Dandelion leaves, when young, are a tasty salad vegetable. Dandelion roots can be dried, roasted and then ground as a good coffee substitute without caffeine and which has beneficial healthy effects on indigestion and on rheumatic complaints.Nutritionally, dandelion juice is of remarkable value with a high iron content, quadruple the carotene content of lettuce plus rich supplies of calcium, potassium, and vitamins C and E.
With the juices of the stinging nettle and watercress it is the ideal basis for a ‘spring clean’ and is used this way in Germany as pan of a two week course combined with a diet without meat or much sugar or starch. This treatment helps to make the liver and the gall bladder normal, and it has a beneficial effect upon the nervous system. The secret of growing your own is to use well dug soil and then to remove the flowers as soon as they appear. This avoids the random seeding of the plant and ensures a lush growth of leaves for several years. It is best to select seeds from a broad leafed variety as those are more tender and juicy. It is often mixed with the juices of the leaves of carrots and turnips.
As a diuretic, it can be taken alone. The Romans called the plant Herba urinaria, but this effect is the consequence of a dose of several ounces a day, whereas for other uses 2floz (50ml) is sufficient. The humble dandelion is so often seen as an annoying weed in the garden and in the farmer‘s fields. Yet this attractive golden sunburst is a herbal medicine of renowned effect and great antiquity. The Germans call it Lowenzahn, or Lion‘s tooth, but the French Pissenlit, which means ‘wet the bed‘ is more descriptive of its diuretic properties. In Belgium the dandelion plant is grown as a crop. The botanical name Taraxacum comes from a Greek word which means to alter or to stir up and this refers to its medical properties. The specific word officinale used to be given to all officially recognized herbs.
Botanically referred to as taraxacum officinale, dandelion is a perennial weed like plant that is commonly found in temperate regions, on roadsides, and on banks and shores of water bodies. Dandelion is characterized by its flower top with a characteristic yellow color. Dandelion grows as weeds that might be annoying for gardeners or farmers. However, it has numerous nutritional benefits that make it a medicinally valuable herb. You can use various parts of dandelion plant like the roots or leaves to prepare an extract and then use the extract to treat various health problems.
Dandelion herb has been known for its medicinal uses, which, in turn, can be attributed to the dandelion leaves nutritional value. Dandelion is a rich source of iron and pigments including carotene. The dandelion nutritional benefits also arise from its rich content of vitamins C and E and minerals including calcium and potassium. Some of dandelion‘s health benefits are as follows.
These are a few benefits of dandelion leaves and roots. Dandelion herb has numerous health benefits, and as such, it is cultivated as crops in some parts of the world. However, there are certain cautionary measures that might be taken for best results. You must pick fresh leaves that are of small size. Larger leaves are bitter in taste. Also, you must not use chemical fertilizers and pesticides. You could plant the weeds if you have a kitchen garden, use natural and organic fertilizers, and use dandelion extract that is natural. You must never use dandelion leaves or roots without consulting a doctor. Dandelion might cause side-effects if you are allergic to it or have a physical state that is different from normal. Some of the dandelion herb side effects are liver infection and constipation. It may also cause allergic reaction like mouth sores and skin rashes. If you have obstructed flow of bile juice secreted by liver, you should not consume dandelion juice as the latter enhances the level of bile juice.