Macrophotography~Backyard Series~Dandelions

(All photos taken by @paradigm42)
One of the first signs of spring for me is the blooming of the Dandelions. While most consider this truly underrated wildflower a common weed to be eradicated when found, Dandelions are an edible, rather nutritious food and medicinal plant. They also promote healthy soil and attract pollinators.

From flowers to roots, pretty much the entire plant is edible. The leaves can be used cooked or raw in salads and are rich in vitamins A, K, and C. They also contain other vitamins as well as some minerals and antioxidants. The leaves and roots can be dried and made into a tea. The roots are also concidered a coffee substitute.

The flowers themselves are also used in salads and cooked in some recipes. They can also be used to make Dandelion wine. I am lucky enough to have had the opportunity to drink wine made by my good friend's family on a few occasions and can say from experience that it is delicious and packs quite a punch lol!

Use of Dandelions in herbal remedies goes back hundreds if not thousands of years. Some of the uses include; to support healthy liver and kidney fuction, to reduce inflammation, as well as balance blood sugar and some hormone levels. It is also used to promote digestive health.

I hope after reading this that you have a better appreciation for this useful wildflower and edible plant.
Information in this post was gathered from these links and my own knowledge.
https://www.ediblewildfood.com/dandelion.aspx
https://wellnessmama.com/5680/dandelion-herb-profile/
As always thanks for looking in! :)