Dandelions a familiar weed with bright yellow flowers and ragged, green leaves, growing abundantly throughout the British countryside and on waste ground. The leaves and roots can be used for culinary purposes and dandelions are widely used in herbal medicine.
Dandelions leaves are an excellent source of minerals (especially iron, potassium and calcium) and also contain beta carotene (precursor to vitamin A).
Health Benefits
The leaves are a rich source of minerals involved in many metabolic functions that are essential for good health and disease prevention. Beta carotene has powerful antioxidant properties, helping to protect the body against disease. In herbal medicine, the leaves are used for their natural diuretic properties, and to heal digestive complaints, kidney and liver disorders and to cleanse the blood.
Dandelions is often used in combination with other herbs in natural medicines. Dandelion tea works as a gentle cleanse for your entire digestive tract.
Roasted dandelion root is ground to make a coffee substitute which may ease symptoms of dyspepsia, gout or rheumatism.
The fresh young leaves gathered from non-polluted areas can be used in salads (older leaves have more bitter taste). Dandelion "coffee" is produced as a health drink.
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