A common plant that most of us in North America consider to be a weed was once cherished by ancient civilizations because of its medicinal properties. The Chinese have been using the dandelion in their medical practices for over a thousand years. The ancient Greeks and Romans were familiar with the plant's healing properties. One writer has said that the dandelion is a growing first-aid kit.
All parts of the plant — meaning the flower, stem and roots — are edible; however, the stem is somewhat bitter. Tea is usually made from the leaves and sometimes from the roots.
Dandelions contain the vitamins A, D, C, K and folate. Some helpful minerals include calcium, potassium and zinc. Antioxidants such as beta-carotenes and polyphenols are also found in the plant. Some testing of the plants shows that dandelions may help to lower cholesterol and triglycerides blood levels but this form of testing has so far only been evaluated in the test tube.
The early European settlers may have brought the first plants to North America in the late 1600s. They were aware of the plant's ancient medicinal values. The plant is now found on all continents except Antarctica One author has stated that dandelions are more nutritious than most of the vegetables grown in your garden.
However, if you are considering dandelion tea or salad, be sure that you are harvesting plants that have not been exposed to herbicides or those growing close to the roadside where automotive toxins could be present.
The early sighting of dandelions heralds one of the first signs of spring. These masters of survival were named by the ancient Normans "dente de lion" because of their lion-toothed leaves.
Many poems have been written about dandelions. Here is one by Hilda Conkling:
Little soldier with the golden helmet,
O What are you guarding on my lawn?
You with your green gun
And your yellow beard,
Why do you stand so stiff?
There is only grass to fight!
Thanks to my neighbor Gail for showing me her recent copy of the Bulletin: Garden Club of America Winter 2024. The article on page 31 titled "The Maligned Dandelion" was interesting and informative. Tea, anyone?
