The SuperStar: Dandelion

by Carole Brown

I love dandelions. Many people find them annoying. Most consider them a weed. But they are so much more.

• Edible. It’s recommended pairing dandelion greens with bacon, goat cheese, nuts and lemon to complement the taste. You can eat every part of the dandelion—roots, stems, leaves and flowers. … People have also incorporated dandelions into several beverages: grinding the roots for a coffee-like drink, or even making dandelion wine.

This innocuous, “weed” is actually one of the most nutrient-dense plants you can eat. It blows superfoods like spinach and kale out of the water. Examples:

1. one half cup of dandelions contain more calcium than a glass of milk, and more iron than spinach.
2. One cup of dandelion greens contains 19 mg of Vitamin C, and the leaves contain more Vitamin A than carrots.
3. And if you need some Vitamin K in your life, there’s no better source than dandelion leaves; 55 mg of leaves contain a whopping 535% of your daily value.
4. Dandelions are also chock full of other essential minerals such as potassium, folic acid, and magnesium. 
5. Dandelion leaves are a great source of fiber (which helps relieve constipation). The high fiber content also makes you feel full, making it a great food to eat if you’re trying to lose weight. 
6. They also help stabilize your blood sugar, making it a great food for diabetics.
7. They are also incredibly high in antioxidants, and because they are a diuretic, they help cleanse your body of toxins.

Here’s a quick recipe to try if you’re brave enough:

• Raw dandelion root, chopped up
• Tea kettle
• Mug
• Strainer, sieve, or cheesecloth
• Hot pad
• Cast iron skillet or other heavy pan
• Flavoring herbs, milk, and sweeteners

1.  Roast the dandelion root lightly to bring out the very best in its flavor. (You can use raw root, but roasted root has a complex and earthy flavor that makes the perfect compliment to cool mornings and cold weather nights.)
2. Bring the water to a full boil.
3. For each 8 ounces of water, you’ll want to add one heaping teaspoon of roasted dandelion root. Steep for 10 minutes to get a full, robust flavor and color.
4. Once the steeping has finished, pour through a strainer, sieve, or cheesecloth to separate the root from the water. Flavor, if desired.
5. When your drink is a safe and comfortable temperature, sip and enjoy!

• Proof! They are a tried-and-true method of proving whether someone loves butter or not. Check it out. Pick the most perfect dandelion blossom you can find, pluck it, and gently but steadily hold it beneath the person’s chin you’re dying to know about their butter likes. IF that said chin shows yellow, well, you’ve got your answer. Butter lover! 🙂

• They’re available as bouquets of flowers for the kids to pick. It’s a ritual that many, many kids have used to gain favor from mothers, grandmothers and other influential people to gain a smile!

Last of all, they’re FREE! Who could ask for more from a SuperStar!