herbal treasure chest: dandelion

dandelion

Dandelion was already growing in our garden. And I guess if you don't have it growing already you just need to wait. Or you find one when it has become whitish and blow it as kids love to do it. Then the seeds will distribute over your lawn and soon dandelions will grow.
Unfortunately too many people see dandelion as weed that they want to get rid of in their gardens. I don't know where this comes from that people only want artificially looking 100% green lawns instead of a natural colorful one. And I personally find dandelions quite beautiful.

medicinal properties:

The roots and the leaves are both used medicinally.
You can drink dandelion root tea and eat dandelion salad where you can use the leaves and the root. It tastes a bit bitter though. Dandelion root is said to be a liver cleanser.
It is said that if you repeatedly for a few weeks put the juice of the stem on warts they will disappear.
Dandelion leaves contain vitamin C as well as iron and potassium.
Dandelion helps with digestion and are used in cases of water retention in hands or feet.

cautions and possible side effects:

Don't collect dandelions and eat them from places that have been treated with herbicides.

dandelion

medicinal properties:

cautions and possible side effects:

further reading: