Herb of the Week: Dandelion

Tis the season for all those pesky dandelions to pop up everywhere in your yard. And no matter how much you cut and pull, they always come back. Well those "pesky" dandelions can and do serve a purpose to you and your health. So instead of spraying them and killing them, here are some things you can do with dandelions. 

First a little background info on the dandelion. The dandelion is high in minerals, especially potassium, and Vitamins A, B, C, and D. The systems affected by dandelion are the liver, spleen, stomach, kidney and bladder. It's medicinal properties include alterative, cholagogue, diuretic, stomachic, aperient, and a tonic. You can use it for liver problems, urinary tract infections, skin eruptions, stomach pains, breast cancer or just a simple tea beverage. Dandelion has the capacity to clear obstructions and stimulate and aid the liver to eliminate toxins from the blood. 

• Remember for a simple salad, just pick and wash off the leaves. You can also make a vinegar by filling a mason jar with dandelion flowers, then filling the jar with apple cider vinegar. Cover with a plastic lid and let sit in the sun for about 8 weeks. How yummy to add Dandelion Vinegar to your Dandelion Salad!

Dandelion Tonic

• Pour 2 cups of boiling water over 2 tablespoons of dandelion flowers. 
• Steep, covered, for 10 minutes.
• Strain and sweeten.
• Drink several glasses a day for several days, or for as many days as you can before the flowers are gone.

Dandelion Coffee Substitute

• Wash dandelion roots carefully and spread in a large flat pan.
• Place in an oven at 180 to 200 degrees for up to 4 hours. 
• Turn to ensure drying.
• When the roots are completely dry and cool, you may store them as roots to grind fresh, or you could grind them before placing in a tightly closed container. 
• Use as you would coffee, or mix half and half with commercial coffee.

Dandelion Flower Beer

• Pick 100 dandelion flowers. 
• Boil 4 pints of water with 3 1/2 ounces of light brown sugar until the sugar has dissolved.
• Allow to cool until tepid, then pour over the dandelion flowers in a large container.
• Add a lemon, finely sliced.
• Cover the container with a clean cloth and set aside in a cool place for 3 to 4 days, stirring occasionally. 
• Strain and pour into tightly corked bottles.
• The beer will be ready to drink in just a few days.

Dandelion Jelly

• Pick 1 1/2 quarts of dandelion blossoms. 
• Take the stems off. Rinse the blossoms well. 
• Add 3 cups of water and boil for about 3 minutes.
• Drain well and add 1 teaspoon of lemon extract, and 1/2 teaspoon of orange extract to 2 1/2 cups of the liquid. 
• Mix in a box of pectin and bring to a rolling boil.
• Add 4 1/2 cups of sugar all at once to the mixture. 
• Bring again to a boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and skim off top.
• Put in sterile jars immediately and seal.
• Great in teas, on waffles or pancakes, or toast.