The good weed: Health benefits of dandelions
If you can’t beat ‘em, eat ‘em?
The dandelion, long considered an obnoxious weed deserving nothing more than pesticide-induced death, is no longer seen as evil.
The National Post reports that attitudes nation-wide are shifting. Pesticides are the new bad guys and dandelions are everywhere. In Halifax, a dandelion festival celebrates the bitter green. In Vancouver, dandelions are listed as “agricultural commodities.”
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It’s not just tolerance of a harmless weed, either. The early bloomers attract pollinators, and their deep taproots bring up nutrients for shallower-rooted plants nearby, making dandelion-covered lawns healthier ones.
Nutritionists spout the benefits of the lowly dandelion. Instead of just pulling weeds, consider picking this good-for-you “free food” for dinner. Just make sure your weed-turned-dinner is chemical- and dog-urine free before you begin.
1. Dandelions stimulate digestion and detox the liver. “Bitters” have been used for centuries by non-Western cultures before meals as a digestion stimulant. Dandelions contain the bitter substance taraxin that promotes the flow of bile from the liver and hydrochloric acid from the stomach. This also often resolves constipation issues.
2. Dandelions are good for your bones. The super-greens are packed with vitamins and antioxidants, especially bone-building calcium and bone-protecting vitamin-C and Luteolin. Alkaline foods are important in preventing and treating osteoporosis. So indulge!
3. Dandelions help de-bloat. Dandelions promote water loss, which can help lower blood pressure and ease premenstrual bloating. The natural diuretic can also lower sugar levels, making it diabetic-friendly as well as swimsuit-season-friendly.
4. Dandelions heal the skin. Dandelion sap — or dandelion milk — is highly alkaline with germicidal, insecticidal and fungicidal properties and can treat superficial skin issues like eczema, ringworm, itching, etc. The sap is a time-honoured wart treatment, too. Just rub the sticky substance on the area two or three times a day until the wart disappears. The detoxifying greens are also a natural acne remedy.
How do you eat dandelions? Let us count the ways!
The root can be roasted as a coffee-substitute, or boiled and stir-fried as a cooked vegetable.
The flower can be cooked, too, although its most common form of consumption is in dandelion wine.
[Related: The spring vegetable you aren't cooking but should]
The leaves are the most commonly used part of the plant in North American kitchens. Use the leaves in your meal preparation as you would spinach or arugula: add the bitter greens to sandwiches and salads, or boil or wilt as part of a main dish.
Dandelion Egg Salad recipe
If you’re new to using dandelions, gradually introduce the leaves into your summer dishes. This simple recipe takes traditional egg salad, and infuses it with the bite of dandelion.
Combine the following:
Roughly chopped boiled eggs (4)
Boiled, chopped dandelion greens (3/4 cup)
Fresh chives (1 tablespoon)
Horseradish (1 teaspoon)
Mayonnaise (1/2 cup)
Serve on whole grain bread or wrapped in lettuce leaves. Perfect for a backyard bash or picnic in the park.
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