Before the time of cherries, comes the time of dandelions. They can be seen on the roadside with their serrated leaves and the first yellow flowers. with their serrated leaves and the first yellow flowers(1,2). another name: lion's teeth, which gives dandelion in English(2). There are also dandelions in my vegetable garden. I do not weed it, on the contrary.
The young shoots can be used to garnish our salads, soups or vegetable puddings. The taste of the dandelion being rather bitter, we do not use it as a main course but it is an herb that perfectly accompanies many starters!
Traditionally, the fresh leaves are combined with mesclun, a salad of young shoots in which lettuce, arugula and spinach shoots are mixed together(1).
Dandelion leaves can be blanched like spinach leaves before eating. This softens their taste(3).
Is it an ideal ideal depurative plant for spring?
Nature does things right. The dandelions are popping up in your cities and gardens at the very time your body needs a detox your body needs a detox(2,3).
It is the principal benefit recognized with the dandelion: it detoxifies the body(3). This action comes from its diuretic qualities qualities: it avoids water retention as its vernacular name indicates it in a a little trivial.
It helps the gallbladder to do its work of elimination. Because of this, herbalists say of dandelion that it is a cholagogue(2,3).
Dandelion also stimulates the action of the liver, the the great filter of your body. This action is said to be choleretic(2,3). an anti-inflammatory action. Finally, the dandelion is also recognized for its anti-rheumatic action(3).
It is an herb that heals, nourishes and cuts the hunger. It is indicated for the cures of detox, even diets, even if these are not my cup of tea!
In any case, dandelion is therefore anything but a weed. And the market gardeners realized it, because today you can sometimes find it on their stalls.
Is it a plant rich in nutrients?
The root of the dandelion is deep. This allows the plant to get many minerals. So much the better for those who consume it(3)! Dandelion provides you with a lot of potassium, the benefits of which are numerous. Potassium helps you to(4) :
- regulate your heart rate ;
- maintain the acid-base balance balance of your body;
- synthesize (produce) the proteins proteins your body needs;
- help your muscles recover;
- to keep your kidneys working well. kidneys.
It is a very important mineral for your body. The dandelion also brings you :
- iron that gives you energy(5),
- vegetable calcium, very assimilable and good for your bones(6),
- copper for your immune system(7),
- manganese, which promotes the proper functioning of your metabolism(8) ;
- silica which is a structural element for collagen necessary for cartilage and muscle tissue(9).
In short, this beautiful serrated leaf is a concentrate of minerals which come to play on multiple processes of your body.
In addition, it contains vitamin C, antioxidant, in vitamin D, good for the immunity and in vitamin K, useful for the the cardiovascular system(10).
Note, moreover, that the dandelion leaf and root also provide you with inulin, a soluble dietary fiber that feeds your that feeds your intestinal bacteria. (11,12,13).
The dandelion provide you with choline?
This is another characteristic of the dandelion that may make you want to put it on your spring plate. springtime. Choline is a naturally occurring essential nutrient that is essential for the liver and brain(12).
It used to be called vitamin B7. But because the body can only produce a small amount, it has been the body can only produce a small amount, it has been removed from the vitamins and vitamins to be classified in a less known category: betaines(12).
Choline helps your body to metabolize fats. It plays a role in the structure of cell membranes as well as in the as well as in the transport of lipids.
It allows the liver to function optimally. optimal. It helps it in the treatment of fats and, thus, it limits the risk of limits the risk of liver damage. It could also limit the risk of of diabetes(12).
Finally, choline plays in the functioning of the brain and the nervous system. It is for example very important in the memorization process!
What are the benefits of the root of the dandelion root?
I mentioned above the young shoots of dandelion that you can add to your salads, but the herbalists when they think of this exceptional plant, which they call taraxacum officinale, will certainly praise its roots(3).
They are also listed in the Vidal, the dictionary of doctors(14). You will find that dandelion roots contain taraxacin, which gave it its scientific name. It is a mixture of bitter substances with inulin(14).
These concentrated substances reinforce the medicinal virtues already found in the leaf(14) :
- choleretic: good for the liver;
- and cholagogue: useful for the emptying of the gallbladder.
The decoction of roots of dandelion accompanies a detox cure, a difficult digestion, constipation and arthritis. It supports the elimination of toxins and can, of this fact, improve the complexion (14).
How to use dandelion dandelion for the skin?
You can use the roots to try to improve a dermatosis or skin disease(15). Herbalists consider that dandelion decoction can have effects on eczema dandelion decoction can have effects on eczema, acne, psoriasis and warts(15).
In this perspective, you can also use a mother tincture and even capsules. use a mother tincture and even capsules. In addition, the fresh roots can also be used as a poultice also be used as a poultice to put on the affected area(15).
The medicinal virtues of the dandelion have then detoxifying effect on the skin. The cataplasm becomes like a soothing soothing bandage.
How to make dandelion root coffee?
Dandelion roots can also be used as a coffee substitute. substitute for coffee. That said, with "dandelion coffee" you will have the bitterness the bitterness but not quite the taste...
The advantage of this hot drink, however, is that it is is that it is healthier, more ecological and more economical if you prepare it if you prepare it yourself with roots that you have harvested. The disadvantage of this formula is that it requires a little patience and organization.
The best time to harvest the roots is in the fall. If you want to make a "dandelion coffee", you can do so in four steps dandelion coffee", you can do it in four steps:
Step 1: harvest the roots and let them dry.
Step 2: Brush the roots to remove the soil. Just like with mushrooms, brushing them prevents them from getting waterlogged when washing them.
Step 3: Cut the roots into slices.
Step 4: Heat your oven to 225°C.
Step 5: Place the root slices on a baking sheet. on a baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes. The time also depends on the size of the roots. The thinner they are, the faster they the faster they roast.
Step 6: use a coffee grinder to grind the roasted roots.
Step 7: Store your ground roots in an airtight container for 12 months.
You can use this coffee substitute in a coffee maker for example.
References:
- https://www.perledunord.com/savourons-chaque-jour/les-vertus-secretes-du-pissenlit/
- https://www.passeportsante.net/fr/Solutions/PlantesSupplements/Fiche.aspx?doc=pissenlit_ps
- https://sante.journaldesfemmes.fr/fiches-sante-du-quotidien/2674303-pissenlit-bienfaits-sante-racine-feuilles-mefaits-tisane-foie-danger-infusion/
- https://www.passeportsante.net/fr/Actualites/Dossiers/DossierComplexe.aspx?doc=10-bienfaits-potassium
- https://www.passeportsante.net/fr/Solutions/PlantesSupplements/Fiche.aspx?doc=fer_ps
- https://conseils.eau-vive.com/alimentation/calcium-vegetal-tout-savoir/
- https://alvityl.fr/oligo-elements/cuivre/
- https://alvityl.fr/oligo-elements/manganese/
- https://www.jevaismieuxmerci.com/conseils/silicium-quels-sont-les-bienfaits-de-cet-oligo-element-sur-la-sante-172.html
- https://www.argalys.com/tout-savoir-sur-la-vitamine-k-role-bienfaits-et-carence/
- https://www.laboratoire-lescuyer.com/nos-actifs/choline
- https://www.alloprof.qc.ca/fr/eleves/bv/sciences/la-synthese-des-proteines-s1228
- https://www.aroma-zone.com/info/fiche-technique/actif-cosmetique-inuline-bio-aroma-zone
- https://www.vidal.fr/parapharmacie/phytotherapie-plantes/pissenlit-taraxacum-officinale.html
- https://www.nutrimea.com/fr/56-pissenlit
- https://www.fermelavalsedessaisons.com/caf%C3%A9-de-racines-de-pissenlit-recette-et-utilisation