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 officinal used to be given to all
officially recognized herbs.
About the author:
Kevin Pederson has been managing a number of natural home
remedies websites which have information on
information
on various vegetables, their benefits are being provided with
the inclusion of dandelion and other juices.
