Dandelion Greens and Roots

"Dandelion greens contain 7,000 units of Vitamin A per ounce. The dandelion is so high in vitamin A, that it makes a carrot blush"

--Jack Ritchason, ND

Dandelion greens pop up in lawns and fields across the country in the spring. We know them by their bright yellow flowers and the fluffy seed ball. They are pretty, but they are considered a weed in the lawn, a nuisance get rid of with herbicides. But instead of fighting the dandelion, We would do well to eat them!

The Dandelion is Good Nutrition

The greens and roots are wonderful medicinal food. Dandelion greens are full of calcium, Vitamin C, Vitamin A (more than carrots), Vitamin K, iron, magnesium, potassium and other minerals.

Dandelion greens are great for women. They protect the breast from cancer and can reduce cysts and breast tenderness. The leaves and roots are a diuretic and help the liver, tone the kidneys, adrenals and help the digestion. The leaves and root also purify the blood and clean up skin eruptions like acne.

Help for your Liver

both dandelion leaves and roots are cooling. They help those of us who get angry, intense and irritable, by cooling a stressed liver. The liver is a major detox organ, and chemicals, hormones, fats and stress overwork the liver. The liver gets congested and we become angry!

I have felt the power of the dandelion roots. Once I was moving from Houston to Austin, and feeling premenstrual. The stress of the move was a challenge. Fortunately I had some dandelion root in capsules so I put it to the test. As we drove to Austin, I took Dandelion root every hour. I was calm, the irritability was gone. It works! I love my herbs.

Now that I'm in my menopause years, I'm reading all I can about natural remedies for "the change" and dandelion is often mentioned. The leaves have lots of calcium and iron, the roots heal the digestion and help with hormonal issues, and even help with hot flashes.

Where to Find Them

Dandelion is medicinal wild food, not a common vegetable. You may want to forage for it in the wild, but be sure to find an experienced forager or herbalist to help you identify it. There are some weeds that look like dandelion but are not. See if you can find an herbalist who gives herb walks.

Otherwise, look for the greens at the farmers markets and the natural foods store in the Spring. Dandelion root can often be found year round in a bulk section of a natural grocer, or as a tincture or in capsules.

How to Take Them

Dandelion comes as a tea, a tincture and as greens. I like the roasted root; it tastes good. The tincture is convenient. But the leaves are bitter! Dandelion greens are know as a bitter tonic, and we are not used to the bitter taste in food. But the bitter taste cleans out the arteries, helps the heart, and reduces cholesterol.

The young leaves are less bitter and can be eaten raw in salads. The bigger, older leaves are quite bitter. So, I saute the leaves in onions and carrots, two sweet vegetables. Then they taste good.

The root tea is made by gently simmering a tsp to a tbsp of root in about a cup of water for 10 to 20 minutes, then strain and drink. Easy!

Here's my recipe for Dandelion Saute

4 cups dandelion greens, coarsely chopped, loosely packed

1/2 onion, chopped

2 carrots, sliced on the diagonal

1 Tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup water

Directions:

Heat oil in skillet. Add onion, saute about 2 minutes. Add carrots, saute 2 minutes. Add dandelion greens, saute 2 minutes or so. Then add water, 1/4 cup, lower heat. cover and let cook 10 minutes.

May you enjoy your spring tonic greens and dandelion tea!

Here's a good source of dandelion roots, from a company I trust.

Food for Thought:

"The best news yet is that Aspen and Carbondale, two upscale mountain communities in Colorado, have declared it illegal to spray herbicides to eradicate dandelions. They have suggested that people eat the health-giving plants instead."

--Tammi Hartung, Medical Herbalist

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