Dandelions

It’s been said that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure and this is certainly true of the humble dandelion. Though regarded as an annoying weed by homeowners who go to great lengths to eradicate it from their lawns, this hardy little plant has been used in Chinese and Native American medicine for hundreds of years. European herbalists agree that the leaves, roots and flowers may be helpful in treating a number of ailments, and is arguably most commonly recognized for its benefits to the liver.

Dandelion may react with certain medications such as Lithium, antibiotics or antacids so a physician should be consulted before taking this herb and people with allergies to iodine or such plants as daisies, chrysanthemum, chamomile, ragweed, marigold or yarrow may not tolerate dandelion well.

According to University of Maryland Medical Center, the dandelion contains vitamins A, C and D as well as B Complex and minerals such as iron, potassium and zinc. Green leafy vegetables should be part of a well balanced diet and this hardy herb is readily available although caution must be used when picking it to make sure that no pesticides or weed killers have been sprayed on it.

The leaves may be used in salads or cooked like spinach although they need a bit longer cooking time than spinach. Between the 10th and 11th centuries in the middle east, the dandelion was thought of as a kind of wild endive and today is sometimes cooked in much the same way to remove bitterness and produce a milder flavor. Modern naturalists suggest picking the leaves in the spring when they are young and before the plants flower, for the best taste.

The roots which are most often dried and ground contain a whopping 40% inulin, a fiber common in fruits and vegetables, although naturalists debate as to the time of year when the roots reach these levels. Dandelions have a long tap root that can grow as deep as several yards into the soil. This is part of the reason they are difficult to eradicate. Merely breaking the root at ground level leaves plenty of deep root from which this herb can propagate.

Throughout the world, there are about 40 varieties of dandelion and imports of the plant for medical use in the US alone, tallied in at about 100,000 pounds in 2003 according to WSU Extension’s Regional Garden Column.

The diminutive dandelion is both a hated weed and a valued herb that can be a bane or a boon. Perhaps it’s time for a new perspective on an old enemy after all, it’s very easy to grow with minimal care and easy to find just about anywhere.