I see people pulling their dandelion, cursing it, kicking it and spraying chemicals all around it. What people don’t know is that this jagged-edged green weed that causes them so much trouble is a powerhouse herb with many health benefits. Here’s why you want to eat your dandelion greens!
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is one of the most nutrient-dense greens that nature has to offer. Most everyone could prosper from the high content of vitamins A, C and E that this herb imparts.
Dandelion is free, grows without care and then we pull it up and poison it — what an interesting paradox. What we need is right in front of us, yet we go to extended trouble to eradicate it. This gives us a glimpse into our sometimes upside-down relationship with nature.
The health benefits of dandelion go on and on. Its nutritive qualities alone are reason enough to incorporate this plant into your diet.
Dandelion leaf is a mineral-rich, bitter tonic that is one of the best herbs to munch on in summer salads.
Dandelion Greens for Digestion
Dandelion leaf is bitter, which is a flavor that we need more of in our diet. The common American menu is laden with sugar and low-quality salt. Sweet and salty are the tastes that most people crave.
If bitters are new territory, it can take a little getting used to. Once you take up residence with bitter foods, you notice how much more robust your digestion is and you, too, will develop a hankering for more bitter flavors in your dinner.
The bitter taste of dandelion leaf increases the flow of saliva, which contains antibacterial substances and enzymes that support the breakdown of your food.
Dandelion leaf not only enhances saliva production but stimulates digestive secretions throughout the digestive tract. It enhances the strength of peristalsis and stimulates the flow of stomach secretions and other helpful digestive substances.
The salivation that is stimulated by the bitter flavor of dandelion is an invaluable aspect of nutrient assimilation. This initial digesting and disinfection is done in the mouth so the rest of the digestive tract doesn’t have to do it. It isn’t something that makes a difference in one day, but over time, a lifestyle of taking bitter, saliva enhancing herbs means better health.
How to Get Started Eating Dandelion
Try mincing up 4 or 5 fresh dandelion leaves from your weed patch the next time you make salad. Cut the leaves into very small pieces and mix them in with the rest of your fresh salad greens or cooked greens.
Soon you will tell others about the joy of bitterness!
Did you know that dandelion roots have health benefits, too? Here’s my delicious dandelion mocha recipe.
I found some young dandelions growing in a bed today and instead of tossing them I remembered a salad someone had made years ago. Everything gets cut up very small… dandelion, tomatoes(I used half a dozen cherry tomatoes), a slice of onion, fresh garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a dash of lemon juice, salt and pepper. The perfect addition to a summer meal. I only eat a small amount at a time, like coleslaw. It’s a very flexible recipe. Make it to your tastes and enjoy! 💚
Mince up and put in meat loaf. Yummy
I put the flower in olive oil and when it has marinated for about 2-3 months, I mix it with my cooking oil. You would never know it’s there.
Omgoodness, so much great information ! I can’t wait to try the leaves in my salad…heard you can make wine with dandelion’s as well. Doubt I will do that 😁
I learned several years ago, to make an oil infusion with the dandelion flower…rub the oil on arthritis aches and pains and it will help to ease the discomfort associated with arthritis….pick a jar full of the flower heads and then pour oil – i used Extra Virgin Olive Oil – over the blooms, sit the jar on a windowsill and let soak for 2 weeks…pour out the oil and use as a rub for aches and pains….REALLY helps and the help builds the longer and more frequent you use it!
Hi I’ve been drinking stinging nettle and dandelion tea for awhile and I’m now interested in having more knowledge about the weeds in my paddocks . Very interesting stuff
Excellent post and wonderful blog, this sort of interesting posts I really like, keep it up…
I am so glad this is helpful for you
So funny story, for about a year my small intestine has gotten kinked for seemingly no reason once every other month, except the last 3 months the lower gut pain has been nearly every time I eat . I’ve always eaten well and talen care of myself so the digestion issue disn’t make much senes. Anyways, last week I woke up absolutely craving dandlions, which I’ve tried eating when I was a kid but never eaten consistently So now I’ve been chopping dandy lions into every meal and Ive had no gut pain for over a week. So glad I… Read more »
When is the best time of year for dandelion greens, I was thinking that in the spring they would not be quite so bitter.
HI Pamela,
I love to eat dandelion greens any time of the year that they are available. You can’t get away from the bitterness of dandelion, they are bitter and that is part of their medicine. The bitter flavor is healing, check out my article on dandelion: https://kamimcbride.com/eat-dandelion-greens/
So true I love them gather them in spring I use them n the roots constantly
How about dandelion wine
Sounds good!
my aunty and a. neighbour used to make dandylion wine it was quite tasty.
How about dandelion wine folks
Poke Salad in the south
Poke salad is a different plant.
My mom a would make us pick them every spring
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Dandy lion wine ??
Let’s not forget the flowers!! I make Dandelion Flower Syrup and put the flower petals in white cake batter and muffins. Just like eating sunshine!
SO true! I love those flowers!
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How about dandy lion tea? Same benifitsas eating them
The tea is also bitter! and yes, really good for digestion and nutrition assimilation
When I was just little (50 years or so ago) My Dad made something very similar to the recipe below as soon as the dandelion began to show. It wasn’t one of my favorites back then, but I’ve learned to appreciate it more over the years for it’s nutritional value.
http://www.cooks.com/recipe/i5xp5ra/bacon-dressing-for-dandelion-endive-kale-spinach.html
I think I’ll put a few in my pesto tonight.
Yum!
I love them in egg dishes!
What do u think about juicing them up with some fruits and such?
Great ideaa! dandelion greens are good in juices. I like apple, carrot, celery and dandelion greens