3 of 6

Write now Article Tools

Page 5 of 6

are used for making a beer and the flowers for winemaking. Leaves can be eaten raw in salads or boiled like spinach. The seed head was used to interpret the depths of a lover's feelings. If all seeds flew away in one puff, the blower was loved passionately. A few seeds remaining indicated some unfaithfulness. Many seeds left indicated indifference.
The roots have been used to increase urine flow, as a laxative and tonic, to treat liver and spleen ailments, and to stimulate the appetite. In New Mexico, a tea made of the boiled flowers has been used for heart trouble. In pioneer times, the juice of the roots was used to treat liver diseases. Indians cooked and ate the young greens in the early spring to purify the blood, and made a root tea to cure heartburn. A paste made of ground leaves and bread dough has been applied to bruises. The leaves are commonly used for salad greens, and the flowers to make a wine.

As a vegetable, the crowns, or very young rosettes of leaves can be boiled or steamed for 3-5 minutes. Young leaves are also delicious on ham & cheese sandwiches. Roots can be steamed like parsnips. The dried and roasted roots can be ground and used as a coffee substitute. Dandelion wine is a popular beverage with those who know of the healthy tipple. It is high in protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin, niacin, and Vitamins A, B1 & C. It was regarded as an official drug in the U.S. for over a century. It has been prescribed for edema, jaundice, cellulite and "heat in the joint". It has been credited with stimulating the circulation, cleansing the blood, aiding sluggish digestion, relieving constipation and diarrhea, curing stomach aches, calming the nerves and eliminating cholesterol. Decoction: 2 oz roots or leaves in 1 qt water boiled down to 1 pt.
White juice from the stems is used to remove warts and liver spots or at least lighten them up. Tea from the roots and leaves is good for hypertension and a weak heart throughout Europe. Root is good for all kinds of liver problems including hepatitis, cirrhosis, jaundice and toxicity in general, as well as getting rid of gallstones. Bring 1 quart of water to a boil, reduce heat to low and add about 20 tablespoons of fresh dandelion leaves, stems, and cleaned chopped root. Simmer as long as it takes to reduce the liquid to just a pint, then strain. Take 3 tablespoons 6X/day. Capsules are also available from health food stores. High insulin content of the root may be regarded as a sugar substitute for

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Benefits of eating dandelion roots?
We want to hear your view. Write now!