Dandelion Plant: What Is It For And What Part Can It Be Consumed?
The scientific name of the dandelion plant is Taraxacum officinale Weber. A very sophisticated name for a wild plant! It is distributed mainly in the northern hemisphere, mainly in Europe and America.
For several decades, it was cultivated as a vegetable and eaten in salads. Its flavor is a little bitter (more than arugula and chicory), but its uses are multiple, as this study points out.
Bitter chicory or dandelion is notable for its jagged, hard and rough leaves, but especially for its yellow flower and circular shape.
The fruit is provided with a feathery plume that is often used to blow, making requests. In nature, wind is responsible for seed dispersal, which is why it is so common in large areas.
The dandelion plant has the following nutrients:
- Carbohydrates
- Vitamin B
- Vitamin C
- beta carotene
- Potassium
- Flavonoids
- Oleic acid
- Linoleic acid
- tannins
What parts of the dandelion plant are consumed?
Spring is the best time to gather the tender shoots from the leaves if we want to eat them fresh in a delicious salad. They can also be stored in a cloth bag to dry.
The roots are harvested in late summer or winter and kept in a glass container with an airtight lid. The chicory parts used are:
Sheets
They are like a type of spinach and are eaten raw in salads or well cooked to fill pies, for example. They have a very bitter taste after a while, so it is advisable to eat the buds that are still tender or small.
Some people drink tea made from the dried leaves for medicinal purposes.
Flowers
Before they open, they can be preserved in salt and vinegar as with capers.
They can be fried or added fresh into salads. It is an excellent option that, in addition to being decorative, has many beneficial properties.
Source
When the plant is 2 years old or older (adult) you can cut some of its root, roast it and use it as a substitute for caffeine to make teas. Likewise, different studies claim that the root can be a great ally to prevent certain types of malignant tumors.
It is a much healthier option that also offers us different medicinal benefits, as we will see below.
What is the dandelion plant for? medicinal properties
You already know which plant we’re talking about, now it’s time to learn about its health benefits… and start consuming it!
diabetes medicine
In Europe, it is very common for dandelions to be used by people with diabetes, a problem that affects many people.
Dandelion root has easy-to-digest sugars that make it ideal for people suffering from this disease.
Treats kidney and urinary problems
In France, they often call this plant “pissenlit” (the direct translation would be “bed-wetting”). This is because for a long time, dandelion has been used to stimulate the kidneys to work. However, we need medical approval to avoid any derivative problems that may arise.
It also helps to cleanse these organs to remedy urinary tract infections and remove stones or calculi. It has excellent diuretic power.
Improves the digestive system
Dandelion is a mild laxative that can help those who suffer from chronic constipation.
In addition, it works as a tonic that stimulates appetite in convalescent people, increases bile production and relieves gastric disorders.
It makes the liver feel good
Dandelion is highly recommended for eliminating toxins that accumulate in the body and is therefore related to liver health.
This herb is used to treat different liver problems like hepatitis.
It’s a beauty tonic
The plant has been used for many years to relieve itching associated with dermatitis.
However, there are also cases of allergic reactions due to its use, which alerts us to be careful.
treats anemia
Bitter chicory has a lot of iron in its leaves and can be used to prevent or reduce anemia. It also allows the body to recover after this nutrient has been in deficit for a long time.
Helps maintain eye health
People who are night blind or prone to have some macular deformity can consume dandelion to include vitamin A, beta-carotene and helenin in their diet. These three nutrients stimulate light capture and eye protection. As we can see, it’s not just the carrot that benefits the vision.
Treats varicose veins and hemorrhoids
The reason is the amount of tannins this plant has. It offers relaxing and calming properties to alleviate external peripheral circulatory problems such as varicose veins and hemorrhoids.
In these cases, it is advisable to make sitz baths with the liquid by cooking a handful of dandelion leaves, or passing a cotton ball soaked in tea.
However, we must keep in mind that there are no scientific studies to support this.
Dandelion plant side effects and contraindications
Generally, there are not many adverse conditions for the consumption of this plant, apart from skin allergies or eczema. If ingested in large quantities, it can cause diarrhea, heartburn or stomach pain.
Fresh stalks can cause poisoning in children. The plant’s tincture is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women due to its high levels of alcohol.
In that case, it is better to consume a small portion of the fresh or dried plant. The best thing to do is to consult your doctor before consuming the dandelion plant.
