Dandelion is often considered a annoying, quick-spreading weed, but in fact it has many healing properties. It can be used to help skin problems, acne, hepatitis, anaemia, stomach-ache, constipation, blood purification, indigestion and eczema.
Dandelion can be used in all sorts of herbal healing potions. Dandelion coffee (a strong tea made with dandelions) is loved throughout much of Europe. Whereas normal coffee hurts the liver with heat and toxins, this dandelion brew does the exact opposite! With no toxins or heat infecting your liver, you will feel more relaxed and much less irritable and easily angered. Drink twice a day for acne.
Dandelion leaves can be added uncooked to salads and soups. These leaves are high in minerals (great for your blood and nerves) and vitamins (helps your skin and improves eyesight). You could also use many other type of leaves, including fennel leaves.
I’ve had steamed dandelion leaves once. They were very bitter, but edible. A couple of days ago I saw “Fentimans Dandelion & Burdock” soda in the grocery store, but haven’t tried it yet. Apparently dandelion and burdock “is a beverage consumed in the British Isles since about 1265″ according to wikipedia.
Never heard of it, but it sounds… healthy
You can still find Dandelion and Burdock in some shops here in Britain. I think my Granny bought it. It’s not very popular though and I’ve never tasted it.
Wow! I didn’t know that! Cheers
Dandelions are definitely under appreciated. They are a very photogenic plant, to be sure, and it’s always good to have a bunch of them growing in your yard when you have little kids around so that the little ones can pick flowers without pulling up anything that’s harder to grow.
As for medicinal purposes, my uncle, who’s a naturopath (someone who knows a bunch about natural remedies) says that you can put the white sap on warts to help heal them. And I’d heard that in ages past, people were glad to see dandelions in the spring because they’re one of the first edible plants to start growing as it gets warmer. People would eat them and get a bunch of nutrients they weren’t getting in the winter due to lack of fresh greens and it would make them feel better.
Great post!
Yes. They are pulled out as weeds mostly, not treated with the respect a medicinal plant deserves
You’re right.
They’re good for so many things, whether it’s medicinal, or for salads, or dandelion clocks, or making wine, or for collecting cultures of wild yeast for making ginger beer.
Do you know a plant called Lamb’s Quarters? It’s another unappreciated “weed” that you can eat.
I know that plant! It’s great in a mixed green salad.
It’s also quite good steamed. Just ad butter and a little salt and it’s as good as steamed spinach or asparagus.
That does sound good
Mmmm! Nice idea
This was very informative and helpful
I worked at a Nutrition Store here in Canada for quite some time and it was a supplement that we sold quite a lot of for a lot of the reasons you mentioned. We sold it in pill and liquid form though. People here like things a lot simpler 
My bunny and guinea pig also like to eat the leaves when I pick them from outside and you can buy it in the grocery store to eat. Thanks for sharing! 
Glad this post was of use to you
And thanks for stopping by my blog!
I know it is supposed to be a weed, a pest, but I like them, not to eat, but only to look at and photograph. I once spent hours trying to get the perfect shot of a dandelion seed head; their structure is beautiful. Thanks for viewing my poems. I hope to add more photos at some point.
Yes, you’re very right, I agree.
And of course there’s the blowing the seeds from a Dandelion Clock
What’s your evidence for dandelion coffee being ‘beloved throughout much of Europe’? I’m English and I’ve never seen dandelion coffee nor heard anybody enthuse about it.
The diuretic properties of the dandelion are known here but again, I haven’t known anybody take it for that reason. Iirc it’s the root which can be used as a herbal medicine. Because of this, the French word for dandelion is pissenlit (piss in the bed)!
A few people do make dandelion wine. I made that once and it was quite nice, a light white wine.
I didn’t think I’d heard anyone who loves dandelion coffee, but it says so in a few of the books and pages I use for references.
I think it’s a myth, then.
The only problem I see is getting the dandelion leaves from places with relatively little pollution, which can be hard if you live in or near a city. The UK is so much better off in this aspect.
We do have to be wary of dog or cat urine and faeces, though.
Yuck! Just yuck
Yeah— I know a bunch of people who eat them in salad…
F
I don’t think I’d like to!? What about you?
Naw… Pro’ly not!