How’s that going? What have you discovered?
Hopefully, you’re discovering how you’re more easily able to digest your food and be calmer and happier while eating!
Did you miss my last blog post about this topic? You can find it here: 6 Ways to Create a Joyful Space for Eating.
The Dandelion
Dandelions are members of the daisy family, and we see their sunny yellow blossoms popping up in yards everywhere in the spring. Although many consider the dandelion a pesky weed that invades your yard, it’s been used in traditional medicine for centuries.
The dandelion gets its name from the French name for the plant, dent de lion, which means, “tooth of the lion.” The tooth refers to the jagged shape of the green leaves that are seen on the dandelion plant.
St. Hildegard on Dandelions
St. Hildegard shared that all parts of the dandelion are edible and recommended the flowers for a tea or wine. In her book Physica, St. Hildegard included a recipe for making salad out of dandelion greens. She recommended eating it with a dressing of vinegar and garlic.
Health Benefits
Today, we continue to recognize that all parts of the dandelion are edible and can be found in herbal teas and supplements where they’re used as a natural remedy to support a variety of health conditions.
Here are just a few of the health benefits of dandelions:
1. Reduces water weight– If you’re feeling bloated, dandelion tea provides relief as a diuretic.
2. Promotes liver health – The dandelion root has long been considered a liver tonic that detoxifies the organ and supports healthy function.
3. Soothes digestive ailments – If you suffer from indigestion, bloating, and/or constipation, dandelion can help relieve these symptoms.
4. Boosts skin health – Dandelion supports with the removal of dead skin cells which revitalizes the skin, especially helpful with acne or blemish scars.
Dandelions are a wonderful addition to your diet this time of year, after the holidays, and anytime you’d like to support detoxification in your body.
Here are 2 easy ways to include dandelion in your diet. If it’s winter where you are, dandelion tea might be your best option now and when spring comes you can enjoy dandelion salad!
Dandelion Tea
Dandelion tea can easily be found in any health food store that sells herbal teas. It’s a wonderful detox tea. Simply bring water to a boil and steep the tea for 10-15 minutes.
Enjoy up to 3 cups of dandelion tea a day for 2 weeks to support detoxification.
In the spring, if your yard is flooded with dandelions, you can make your own dandelion tea.
- Make sure the dandelions have not been treated with pesticides or other lawn chemicals. Gather flowers, leaves, and roots. Wash thoroughly.
- Chop the roots into fine pieces and roast in the oven for about 2 hours.
- Mix roasted roots and dandelion leaves and flowers.
- Steep for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!
Dandelion Salad
Once the dandelions start popping up in the spring, then dandelion salad is a healthy and nutritious one to enjoy.
Dandelions are quite bitter, but that’s part of why they’re a nourishing addition to our diet!
You can find dandelion greens in a well-stocked health food store in the spring, but also consider picking your own.
Be sure to look for clean areas only. Dandelion greens can absorb pollutants and other toxins. So, avoid picking them near roadways, public parks, or private lawns where they may have been sprayed with chemical pesticides or fertilizers.
Also, harvest dandelion greens from plants that haven’t flowered yet. Once the plant flowers, the leaves can become more bitter.
Preparing Dandelion Greens for Salad
- Wash dandelion greens to remove any dirt or debris.
2. Gently pat them dry with a kitchen towel. Use a salad spinner to dry.
3. Rinse a second time, if needed.
Making a Dandelion Salad
Make a simple dandelion salad by tossing the greens with a splash of apple cider or balsamic vinegar, some olive oil, and minced garlic. If you’d like, top with a few shavings of parmesan cheese or crumbles of goat cheese.
Bon appetit!
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