^{by Sharon Quercioli}

When I was growing up as a little girl, my mother would bring me in the yard and taught me how to pick dandelions for our salads. Our salads were so yummy! When most people think of dandelions, they normally think of them as obnoxious weeds that take over our yards. That is, until they realized that they’re actually nutritious and can be added to salads, cooked with spices or made into tea. Harvesting fruits and vegetables from my garden was never an issue for me, but picking dandelions as a little girl was fun, and I wanted to learn more about the health benefits. So, this is what I found. 

Dandelions Can Fight Inflammation

Dandelions might be able to reduce inflammation, which is caused by disease, if it is because of the presence of different bioactive compounds within the plant, like polyphenols.

When your body becomes inflamed for one reason or another, it is because it’s your body’s natural response to illness or injury. If your body is always inflamed (excessively), it can lead to permanent damage. A few studies have shown that dandelion compounds can reduce the amount of inflammation your body is going through. Ultimately, more research is needed to clearly define dandelion’s role in reducing inflammation in humans.

Dandelions Contain Antioxidants

Dandelions are full of antioxidants, which is one of the reasons why they might have such a broad range of applications when it comes to your health. Antioxidants are molecules that aid in neutralizing or preventing free radicals from having negative effects within your body. 

Free radicals are a biproduct of a normal metabolism. However, they can be incredibly destructive. If you have too many free radicals, it can lead to disease and the development and acceleration of different things, like aging. 

Dandelions are great because they contain a high level of the antioxidant beta-carotene.  This specific antioxidant provides protection again oxidative stress and cellular damage. Dandelions are also known for being rich in an antioxidant known as polyphenols. These specific antioxidants are found mostly in the roots, stems and leaves of dandelions.

Benefits of Dandelion Tea

These “weeds” are used in plenty of different types of folk medicine, specifically in teas. There were two different types of teas made from dandelions: roasted dandelion root tea and the much simpler infused tea made from the dandelion leaves. Both are considered safe unless you’ve been spraying your yard with herbicides and/or pesticides. If you haven’t been treating your yard, you can use dandelions for a variety of different purposes.

Water Weight Reduction

If you’re feeling a bit bloated, you might find a bit of relief with dandelion tea. It acts like a diuretic, specifically if you make a tea infused from the leaves of the dandelion plant.

Liver Health

Folklore states that dandelions are great to use as liver tonics. Some studies have shown that dandelion tea increases the speed bile moves in your body. Many naturopaths also think that dandelions can detoxify your liver, relieve the symptoms of liver disease, and can benefit overall liver function.

Natural Coffee Substitute

If you roast the roots of a young dandelion until it is dark brown, then steep it in hot water and strain it. Some say that it is a great substitute for coffee! 

Soothing of Digestive Ailments

Dandelion root tea can have many positive effects on your digestive system, although much of the evidence remains anecdotal. It has historically been used to improve appetite, soothe minor digestive ailments and relieve constipation.

Future Anti-Cancer Applications

Recently, dandelion root has been studied for its cancer-fighting potential, and preliminary results are promising. 

Potential Allergic Reactions

It is important to note that some people have allergic reactions to dandelion root and teas. The people who are more than likely to be allergic to dandelion are also allergic to similar plants, including:

• ragweed
• chrysanthemum
• marigold
• daisy

If you are allergic to these flowers, you should drink dandelion tea with caution or avoid it altogether.

My Favorite Dandelion Recipes

Since doing all my research, I’ve discovered a few great recipes to share with you!

Spicy Greens

What You’re Going to Need

• Teaspoon of salt

• Pound of dandelion greens, torn into 4-inch pieces

• Teaspoon Himalayan salt

• Couple tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

• Tablespoon of butter or glee

• Half of an onion, thinly sliced

• One-fourth teaspoon of red pepper flakes

• Two cloves of minced garlic

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• Tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese

What You’re Going To Do With All That Stuff

• Soak dandelion greens in a big bowl of cold water with a teaspoon of salt for about 10 minutes, then drain.

• Bring a big pot of water to a boil with another teaspoon of salt. Cook greens until tender, should take around five minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water until it feels cool to the touch.

• Heat olive oil and butter in a big skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion and red pepper flakes until onions are tender, about five minutes. Stir in garlic until garlic is fragrant, about a minute more. Increase heat to medium-high, and add dandelion greens. Continue to cook and stir until liquid is evaporated. That should take around five minutes as well. Season with salt and black pepper.

• Sprinkle greens with Parmesan cheese to serve.

Garlic Dandelions Greens

What You’re Going to Need

• Pound of dandelion green

• Half cup of onion (finely chopped)

• One clove garlic (minced)

• One small dried hot chili pepper (seeds removed, crushed)

• One-fourth cup of olive or avocado oil

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• Parmesan cheese for garnish

What You’re Going to Do with That Stuff

• Throw out (or save) the dandelion roots, and wash the greens well in salted water. Cut leaves into 2-inch pieces.

• Cook greens in an uncovered saucepan in a small amount of salted water until tender, about ten minutes or so.

• Meanwhile, heat the olive or avocado oil in a skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Sauté the onion, garlic and chili pepper, stirring, until the onion is translucent.

• Drain greens; add to the onion garlic mixture.

• Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

• Serve the dandelion greens with grated or shredded Parmesan cheese.

Dandelion Tea

Is your garden flooded with dandelions? You can make two kinds of teas with those babies! 

You can make one with the flowers and leaves. Just wash them and let them steep in hot water for about 20 minutes. 

You can also make tea from the roots of the dandelions. Wash them well (make sure all the dirt is gone). Chop them into super fine pieces, heat an oven on high for a couple of hours until they are toasted. Steep a couple of teaspoons in hot water for around 10 minutes or so.