The Dynamic Dandelion is notorious for being both invasive and pervasive. As humans we have been trained to think green lawns with nothing growing in them is what to aim for. We could have been missing what is right in front of us as a result.
Doesn't it seem peculiar that dandelions seem to follow human habitation? They appear everywhere we are the most, and yet nooobody ever plants them! They are the first to pop up and bloom in the Spring, and the last to leave towards the end of the summer.
The Puffy seeds aren't just for wishes, like we thought as kids, but truly something we can all farm, grow, and utilize!
After a minimal amount or research, I can see there is a divine connection that may I (or we) have missed for all these years. The #Dandelion is truly dynamic because it has such a rich source of nutrients that we all need, and some of the main ones that the human body can't make on it's own, like magnesium.
Its amazing power as an antioxidant and detox comes from the fact that it targets the liver and the kidneys. This makes perfect sense because we know that the liver and the kidneys are the human body's natural filters, so keeping them clean could be the key to some of our basic ailments!
So much so that studies have been done that show this method of detoxifying the human body's main detoxifying organs can, and have, reduced cancer tumors! In Canada, they take this root very serious, and hopefully the U.S. will eventually see the benefits too. However, just the opposite may happen so that is why it is important to harvest them now. Early spring is the best time anyway.
Dandelions not only have magnesium, but potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, fiber, and the some of the main Vitamins and Minerals. Like Vitamin B, C, and even some Vitamin D! Even trace minerals from that Oh-so organic earth, and as I recently learned, organic sodium. It also has more Protein than Spinach!
Real Protein can only come from plants. They are the only thing on earth that can take nitrogen oxide from thin air and turn it into amino acids, and then protein. Animals then eat the plants, and we eat the animals. So protein from meat is basically second hand Protein. I actually switched to a more plant based diet after learning this 🤯
As easy as it is to go into your own backyard and dig up the roots, it is important to make sure they haven't been sprayed with pesticides.
The root of the dandelion is what contains the highest concentration of nutrients. It is also the most versatile because it can be dried and stored for more than a year! It can be replanted, or used directly in recipe for tea or dandelion coffee; which is basically the same thing (See Recipe for decoction below) it all comes from the roots.
Key for Digestion
If you have any type of constipation (and are not allergic) dandelion root can be used to break thinks up. It has been used for thousands of years for this very purpose. It targets the stomach and promotes good digestion by returning a balance to the beneficial bacteria within our stomachs. There are several ways to prepare it, but I will just mention what I learned and what has worked for me.
Research shows that the best time to harvest the roots is right about now, early Spring. The medicinal properties are said to be at their peak compared to the end of summer. After a hard snow or rain is always the best time to dig up the roots. Once you dig up some long roots, you dust off as much of the soil as possible and prepare them to be washed with cool/warm water. You can also cut the dandelion leaves from the root and keep them to garnish salads or soups! They add an organic bitterness as well as nutrients.
I am also experimenting with drying the flowers along with the roots for the tea! As for the root, I chop them up into coin sizes and then quarter those so they can fit inside of tea bags later. I then dry them in the oven until they are dry, because I don't have a fancy dehydrator...yet. Then store them in glass gars in a cool and dry area. They can usually be kept for up to a year like this!
For centuries it has been used for it's direct effect on the liver and the kidneys, which again are the main way our bodies detoxify themselves. It is recommended to use a cast iron pan if cooking them on the stove because it is important to know dandelion tea is a decoction and not an infused tea.
Here I already googled a decoction to really understand what that really is:
If your kettle has an enamel lining don't use it for a decoction.
So basically, this is the ratio/recipe that I use :
2 Cups of water per 2 teaspoons of the roots.
Boil them for about 15-20 minutes and then turn off the heat and let them simmer. You want the mixture to settle into the kettle ;-) . Then just strain it and pour it into your cup, it is really that easy!
This is the type of kettle you want to have for decoctions, and this is the one I found on Amazon:
Also the stainless steel kettles work as well because they don't have the enamel. This is my first batch:
As easy as it all sounds, it is important to keep in mind that anything that shows potential for curing cancer eventually is outlawed or banned. Especially if it is as easy as picking what grows in most of our own backyards! There have been talks of banning the harvest of dandelions if the research in Canada makes real moves, so we may want to get busy this spring!
I sincerely hope this post helps others to fully utilize some of the herbal remedies that grow all around us. We really can take advantage of these humble yet dynamic weeds and think of new ideas for using this amazing plant!
If you found this post helpful, please don't be shy about droping a healthy & nutritious Upvote! Then we can say these humble weeds can even generate Cryptocurrencies too!! Help spread the word with a Resteem!!
