The Old Dog Decides: To Make Friends With an Old Enemy!
The Dandelion. It's beautiful isn't it? It’s edible isn't it? It provides lots of vitamins and minerals doesn't it? It can be used in natural medicine can't it?
The answers to those questions are yes, yes, yes and yes! Despite this I spent multiple decades viewing them as an enemy and digging the dandelions out of lawns where I lived and tossing them out as if they were some form of dangerous vermin. But why?
I've decided to get to know this plant a little better! This one was growing on a little patch of grass in a parking lot!
In North America Dandelions are considered a pesky weed whereas in much of Europe and Asia they are valued for their incredible nutritional value.
The Dandelion Has Many Uses!
The dandelion is one of the world’s most useful plants and can add much to your health and diet. It is rich in Vitamin A and potassium and is more nutritious than broccoli or spinach.
All parts of the dandelion are useful. The young leaves can be used as greens in salads or in just about any recipe calling for spinach. The dried, roasted roots can be used for a coffee like beverage; and the blossoms, for wine! Wow!
Throughout history the dandelion has been used as a liver tonic and cleanser, as a blood purifier and builder, and as a mild diuretic. It is also one of the top herbs in the Chinese medicine chest.
Dandelions Seem to Grow Just About Everywhere!
The big bonus? For people who have a lawn or access to a pasture, dandelions are free! I’m going to try and make friends with this old enemy and use and appreciate it more! It's time to go outside and pick some!
These were growing on a vacant lot in Lugano. That's a lot of salad and medicine available for free!
What About You?
- Do people in your area harvest and use Dandelions?
- Would you like to give them a try like I plan to do?
- Do you have a favorite recipe or use for them?
Thanks for following me on my blockchain travels and I look forward to sharing my adventures with you.
Until next time,
@kus-knee (The Old Dog)
I love nature and eat weeds daily!
Great to see you coming around!
I have always refused to let anyone put weed killer on my lawn because I have always loved dandelions. They turn my yard such a beautiful sunny yellow and it is for such a brief time that I never have felt the need to try to remove them. 2 weeks and they are done! I don't have a lovely green Lush carpet of grass, but that's okay too! I live in the woods. I don't need a golf course.
You are wise!
When I first moved here the spring and the creek were filled with watercress. Since then several homes have been built up the hill and they have beautiful lawns and have Chemlawn come and spray their yards several times a year. The chemicals wash down the hill into the spring and all of the broadleaf weed killers have killed off all of the Watercress that used to grow there. It's been an obvious lesson for me of all the damage those chemicals do.
Oh, yes!!!! Since I was a kid! My dad used to make a dandelion salad and if you got a flower, it was like a bonus. Hey! There were nine kids and they were considered frugal whereas now, we are homesteaders. ;)
I have never scoffed at the dandelion. I was too busy collecting them. Excuse me, can I weed your lawn???
!tip
@kus-knee,
Wow that photography is a pretty great one! Not seen this flower in my country before!
Cheers~
I am the only guy in my neighborhood that does not pay a big tank truck to come over and spray a bunch of chemicals on my lawn...I am not popular in my neighborhood.
I am drinking dandelion leaf tea as I read this. I like roasted dandelion root. I eat dandelion leaves in my salad. I make dandelion wine. Also have made ale using the roots for bitters. Oh and I have made butters with the main ingredient being Dandelion root.
I have a sign at the front of my yard that says “ Experimental Dandelion farm. Please watch where you walk.”
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Cool comment!
source
From me
Great info. Thanks!
Nobody that i know harvests them but next time i'm out and about i certainly will think different about the humble dandelion. will pick and eat:) good to see you back
Let me know how they are.
I'm so glad you are making friends with the dandelions; I wish more people would. They're beautiful and good for bees, too!
But dandelion root "coffee"?? I'm excited! I never heard of that before, must try!
Let me know how the coffee goes!
I really liked this post idea and am looking forward to any recipes people will be leaving. Several years ago I learned how important the dandelion is to the bees that changed my mind about them. The neighbors will just have to get over it.
Lol. Yes the neighbours! It's out of love for them and your life is now easier.
Something tells me they'll live through it.