DANDELION

Dandelion is a valuable herb that can be used as a food & medicine.
Dandelion greens are packed with vitamins A, B, C & E & are a rich source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese iron & zinc.

ROOTS:

Dandelion root tones, nourishes & strengthens the liver.
Dandelion root benefits & solves common problems such as poor digestion, abnormal swelling, skin diseases & even kidney problems.
Dandelion root tea is very effective in reducing cholesterol & uric acid levels.

LEAVES:

Dandelion leaves are very nutritious & contain beta carotenes that are very good for the eyes, skin, hair, etc.
Because of the contained vitamins A & C, dandelion is also known as an antioxidant & anti-cancer agent. Dandelion can be used as a diuretic, to increase the amount of urine the body produces in order to get rid of excess fluid & for many conditions where a diuretic might help, such as liver problems, high blood pressure & relieving premenstrual fluid retention.
Fresh & tender dandelion leaves are used in preparing salads for the purpose of cleansing the body.
Because of its diuretic action, it eliminates toxins efficiently. This way, it indirectly treats eczemas & other skin diseases, gout, rheumatism, atherosclerosis, varices, etc. Dandelion can also be used to promote digestion & lymphatic cleansing.
It can be used for low grade fever, sinus infection & allergies.
Dandelion has also been used to strengthen & nourish the spleen, pancreas, immune system & glandular system, circulatory & lymphatic systems.
Dandelion can treat rheumatism & chronic skin eruptions, infections, especially viral infections.
The white sap extracted from the dandelion stem & root is used to treat certain skin disorders & warts.
Dandelion reduces the level of cholesterol.
Dandelion is also efficient in treating the hepatic dermatosis, cleaning the blood from impurities & calming rheumatic pains.

FLOWERS:

Dandelion flower has antioxidant properties. Dandelion may also help improve the immune system.
A tea made with dandelion flowers is useful for headaches & even depression.
The yellow flowers are also edible & can be added as a colorful garnish to other dishes.

PRECAUTIONS:

Avoid dandelion use if you have diarrhea, hyperacidity , acute irritable bowel syndrome, or ulcerative colitis.

RECIPES:

Dandelion leaves are used to add flavor to salads, sandwiches & teas. The roots are used in some coffee substitutes & the flowers are used to make wines or homemade honey.
A healthy salad can be prepared from a handful of dandelion leaves mixed with parsley & dill, oil & vinegar. It can be consumed two or three times a day, before meals.

For lowering the cholesterol level:
15 g of leaves & 15 g of roots must be boiled in 1 liter of water for 30 minutes.
Drink 1 cup before each meal.

In cases of liver disorders:
25 g of leaves & 25 g of roots must be boiled in 1 liter of water for 30 minutes.
Drink 1 cup before each meal.

Against anorexia & constipation:
20 g of leaves & 20 g of roots must be boiled in 1 liter of water, leave for 24 hours, before consuming it,1 cup before each meal.

Acne & cellulite:
25 g of leaves & 25 g of roots can be boiled for 5 minutes in 1 liter of water & left to infuse another 10 minutes.
Drink 1 cup before each meal.

To treat cataract:
10 g of leaves, roots, flowers & stalks must be boiled in 3/4 liter of water for 20 minutes.
The fresh mixture is then used to wash the area around the eye 4 or 5 times a day.

Dandelion Pesto:

Blend in the food processor 3-4 big handfuls of dandelion flowers, also leaves if you wish,
50 g cheddar cheese 

3-4 tbsp pumpkin seeds or other 

~1 tsp chili flakes 

4 garlic cloves 

0,5 lemon, juice, 

~100 ml olive oil, you can adjust the amount for right texture

The pesto can be refrigerated in a jar for up to 4 days.

Dandelion honey:

250 dandelion flowers
1 l water
500 g sugar
1-2 lemons
Pull the green bits off the dandelion heads.
Place the dandelions into the big pot along with lemon juice & water.
Let it simmer gently, covered for about 1 h.
Remove from the heat & leave to sit for 24 h.
Drain the dandelion syrup mixture, add the sugar & simmer on low heat until syrupy.
Pour the syrup into the clean jar when still hot, seal tightly.
Store in the refrigerator.

You can use it just like real honey over the pancakes or tipped into herbal teas..

Dandelion Coffee:

In the fall the roots are harvested to make dandelion coffee. You can pick your own, clean them & then roast them in the oven at 200-250 C for 3 hours.
Simply grind these roasted roots up to make your own coffee.

Tea:

If you want to make a mild tea simply pour 1 cup of boiling water over the 1 tsp of the dried leaf & leave for ca 10 minutes.
This tea will have wonderful anti-inflammatory effects on the joints.

Dandelion tea to stimulate the appetite:

Make a tea from 2 tsp of dried dandelion &
1 cup of boiling water,
cover & leave for 15 minutes.
Drink a cup in the morning & the evening.

Dandelion-Burdock Tincture for Liver Health:

1 part burdock root
1 part dandelion root
vodka or brandy
Chop the clean roots finely,cover with vodka or brandy.
Close airtight, place to the warm place for couple of weeks.
Take ½-1 tsp 3 times a day.
Dandelion & burdock root is an excellent & popular combination for cleansing & activating the liver.
This tincture is useful in cases of poor or sluggish digestion, skin conditions such as acne & eczema & any general health issue in which the liver might be of concern.

BEAUTY:

For treating greasy hair:
Fresh & chopped dandelion leaves must be applied on the dry hair & left there over night. The following morning, the hair must be washed with shampoo.

For reducing freckles it is recommended to use dandelion juice or a lotion prepared as follows:
2 tbsp of mixture of dandelion flowers, -leaves & -roots(fresh or dried), boil with 500 ml water for 20 min.
Clean face with it twice a day.

MAGIC:

Dandelion helps you to get in touch with your courage, inner strength, stamina & ability to hold your own in all kinds of challenges & situations.

Its milky sap was believed to nourish the newborn lambs & there were charms involving dandelion & other wild flowers to protect milk vessels.

If you keep the dandelion that grows in your garden, you will have a verdant garden that year.

If the blossom of the dandelion blows in your face, you will receive a letter on important business.

If the down flies off dandelions when there is no wind, it denotes rain.

When dandelion opens their golden petals fully by 8 o'clock in the morning, the day will be in all likelihood be fair, but if they keep them closed until 9 o'clock, you may take your umbrella with you when you go out.
The dandelions close their blossoms before storm.