24 Dandelion Recipes + Health Benefits & MORE! (2024)

FAQs

Which part of the dandelion has the most health benefits? ›

The leaves are used to stimulate the appetite and help digestion. Dandelion flower has antioxidant properties. Dandelion may also help improve the immune system. Herbalists use dandelion root to detoxify the liver and gallbladder, and dandelion leaves to help kidney function.

Yes, the entire aerial portion is edible, including Dandelion's leaves, stalks, and buds, though if you really want to ingest more local nutrition and medicine from your landscape, eat the yellow flower. It may be the healthiest part of the plant.

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.

Dandelion greens can be eaten cooked or raw and are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K. They also contain vitamin E, folate, and small amounts of other B vitamins. Dandelion greens provide several minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium ( 1 ).

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.

When taken by mouth: Dandelion is likely safe for most people when consumed in the amounts commonly found in food. It is possibly safe when taken in larger amounts. Dandelion might cause allergic reactions, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, or heartburn in some people.

Harvest the roots in the Spring through until Fall.

Wash them well, ridding them of as much dirt as possible. Dry the dandelion root whole by hang drying or in a dehydrator. Some people prefer to chop the roots with scissors prior to drying, to ensure a nice and even drying time.

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.

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.

Dandelions pack a whole lot of vitamins and minerals into a small plant. “They're probably the most nutritionally dense green you can eat — outstripping even kale or spinach,” Geib says. Dandelion greens, in particular, are a great source of vitamins and minerals such as: Vitamins A, C and K.

Is raw or roasted dandelion better? ›

A: Roasted usually has a more pleasant flavor, but it won't drastically affect how well it works.

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.

As long as dandelion tea doesn't cause you any issues, it is fine to drink it every day. If you are drinking it medicinally, check the correct dosage with your herbalist. You might want to avoid drinking dandelion tea just before bedtime.

Always wash dandelion greens, flowers and roots before preparing. A salad spinner works great to get excess water off leaves and flowers before cooking. Store any harvested parts in the fridge if they're not going to be used right away.

Documented history dating back to the Native American culture report using dandelion boiled in water to make dandelion tea beneficial for kidney, liver and gallbladder issues. Traditional Chinese medicine touts its ability to treat stomach conditions and episodes of appendicitis.

Harvest by picking off the small leaves and eating straight away. Be sure to wash dandelion greens well, and steer clear of picking them out of public lawns. Those areas are too heavily sprayed with chemicals to warrant eating. Use dandelion greens in salads, or cook them in a sauté.