Springtime and dandelion greens. Growing up in Illinois springtime meant dandelion greens. This is when they are the tenderest. The young leaves are slightly bitter but great in a salad or by themselves. My mom would saute a few strips of cut up bacon till crisp and then turn the skillet with the grease and bacon on top of a bowl of dandelion greens.
Dandlions for supper again
Today with the advent of lawn fertilizers dandelion plants are not as plentiful as they once were. It’s sad because as kids we ate the young greens, picked the dried flowers and blew them to the wind. That was a lot simpler time when kids actually went outside to play.
As the plants get older the leaves become bitter and tought. Some people even eat the flower part when it young. They will batter the flower and eat it as tempera. Some how I personally think blowing them in the wind was more fun.
Besides tasting great dandelion is one of the most nutritious herbs. They are higher in beta carotene than carrots are and they have more iron and calcium and iron than spinach. The leaves are loaded with vitamin B-1, B-2, B-5, B-6, B-12, C, E,P, D, inositol, biotin, magnesium,zinc and phosphorus. As I said it’s loaded with good stuff.
The root of the dandelion is just as good for you as it contains taraxacin that reduces the inflammation of the bile ducts and reduces gallstones. Beside helping with indigestion it is commonly used for Hepatitis, liver swelling, and jaundice.
Dandelion tea made from either the dried leaves or the root acts as a diuretic on the kidneys. Most diuretics rob the body of potassium but thankfully not the dandelion. Dandelion root tea has helped quite a number of people avoid surgery for urinary stones.
Inside the stem of the dandelion plant is a milky white substance that is thats great for removing warts, pimples, moles, callouses, soothing of bee stings, and blisters.
Dandelion wine, dandelion jam add to the plants uses as well when its dried and roasted, they will grind the rood and use it for a coffee substitute.
In Europe today they find it hard to believe that we consider the dandelion plant a weed when they make use of every part of the dandelion plant.
