16 Dandelion Recipes | The Prairie Homestead (2024)

FAQs

What are the side effects of dandelion tea? ›

In some people, dandelion can cause increased stomach acid and heartburn. It may also irritate the skin. People with kidney problems, gallbladder problems, or gallstones should consult their doctors before eating dandelion.

Reducing inflammation

Some studies indicate that dandelion extracts and compounds may help reduce inflammation in the body. In one 2014 study , researchers found that chemicals present in dandelions had some positive effects on reducing inflammatory responses.

Not only are dandelion greens safe to eat, but they also provide a range of health benefits. All parts of a dandelion plant are edible, from the top of the yellow flower down to the roots. The green leaves of the dandelion can make a healthy addition to salads, sandwiches, omelets, and more.

Fresh roots and leaves are often consumed in salads. The German Commission E Monographs recommends 3 to 4 g of the root or 10 to 15 drops of root tincture twice a day, or 4 to 10 g of the leaves or 2 to 5 mL of leaf tincture 3 times a day.

Because the potassium in dandelion may impact blood flow and clotting, it's best to avoid dandelion tea if you're taking blood-thinner medication.. For the same reason, someone who is taking blood pressure medication should avoid dandelion tea.

You can drink dandelion tea every day. “Recommendations are two to three times a day,” says Geib. “Start your day with a cup of dandelion root tea and build it up slowly. Its diuretic properties can increase urination, so go gentle and let your body adjust to it first.”

Interestingly, a Korean study found that dandelion may have similar effects on the body as weight loss drug Orlistat. Some data shows that this anti-obesity drug can help reduce the amount of belly fat, the most dangerous fat linked to Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, some forms of cancer, etc.

Soak the leaves in cold, salted water for 10 or 15 minutes, then cook them in boiling water until tender (no more than five minutes). Finish by sautéing the boiled greens with some olive oil, onion or garlic. Top with Parmesan cheese. Flowers: Dandelions' sunny blossoms give color to a salad.

According to Keene, many people drink dandelion tea daily (with some drinking it up to four times per day). “[Drinking dandelion tea] any time of day is completely fine because it is caffeine-free, but there are two times of the day I would recommend not having it,” instructs Ross.

Dandelions are a good source of food for humans and animals, require little fertilizer and water, and prevent soil erosion. Grass lawns use energy, fertilizer and water, that is wasteful.

Are dandelions 100% edible? ›

Dandelions are entirely safe to eat, and all parts of the plant, including the roots, leaves, and flowers, are edible.

The antioxidants can help you stay healthy and happy all year long. Brew your dandelion tea using roots, flowers, or leaves. You can forage for dandelions in the woods or pluck them right in your own garden.

The dandelion's supposed medical benefits are alluded to in nicknames like heart-fever grass and live-long. There's also dog-posy and dog-stinker, both of which tie in with the Italian 'dog-pisses'.

In an air-tight container, pour vodka over the chopped dandelion roots, completely covering them. 3. After a quick stir, seal the container and allow it to sit in a cool dark place for 1 - 3 months, dandelion roots need at least 1 month to infuse into the tincture.

Bodybuilders commonly use a tea made of dandelion root to quickly lose water weight and attain a more chiseled look before a competition. The root tea is also thought to soothe an upset stomach and improve digestion, but these uses are generally based on anecdotal evidence.

Dandelion leaf is a safe and gentle herb for stimulating the kidneys and helping them to function efficiently. It contains bitter glycosides, carotenoids, potassium, iron and other minerals, and is regularly used by herbalists to treat fluid retention which often causes swollen ankles and generally puffy skin.

By supporting bile production, we're literally supporting oestrogen removal. It can help improve liver function. The liver works in two phases, phase 1 and phase 2, if either of these phases aren't working properly, oestrogen detoxification will be impaired, so dandelion tea is giving this a little boost.

“[Drinking dandelion tea] any time of day is completely fine because it is caffeine-free, but there are two times of the day I would recommend not having it,” instructs Ross. “First is right before bed, because it is a diuretic and you don't want to be up in the bathroom all night ...

Some compounds in dandelion may decrease triglyceride and cholesterol levels, which are key risk factors for heart disease. Some of the polyphenols in dandelion, such as flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, may have cholesterol and triglyceride-lowering properties ( 5 ).