Here is a simple blog post about a simple plant, dandelion. This is by no means exhaustive. Consider this a primer or springboard for further learning.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is in the plant family of Asteracea. The root, leaves, and flowers can be used medicinally or as food. Although a pesky weed, dandelion provide vitamins A, B, C, and D. Other nutrients include: iron, potassium, calcium, and cartenoids.
It's great stuff! Here is a list of things you may do with your dandelion:
1. Add dandelion greens to your spring time salad. The young fresh leaves taste the best, but you can harvest dandelion leaves throughout the season.
2. Use dandelion leaves in place of basil leaves for pesto. I tried this and it was excellent! You won't even miss the basil!
3. Chop the tender root (harvest in spring) as you would a carrot and add to stir fries and soups.
4. Steam your dandelion greens (you could even add other wild greens too) and serve drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice.
5. Gently saute the blooms in butter. The flavor is a lot like mushrooms.
Medicinally speaking, dandelion has been used for poor digestion, water retention, nourishment, skin problems, and supporting liver function.
There's so much more to tell you about dandelion! Since I'm trying to keep this manageable, I will stop for now.
For further learn check out these two books (which are also my references for the blog post):
Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide
Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients into Foods and Remedies that Heal by Roselee De La Foret.
Safety Note: Some people may be allergic to the milky latex in the dandelion stems and flowers. If you develop a rash, simply stop using dandelion.
When trying a new herb out in the kitchen here are a couple tips:
1. Make sure you have the correct plant.
2. Do not use a plant that was harvested from a place that was sprayed or used by animals.
3. Prepare your herb carefully.
4. Give yourself time to taste and smell the herb. What do you notice?
Other Resources for Further Exploration of Dandelion:
https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/dandelion-herb-benefits.html
Edible and Medicinal Wild Plants of the Midwest by Matthew Alfs
Peterson's Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs by Steven Foster and James A. Duke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi9ZEl6MHGo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJz3OXERJCg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBj5E3VEfsM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxJ_reyhH1g
https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=TAOF
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/common-dandelion
http://wildflowerfinder.org.uk/Flowers/D/Dandelion/Dandelion.htm
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