One of the surest signs the weather is warming this time of year is the lemon-yellow puffs that seem to multiply in the blink of an eye everywhere you look. If you’re like most Americans, there’s a good chance you’ve been trained to believe dandelions are weeds, but herbalists know better. You can use every part of these abundant little wonder flowers, and we’re going to tell you how!
***Before you forage dandelions (or anything else for that matter) make sure you know how the land is cared for. Never forage in an area where pesticides are used. If you aren’t sure if a green space has been chemically treated, it’s safer to pass.
Harvest Time
Dandelions are often plentiful all summer long, but depending on which parts of the plant you hope to use, you’ll want to pay attention to where the little herb is in its growth cycle. If you hope to use the flowers and leaves, it’s a good idea to harvest them early for best taste. On the other hand, if you’re primarily interested in the roots, you can harvest them anytime. If they’ve already gone to seed, don’t forget to make a wish!
Unlike when you pick them to make a wish, you’ll want to take care when harvesting for food. Dandelion roots are tough and deep, which means they don’t always come up easy. The moister and shadier the area you’re foraging, the easier they’ll come up. To remove them, handle them close to the base. As you pull them up, rock the flower gently back and forth to help loosen the soil around the root. In tougher terrain, tools like this one can be a big help.
Snip off flowers and greens either before pulling the roots or immediately as they’ll begin to wilt very quickly. When you remove the flower, make sure to avoid the green area around its base, which while edible, will have a different flavor. Isolate the roots, wash them thoroughly, and proceed to dry them by either using a dehydrator or hanging them. Once dried, you can cut them into pieces or grind them to a powder.
If you’re not able to forage for your own supply this summer, grocery and health food stores usually stock dandelion teas. Locations like our apothecary have a plethora of tinctures and other formulas tailored to your specific needs.
Getting to the Root
Dandelion root can be used as a tea or taken as a supplement capsule in powder form. It has an earthy and bitter taste, so for many dandelion tea is a perfect complement to or substitute for early morning coffee.
We love dandelion root for its cleansing power. Of course this time of year is synonymous with cleaning, and that applies to your body, too! Dandelion is a diuretic. This means it helps you to move water and carry toxins out of your body. The flushing action supports your kidneys, liver, and digestive system. Dandelion can also join the fight against diabetes, helping to keep your sugar metabolism strong. These are only a few of the reported health benefits of dandelion, and many more are being studied, so give it a try and see the impact for yourself.
Culinary Classic
Our favorite use of dandelion greens is adding them to a simple salad. They’re delicious and packed with vitamins. You can use them as an addition to your favorite mixed greens, just as you would an herb like arugula. The Internet is full of tasty recipes for these tender greens, from pesto to smoothies. Use your imagination or your search bar to begin exploring the possibilities.
The flower of the dandelion is as sweet as it looks and makes a great addition to tea or even honey! You can even use them to make a batch of dandelion wine.
If your kitchen witchery extends to skincare, don’t be shy about adding a little dandelion to your formulas. It adds a sweet and soothing element to moisturizers and lotions.
Stop into the Sanctuary and let us know about your dandelion adventures!
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