Yep, you’re right we’re talking about the weed called Dandelion. I always thought of Dandelions as weeds that wrecked havoc on the beauty of my lawn. But wait a minute, there’s another side to these persistent plants.
In fact, Dandelion Greens should be treated with a lot more reverence.
No, I wouldn’t go foraging these greens from my front lawn, there’s no telling what kind of pesticides have been used on the lawn. But these bitter greens are well worth learning more about let’s take a deeper dive into dandelion greens
Dandelion greens are a powerhouse of nutrition and are just as nutritious cooked as they are raw. They are a little bitter, have a similar taste comparable to arugula. I like to throw them into whatever green leafy vegetable I’m cooking and get a bonus of extra nutrients. So, throw them in to whatever green leafy veggie you are cooking for dinner or toss a few into your lunch salads and reap bonus healing nutrients.
Read on to find out what one cup of chopped Dandelion Greens Can Do for You.
Detoxifies the Body and Blood
Dandelion greens may play a role in liver health. A review of studies that looked at a range of liver-protective phytonutrients found dandelion among the wild and semi-domesticated plants with strong potential for liver health. It has a laxative effect, wrote the authors, that may help rid the body of ingested toxins. They noted, however, the need for clinical trials. The article appeared in 2015 in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Strengthens the Bones and Help Prevent Osteoporosis
The greens of the dandelion provide an incredible 535 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin K, possibly more than any other plant food. As we age our bone density decreases. Vitamin K slows down the loss bone mineral loss and the onset of osteoporosis.
Good for Brain Health
Vitamin K has anti-inflammatory properties and helps protect the brain against oxidative stress caused by free radical damage. Oxidative stress can damage your cells and can lead illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. It can help improve memory in older people.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24108469
Good for the skin
Dandelion greens also give the body 112 percent of the daily requirement of vitamin A as an antioxidant carotenoid, which is particularly good for the skin, mucous membranes and vision.
Good for Eye Vision
Vitamin A is also an important part of eye vision care. Remember when you were a kid and your parents said eat your carrots, it’ll make your eyes strong. Well Dandelion Greens have almost as much Vitamin A as the carrot, 7,715 mg (carrots have 11,000 mg).
Good for Weight Loss
Dandelion greens are high in inulin and pectin, which are soluble fibers that may help your body feel full longer, assist with weight control and maintain optimal cholesterol levels. These greens also contain vitamins C and B6, thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, iron (crucial for generating red blood cells), potassium (to help regulate heart rate and blood pressure), magnesium and manganese. Other nutrients present in dandelion greens include folate, phosphorus and copper.
Good Source of the Minerals Calcium and Iron
Although a cup of dandelion greens supplies an array of essential and trace minerals, the calcium and iron content stand out. You’ll get 10 percent of the daily value of each of these minerals in raw dandelion greens, and 11 and 15 percent of the DV in a cooked cup. Among other functions, calcium builds strong bones and teeth and supports a healthy nervous system. Iron transports oxygen to all the cells of your body. The vitamin C in dandelion greens assists with the absorption of their iron content.
Suppresses Inflammation
Dandelion root is also a powerful diuretic it contains germicides which flush which flush the bladder of harmful bacteria. I also use another supplement for bladder infections. Check out the article on using D-Mannose for Bladder Infections.
This is one of the few vegetables that delivers a high vitamin content cooked and uncooked. Here are the nutrients in one cup of Dandelion greens.
https://tools.myfooddata.com/nutrition-comparison.php?foods=11208-11207&serv=wt1-wt1&qty=1-1
Cooking Dandelion Greens
Most vegetables lose potency when cooked, but dandelions provide just as much or more nutrients when cooked. I enjoy them cooked because they have a milder flavor. I toss in a bunch of dandelions, when I’m cooking other southern greens like mustards, turnips and collards. Throw in some kale, and you’ve got a star line up.
You can also add dandelion greens to soups or stews for an extra later of flavor and for an added nutritional boost. I like to toss in a handful of dandelion greens when I’m making vegetable soup.
If you’re making a salad, generously toss in some dandelions and boost up your nutrient quota. To offset the bitterness of raw dandelions, add cheese, or other fruit.
When cooking dandelions, you can remove some of the bitterness by seasoning with baking soda or vegetable broth. Some people also use bacon or other smoked meat when cooking dandelion greens to reduce the bitterness.
If you choose to eat them raw, try balancing the bitterness with a citrusy vinaigrette or adding fruit or cheese to the salad blend. I’ve heard other people say you can harvest them from your own yard, but I wouldn’t do this unless you’re sure about your soil conditions. I’ve had handy workers toss chemicals in my backyard instead of disposing of them properly. Just to be sure, just buy them at your local grocer, organic, of course, or grow your own.
Dandelions are Super Easy to Grow Yourself
They’re easy to grow. I purchased seeds and grew my own in pots. I wouldn’t plant them in the ground as they multiply quickly and will choke roots of other plants such as your grass. Deadhead the flowers when they bloom, or they’ll seed and scatter seeds for new plants everywhere.
Harvest your dandelion greens by rinsing thoroughly and storing in the refrigerator. They will last for two to three days.
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Dandelions are a rich source of beta-carotene and polyphenolic compounds, both of which are known to have strong antioxidant capabilities that can prevent aging and certain diseases.
If you are allergic to plants such as ragweed, daisies or thistle, you may also have a reaction to Dandelion. If you experience allergic symptoms such as itching, swelling or redness, stop using and consult your health care provider.
Additional References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=dandelion
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874107004850
