One of the first hints that spring has sprung is the appearance of sunny yellow dandelions throughout the United States. Sadly, this very useful plant has gotten a bad wrap and is disparaged as a “weed”, eliciting disdain among some gardeners and triggering chemical warfare on lawns across America.
But there are many reasons to love and respect these sunny little flowers. Fun fact: The dandelion is the only flower that represents the 3 celestial bodies of the sun, moon and stars. The yellow flower resembles the sun, the seed puffball resembles the moon and the dispersing seeds resemble the stars.
Here are 6 reasons to stop calling the dandelion a “weed” and recognize it for its benefits and versatility. So stop pulling those dandelions and stop spraying toxic Roundup herbicide or other weedkillers on them.
Reason #1
After winter, dandelion flowers are, in many cases, the first source of food for bees and other pollinators, providing pollen and nectar. With the ongoing decline of bee and pollinator populations due to widespread synthetic pesticide use and habitat loss, these beneficial insects need all the help they can get. If you have a yard that has other early-flowering plants, dandelion flowers aren’t necessary for bees and can be harvested for your own consumption.
Reason #2
Dandelion leaves are edible and are loaded with Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin K. They are also a good source of Vitamin E, potassium and folate. And they contain more calcium and iron than spinach. Popeye, take note! Dandelion leaves are on the bitter side, so chop some up and toss them into your salad mix or boil them in soup to reduce the bitterness.
Reason #3
Dandelion flowers are edible and high in antioxidant polyphenols. Just like the leaves, you can throw them into a salad and eat them raw. You can also make tea from the flowers and leaves. Steep chopped flowers and leaves in a cup of water for 5 minutes and, voila!
Reason #4
Dandelion roots are – you guessed it – edible! Again, after washing, the roots can be eaten raw. Dandelion roots can also be made into tea or coffee and there are many recipes on the internet. The roots are also part of the ingredients list for many homemade root beer recipes.
Reason #5
Dandelions contain compounds that have medical and curative properties. More research is needed, but dandelions are known to help with inflammation, lower blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, improve liver health, and have anti-cancer effects. It’s crazy to try to eliminate a plant that has so much medicinal potential.
Reason #6
Dandelions can be made into rubber. Over half of the rubber consumed worldwide is synthetic and made from polluting fossil fuels. Natural rubber from rubber trees is linked to deforestation. Rubber made from dandelions could be a far more sustainable way of producing rubber. Unfortunately, the American Sustainable Rubber Company and Ohio State University began working on developing GMO dandelions specifically for rubber production. GMO dandelions haven’t been studied for their environmental, ecosystem and wildlife impacts and are not something we should support!
These 6 reasons could be the tip of the iceberg for the mighty dandelion. Dandelions are one of the most nutritious foods in the world and are able to grow nearly anywhere, in less-than-ideal soil conditions. And for most people, they are free. It’s a tragedy that we humans would try to annihilate such a beneficial plant.
What other uses do you have for dandelions? If you have recipes, please share them for the benefit of others. Comment below!
My Italian grandmother always cooked these for me (and the rest of her family) when I was a child. Dressed them in olive oil and a squirt of lemon. Delicious! Whole Foods usually has them in stock…
Did your grandmother cook the dandelions first or did you eat them fresh?
Dandelion wine
We ate them raw in our salad with olive oil and red wine vinegar. I eat them when I can.
I have a dandelion root tea that helps with my digestion tract when the artiritis is affecting it. A spot of honey in the tea helps with the bitterness. It is wonderful to learn more about the different uses and properties of a simple plant i can see out my window growing in the yard.
My Italian father and aunt would make salads with the dandelion greens. My father also made dandelion wine.
Dandelions with their long root system help to aerate your lawn.
Thanks. Once again, I learn that the negative brainwashing about what a “WEED” is has caused me to avoid dandelions. I have hoed and pulled these plants out of the ground when I should have been harvesting them. They are a resilient plant for sure. How did they ever get such a bad rap.
It’s the best heart medicine plant known to man. Oddly enough the same company that makes synthetic heart medicine also produce Round UP… No such thing as coincidences
Last night I made stir fry with scrubbed and chopped dandelion roots and onion, then tossed in chopped dandelion greens and lacinato kale. Enjoyed it with rice. Delicious. Young white roots, not the older dark ones.
I would like for you to send me your stir fry with dandelion.
It’s been a year but I’d sure like your recipe for dandelion stir fry also. If you have time.😊
Dandelion wine
With many health issues including cancer I would love to know where to get recipes that use dandelions, there are many growing near me (and they look beautiful.)
I wouldn’t know where to start with cooking with them and what parts to use,
But I must say, my tortoise loves them..
My Granny came here from Lithuania over 120 yrs ago. We had Dandelion soup with the greens/potatos/onion and a bacon and grease with flour s &p rue and water. Yummy. Also had the greens wilted, with bacon/flour. And she would boil the greens a little in sugar water if they were bitter, and add them to mashed potatos with bacon bits. Yummy!!!
sirop de fleur de pissenlit très bon cueillir les fleurs ou il n’y as pas eu de désherbant dans votre pelouse ci vous en avez avant la tonde ou dans un ravel ou la il n’y a que de la verdure propre sans désherbant passez les a l’eau sans les pressez juste pour les dépoussiérer mettez les trempé dans de l’eau propre une nuit puis pressez les pour en sortir tout le nectar ajoutez 500 gramme de sucre de canne dans l’eau faite bouillir puis diminuer la lame et laissez cuire doucement a petit bouillons au bout d’environ 3 quard d’heure prenez équivalent d’une petite cuillère a café et mettez le a refroidir dans une petite assiette quand le le sirops es refroidis ci il ne coule plus de l’assiette et qu’il ressemble a du miel il es cuit vous pouvez le mettre en pot le laissez refroidir il ce conserveras des années mais c’est tellement bon sur les crêpes la crème glacée les beignets sur une tartines que cela seras vite parti bon appétits vous pouvez employez pour la pâtisserie faire de la crème glacée tellement de chose bonne pour votre santé bon appétits
I would like for you to send me your stir fry with dandelion.
I have known about Dandelions, but I really loved reading this. Thank you, Judy
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I loved reading about Dandelions. I had someone recently tell me the same things about Dandelions. Sadly, I can’t find any where I live growing naturally. Is there any place to buy seeds or starter plants of Dandelions? Thanks!