25 Reasons You Should Go and Pick Dandelion Right Now!

Many people ask, “What is a dandelion?” Dandelions grow in many areas around the world. The scientific name for dandelion is Taraxacum spp. Also called “Dent-de-lion” or “Lion’s tooth” these beaming little yellow spheres come alive at the start of spring.

The practice of herbal remedies has esteemed the dandelion has a variety of healing uses. Dandelions have been used for a number of physical afflictions such as acne, cancer, digestive issues, and even diseases of the liver.

9 Medical Benefits of Dandelions

Dandelions were used in many sprinng tonics as a healthy way of cleaning the system out after winter. 

Extremely nutritious

You thought those dandelions were just weeds in the vegetable garden. As a matter of fact, dandelions are just as nutritious as the other vegetables cultivated in the garden. This plant is filled with minerals, fiber, and other vitamins beginning at the root.

This is a plant that is an excellent source of vitamins K, C, and A; there are also small amounts of vitamin B, E, and folate vitamins. You can serve dandelion greens either cooked or raw.

Rich in carbohydrate-insulin, the root of the dandelion is a form of soluble fiber. This type of plant is supportive of bacteria that is healthy for the maintenance and growth of the bacterial flora within the tract of the intestines.

Concentrated Antioxidants

The primary reason dandelions have such wide usage in regards to health is the number of concentrated antioxidants they contain.

These molecules behave in a way that balances or deters the adverse impacts of the free radicals in your body.

Although free radicals are the handiwork of our metabolism they can still have cataclysmic results. In order to maintain a youthful, healthy body antioxidants are a necessity. A lack of antioxidants renders disease and quickens the aging process.

Rich in beta-carotene and compounds such as polyphenols. Both of these minerals act as powerful antioxidants in deterring disease and aging.

Dandelions May be Useful As An Anti-inflammatory

Because dandelions have a number of bioactive compounds such as polyphenolic they may be able to lower disease-causing inflammation.

The compounds found in dandelions have been found to significantly lower cell markers in a recent test-tube study.

These studies have been performed on small animals and in test tubes. More research is still required to discover anti-inflammatory abilities in humans.

Controlling the Blood Sugar Levels

Bioactive compounds in dandelions have been discovered to decrease blood sugar levels in test tube studies on small animals. Dandelions are able to do this because of the chicoric and chlorogenic acids present in them. These acids restrict the way carbohydrates are digested.

Lowering Cholesterol

The bioactive compounds present in dandelions may also be effective in the fight against heart disease. Studies done using mice showed a significant decrease in triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

This study was completed on rabbits placed on a high-cholesterol diet. They introduced dandelions and the roots into their diet which was proven to lower cholesterol significantly. More research is needed to prove the benefits dandelions have on human cholesterol levels.

Great Ointment

Dandelions have a sap that can be put on warts to aid in their removal. This will work best if applied a few times each day.

Excellent Liver Support

The root of the dandelion offers support to the liver. Eaten fresh or in a tincture, there are various recipes you can follow. If the liver is unbalanced and the cause of acne or other skin disorders, dandelion roots may help.

A Good Way to Lose and Maintain Weight

According to research, the bioactive elements dandelions encompass may boost and aid in maintaining weight loss. Dandelions advance how the body metabolizes carbohydrates and reduces the concentration of fat. This is all theorized research and has not yet been proven scientifically.

Something else was discovered in researching dandelions and that is they contain chlorogenic acid. This acid has been proven effective in lowering body weight as well as storing a degree of fat accumulating hormones.

These studies have been done on small animals, more still needs to be done to determine their exact effect on humans and weight loss.

Can Make a Healthy Tonic Drink

You can make a yummy tasting tonic drink for the spring season. Dandelion roots and leaves can be used safely as a means of reducing excess water weight in the body.

This creates a diuretic cleansing which allows for the removal of inflammation on the kidneys as well as infection in the bladder. This tonic is also great for reducing congestion and restoring the liver to normal ranges,

This dandelion tonic is also used to:

● Relief for constipation
● Dissolving stones in the urinary tract
● Decreases blood pressure
● Has positive effects on the heart
● Removes blockages of the spleen, pancreas, and gallbladder
● The high vitamin and minerals in dandelion tonic can be a treatment for anemia
● It is also a great way to purify the blood and treat psoriasis, acne, and other skin disorders.
● Dandelions can aid with hypo-hyperglycemia by offering a means of leveling out the blood sugar

7 Ways You Can Eat Dandelions

It turns out that this little flower once believed to be a pesky weed has many uses. One of them is they are edible. It originally migrated to North America with the Europeans who did not want to leave behind such a priceless asset. Below in this section, we will show you some of the ways dandelions are useful as food.

The dandelion makes backyard herbalism an effortless chore because every part of this plant is usable. From the leaves to the roots, this plant is completely edible and useful as medicine and food.

● Dandelion tea has excellent diuretic properties and is a great way to flush the body of impurities and extreme fluids.

● The dandelion leaves that poke up through the earth in early spring can be gathered and concocted into a tasty pesto or green salad. You may also want to dry the leaves to create a healthy tea.

● Chocked full of many vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin A, potassium, and calcium, the leaves of a dandelion plant are extremely nourishing.

● The leaves have a bitter flavor when eaten during mealtime. This heightens digestion by strengthening the bile which soothes indigestion and other issues regarding digestion.

● Another thing you can make with dandelions is a “coffee” drink. Though it doesn’t have the caffeine of traditional coffee it has the same dark, rich flavor.

● Dandelions can also be fried in a pan just like you would do to fry potatoes. First remove the bracts from each flower.

The bract is the tiny piece below the bloom of the flower. We remove the bracts to prevent a bitter taste created by it.

● Dandelions can also make delicious wine. Dandelions can be made into a tasty “dandelion wine” by processing it with added orange rind, ginger, sugar, yeast, and lemon.

Reasons Dandelions are Food for the Animals

Many animals eat wild dandelions for nutrition. Animals ranging from feathered to wild mammals, and even domesticated farm animals feed off various parts of the dandelion. The seed heads of this flower are likened by quail, pheasant, wild turkeys, grouse, and partridge. Other birds who enjoy dandelion seeds are the songbird type like–goldfinches, blackbirds, towhees, sparrows, and siskins.

Dandelions are Needed to Feed Essential Insects

Dandelions are a big part of an insect’s diet. Several breeds of insects count on having dandelions available to eat. Insects are needed as a means to rid and break down decay (such as deceased animals and plants). Without insects our environment would become chaotic and unhealthy. Here are the most common insects that eat dandelions: fireflies, bald-faced hornet, honey bees, bumblebees, wasps, grasshoppers, butterflies. bees, flies, and other small insects all rally over the newly sprouted nectar of dandelions.

Common Wild & Domesticated Mammals that Feed on Dandelions

If you have dandelions you can count on having lots of wild mammals in your yard feasting on the seeds, flowers, green leaves, and even the roots. The following is a list of some of the wild mammals you might recognize enjoying dandelions as part of their daily diet: various breeds of rabbits, white-tailed deer, porcupines, mice, prairie dogs, ground squirrels, pigs, goats.

Dandelions even are food for Feathered Creatures

While insects and mammals are feeding on the leaves and flowers of the dandelion plant the feathered animals are munching on the seeds. Some of the feathered animals that feed on dandelions include (but not limited to) the following Northern American breeds:

● Northern Bobwhite
● American Goldfinch
● The White-Throated Sparrow
● The Wild turkey

These are just a few of the wild feathered critters who enjoy pecking at the seeds of a dandelion plant.

6 Ways Dandelions Are Useful as a Conditioner for the Soil

These little flowers can be either a curse or a blessing to the landscaper or homeowner. Although many landscapers and homeowners have the urge to pull dandelions out of a lawn this is an urge one must avoid.

● Dandelions have roots that spread out in wide directions. The roots loosen up the soil that may be packed hard. This permits the augmentation of the earth and cuts down on any possible decomposition.

● One reason dandelions make great such a great soil conditioner is these plants contain lots of nutrients. These plants bring out the potassium, iron, and calcium so deeply embedded in the soil by using their leaves.

● The drying, dead leaves of this plant leaves material behind that is rich in organic minerals which gives the earth nutrition.

● You can keep your garden neater by placing the dried dandelions under the mulch.

● Dandelions are an excellent means of pollination.

● When you have lots of dandelions in one area, it is an indication your soil is rich in potassium but has low calcium levels. The roots of this plant go deep within the earth and bring forth calcium and other rich nutrients that lie buried deep. Having dandelions in your grass is actually an excellent method to fertilize it.

Dandelions are present from early Spring until Autumn. Their yellow petals close up at night and reopen with the first morning light.

The dandelion plant promises many uses. It is much more than just a pesky weed in the garden. It is also a tasty, healthy snack for humans as well as insects, birds, and wild mammals.

Both farmers and gardeners relish what the dandelion can do for the soil. It provides a multitude of nutrients and minerals to the earth.

Besides being good to eat; this gem of a plant is also part of the medicine chest created by nature. You cannot go wrong with having this plant in your garden, lawn, or growing wild nearby.

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