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.

In addition to its flavor qualities, dandelion is traditionally used in infusions and decoctions as aperitif, tonic, and stimulant; however, studies suggest only a minor effect [17]. It has also been used for many centuries as a remedy for kidney, liver, and gallbladder disorders [27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34].

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.

Dandelion tea is high in vitamin A and vitamin C, both of which boost the immune system and encourages healthy cell growth. It also helps our eyesight and reduces the signs of premature aging. Dandelions are also brightened with vitamin K which helps bone health and is essential to blood clotting.

If you're being treated for liver or kidney issues, you should avoid consuming dandelion or dandelion tea except with their doctor's permission. Dandelion could increase the risk of complications for someone who has kidney disease, in particular.

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.

Why don't we eat dandelions anymore? ›

Because the average everywhere in the U.S. considers dandelions to be weeds and will spray weed killer on them within an inch of their lives. And you may well get sick. If it hasn't been sprayed with weed killer (or similar products), they're good in teas and salads. And yes, they're edible.

You can harvest the flowers, leaves and roots each spring or fall and store for later use by drying the plant parts. There are several ways to dry dandelions for tea. You can simply leave the dandelions out in the sun to dry them and prevent oxidation.

While dandelion is not traditionally known as a sleep-inducing food, we have found using the liver-cleansing properties of dandelion to be a valuable aid in helping sleep. A healthy liver will balance blood sugar. Blood sugar fluctuations and drops are a major factor in insomnia and waking at night.

Chamomile is long thought to be a soothing, calming tea. Indeed, research suggests that long-term use of chamomile can reduce anxiety symptoms. Dandelion root tea isn't often considered a calming tea, but if you've been stressed out for a long time, dandelion tea may be exactly what you need.

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.

“[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 ...

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.

Some compounds in dandelion may decrease triglyceride and cholesterol levels, which are key risk factors for heart disease.