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 As cheerful and innocuous as the lowly dandelion is, it ranks among America's most hated plants. People will resort to almost anything to get rid of them, from prying them up by their seemingly endless taproots to dousing them with toxic chemicals. The things we'll do for a pure lawn.
But as most modern herbalists know, the dandelion is, in fact, a tasty, nutricious, useful, and above all, healthful herb.
Dandelions can be used in many ways. The leaves are nourishing, containing high amounts of Vitamins A, B complex and C, as well as calcium, phosphorus, iron, and many other trace elements. According to Susun Weed, author of Healing Wise, regular consumption of dandelion greens will give you better circulation and digestion, cleaner blood, and enhanced kidney and liver function. After all, in these modern times, we are exposed to a lot of toxins just by eating normally and walking around—dandelions can help us detoxify. But there's more. Dandelion leaves also help reduce blood cholesterol and high blood pressure. How's that for free medicine?
The roots are also extremely good for you, but stronger than the leaves, as you might expect. Roots are frequently tinctured (see below) and used as a liver tonic, a heart tonic, an immune booster, and a source of potassium and vitamin C, both of which help guard your body against cancer and cancer-causing free radicals. The root can even be used in cases of anemia, by those with blood sugar problems (the herb balances blood sugar levels), and for all kinds of menstrual and premenstrual difficulties including cramps, fluid retention, and breast tenderness.
The flowers, in addition to being tasty in tea, act as a heart tonic and pain reliever.
And to top off the list, the milky sap found in leaves and flower stems will remove warts, corns, callouses and other stubborn skin maladies.
Are you excited yet? Ok, good. Let's try a few recipes. But first, this word from our legal department...
Warning: If you are using herbicide or pesticide on your lawn or garden, you shouldn't eat anything out of your yard at all as it will contain poisons. Poisons are not good for your health. (For more on how to grow things without resorting to bottled toxins, see our Organic Gardening section...) Dandelions have no documented side effects, but everyone is different. As with any herb, if you have a weird reaction to it, stop taking it.
Pick tender young leaves for salads—they're great mixed with other pungent greens such as cress and arugula, and dressed with a good vinaigrette. Since the dandelion part of this recipe is so easy, I will also include directions on how to make my favorite vinaigrette. Here's how to do it:
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp dijon mustard
1/2 tsp mayo
1-2 cloves of fresh garlic
salt and pepper to taste
Put all the ingredients together in a bowl and whisk vigorously until emulsified. Then pour over your fresh greens for a heady salad experience. Garnish with garlic croutons for extra oomph.
 If you're looking for a good coffee substitute, here's one to try.
First, harvest some dandelion roots (late summer roots are the most 'fat' and full of healthful properties). Don't try to air dry them as they apparently are attractive to bugs and such, and don't dry well using slower methods. But if you dry them in the oven at about 200 degrees for an hour or two, they'll be ready quickly and won't lose much of their nutrient properties. Then, simply grind them like coffee, and prepare yourself a tasty beverage that isn't even all that bitter. This is a good way to dispose of dandelion roots if you feel you really must get them out of your lawn. (Much better for your ecosystem than Round-Up, and the exercise will do you good.)
You know the tiny bottles of tincture that you see for $7-12 in health food stores? Well, you can make your own for practically nothing and it's incredibly easy. In fact, you can use these instructions to make a tincture out of almost any herb, not just dandelion.
First, gather yourself as much dandelion root as you want—a cup or two is probably enough to start. Clean your roots and slice them relatively thinly. Then put them in an appropriate size Bell or Mason jar (or whatever jar you happen to have) and cover with 100 proof vodka. Set the jar in a cool, dark place and within 8 weeks, you'll have a very strong tincture that you can take a couple times a day by the dropperful (with water) as a health tonic. See how easy?
If you've ever had the French liqueur Chartreuse, this recipe may appeal to you. Just gather a whole bunch of dandelion flowers (the big early season blooms work best for this purpose). Place them in a large jar along with a half cup of sugar, a long strip of lemon peel, and the better part of a bottle of vodka. After two or three weeks, you can strain out the flowers, leaving you with a bottle of pleasant, herby tasting liqueur that will remind you of summer and give your heart a lift.
Here's another easy one. You can use flowers or leaves (or both) for this one. Just gather your dandelions, chop the leaves if you're using them, and strip the stems from your flowers. Place in a large jar and cover with a bottle of good cider vinegar. In 4 weeks, you will have a mildly flavored, healthful vinegar to use in salads, cooking, or as a tonic beverage mixed with a couple teaspoons of honey and some water.
Use flowers for this one, since the flowers contain a pain reliever. Collect a jar full of healthy, fresh flower heads and cover with almond or grapeseed oil. Float a couple ounces of 100 proof vodka on top to prevent mold from forming. Cover the jar with a piece of cheesecloth and put it in a warm, sunny place. In about 4 weeks, the dandelion essence will have been absorbed into the oil, making a sunny remedy for joint and muscle swelling and pain, and for any kind of weepy rash or other skin problem.
There now. Don't you feel healthier already? Well you'll feel healthier still is you try some of these recipes! Just remember, dandelion is a slow acting herb with just about no side effects, so try to take your chosen dandelion tonic daily for at least a couple months for best effects. And for chronic ailments, you can take it regularly...
Have fun!
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