I saw some children the other day picking dandelions, making necklaces and bracelets. I remembered doing the same as a child. My friends and I used the golden flower to discover whether we liked butter by placing the golden flower under our chins. If the yellow of the flower reflected on the skin, we liked butter. Years later I rediscovered the wonders of the “weed” dandelion.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “A weed is an herb whose virtue has not been discovered yet.” Of all the unappreciated herbs known in American culture, the dandelion definitely joins the contenders for the top of the unwanted list. During Spring and Summer great efforts to eliminate these cheery blossoms from yards and gardens go on and on. This weed shows its hearty and enduring nature by seeming to appear in greater numbers every year. We might be grateful some day for these weeds endurance and utilize them for the great worth they possess.

Now you may want to know what’s so great about the lowly dandelion. Yes, it does grow where least wanted, worldwide in Northern temperate climate zones. As one of the first wild edibles to appear in the Spring, one of the major benefits of this weed to your body comes from its capacity to clear obstructions and stimulate the liver to detoxify unneeded hormones, chemicals, contaminants, toxins and ammonia from the blood. Dandelion has the properties of a marvelous and effective blood purifier, and the key herb of many kidney and pancreas herb formulas.

The root of the dandelion works well as a laxative, tonic and diuretic, and benefits liver and spleen ailments, eczema, gout, rheumatism, and heartburn. Another major benefit of dandelions comes from their effect on the kidneys. Sodium and potassium rich dandelions provide these natural nutritive salts needed by the kidneys to purify and destroy acids in the blood and maintain fluid balance in the body. As a trusted diuretic, dandelion enhances rather than depletes the body of potassium,. Increased mobility and decreased stiffness of the body comes from using dandelion in your diet.

Rich in vitamins and minerals, dandelion contains 25 times more vitamin “A” than tomato juice, and 50 times more vitamin “A” than asparagus. For a delicious addition to your green salads, use the young leaves. As the seasons wear on, boil the leaves to remove the bitter taste. Use roasted dandelion roots as a coffee substitute (like chicory). Steam the crowns and eat as a vegetable. Have you heard of dandelion wine? It comes from the flower.

Caution Do Not Use Plants That Have Been Poisoned With A Weed Killer.

Herbalists and users consider the plant to be an alterative, bitter, cholagouge (increases bile flow), diuretic, stomachic and tonic. As a flower essence, it helps people who tense up from over-organizing and over-extending themselves. It helps people to relax. The flower essence also relaxes the solar plexus and helps bring down a hiatal hernia. Many also consider dandelion a great herb for the stomach and for stabilizing blood sugar levels. It has also been used for anemia and enjoyed as an herbal tea.

Some of the most other common uses of this versatile herb include: abscesses, acne, age spots, lack of appetite, arthritis, boils, diabetes, gallstones, hepatitis, infection (kidney and bladder), jaundice, obesity, poisoning, rheumatism, stones and water retention.

So, instead of poisoning this friendly little flower, we might try eating it instead, or you might consider buying it at your favorite health food stole or fresh salad mixes.