.com/blogs/dandelions-are-good/dandelions-are-good
