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.

Yes, dandelions are safe to eat—and they're full of flavor and nutrients, too. Although many gardeners might think of dandelions, first and foremost, as pesky weeds, the plant is a bit misunderstood. You may be surprised to learn that the answer to "Can you eat dandelions?" is a definite yes.

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 ).

Does Mowing Dandelions Spread them? Mowing dandelions does not contribute to the spread of them, but it also does not stop the spread. To stop the spread of dandelions, you must reduce seed spreading by collecting the dandelion seed heads into a bag and taken out of your yard.

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.

Dandelion numbers can also be attributed to the previous year's growing conditions. For example, the wet conditions last spring can influence this spring's dandelion crop. Grass cannot grow deep enough roots in oxygen-poor, damp soil, which will give dandelions more room to grow in.

The entire plant is edible, from the flowers to the roots. These are some of my favorite recipes that I enjoy each year from the dandelions that grow close to me. *Note: Dandelions are often seen as a scourge destined for eradication, so use caution when gathering.

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. I like my greens wilted with a little bacon and an egg in the morning.

In fact, nearly the entire plant can be consumed in one way or another. The only inedible part is the stem, which contains a very bitter, milky substance.

What is the healthiest way to eat dandelions? ›

Sauteeing the greens with olive oil and garlic is a good treatment for any leafy green. Boil the greens for 5 minutes, then sautee them in a pan of hot olive oil and garlic for up to 5 minutes. Baked. Similar to how you might bake kale chips, you can make dandelion leaf chips by baking them in your oven.

Cleaning Dandelions

Swish the greens around in a deep pan through several changes of water. Then, cut open the crowns without severing the leaves and scrape debris from each rosette before submerging the greens for a final rinse. Washed dandelion greens.

"Dandelions can actually be beneficial for your yard," Chris Garrett from Evergreen Lawn & Pest Control tells Best Life. "Dandelions attract bees, which are important pollinators. They also attract other beneficial insects, like ladybugs and lacewings. And dandelions are a good source of food for birds."

Whacking off the yet-to-seed flower heads will help in that case -- IF you get back to finish the job before a new set of flowers comes up and matures. Even if your dandelions don't seed this year, letting the plants behind will result in a bigger weed that'll produce even more flowers next year.

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.”

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.

It Could Promote Liver Health

Preliminary studies suggest this is due, in part, to its ability to increase the flow of bile. Naturopaths believe it means that dandelion root tea could help detoxify the liver, help with skin and eye problems, and relieve symptoms of liver disease.

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.