The miracles of nature do not seem miracles because they are so common. If no one had ever seen a flower, even a dandelion would be the most startling event in the world.” Anonymous
The dandelion is a common sight across Asia, Europe and North America. Although it is presently regarded as a weed and a nuisance in some places, it has been cultivated for centuries as a source of medicinal remedies and healthful nourishment by many societies.
The dandelion’s name is rooted in the French language. “Dents de lion” which means ‘lion’s teeth”. Each bloom is composed of tiny, yellow spikes which could be imagined to resemble the sharp incisors of the king of beasts, in a miniature form.
The dandelion belongs to the sunflower family and only opens on sunny days. It
contains many vitamins and minerals and all of its parts are edible. Many people prefer to ingest it in the form of tea because it is easy to prepare and may be sipped at leisure throughout the day.
Snap off a handful of dandelion flowers from the plants growing in your lawn. Steep them in a cup of boiling water for about 20 minutes, strain, add a little sweetener and drink. You have ingested an excellent tonic which will give your immune system a healthful boost.
Dandelion Leaf Tea
Find 6 broad, tender dandelion leaves and tear them into strips. Place them in the bottom of a cup and add boiling water. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes, strain, add a little sweetener and drink. Dandelion leaves contain more beta-carotene than carrots.
Dandelion Root Tea
Dig up about 7 dandelions. Separate the roots and wash them well several times to remove all dirt. Chop roots up into tiny chunks or put through a food processor.
Spread the bits on a cookie sheet and bake them in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 2 hours. They will resemble coarse coffee grounds. Cool.
The baked roots may be stored in an air-tight container for several months. When ready to drink, steep in boiling water, pour through a sieve, add some sweetener if desired, and enjoy. Many have found dandelion root tea to be a satisfactory coffee substitute and as an added benefit, it contains an abundance of vitamins and minerals.
For those unable or unwilling to make their own, dandelion root tea is available commercially in teabags, dried powder form, or in capsules.
IMPORTANT: Never use dandelions which have been treated with pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers or any chemicals.
Our great-grandmothers knew that drinking dandelion tea had numerous health benefits. In the days before antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications and other wonder drugs to be found among modern pharmaceuticals, cultivating picture-perfect lawns and gardens was not nearly as high on their list of priorities as promoting and maintaining the good health of their families.
