Dandelion!

I just love spring when everything starts to bloom again after a dark and gray period like we had this winter.

Just look at the lawn where the little nice suns start to shine, Dandelions
We called them and is commonly known as WEED...!?
What weeds? Dandelions are vitamin-rich, a long-lasting nature, making their way through asphalt and concrete.
 
Why should we fight the Dandelions...?
Instead, discover the healing and culinary skills that the Dandelion has.
Did you know that dandelion is considered one of 14 most important wild plants in a survival situation...
 
The dandelion is perfect for the Bees and its survival, The dandelion has the HIGHEST rating on NECTAR.
No Bees, no life!!

Dandelion is used in various herbal remedies that are inserted when slag substances in the body are to dissolve, it increases the secretion of these passing the kidneys and liver.
 
Medical action of dandelion:
* CARMINATIVUM = Prevents flatulence.
* STOMATIKUM ( amaramedel) = Stomach strengthening, prevents relaxation of the stomach, stimulates the production of digestive fluids.
* X-RAY MASKULATION = Forming vital proteins secreted in the blood, it has been shown to facilitate the diagnosis of diseases of the body.
* CHOLAGOGUM = increases bile production.
* DIURETIKUM = Diuretic, does not give potassium deficiency, is very potassium rich.
* MESENKYMACTIVE = Dissolves slag substances in connective tissues.

Dandelions are rich in Potassium, Magnesium which improves liver and biliary functions and good deters and cleansers, we have now understood.
 
Contains more Iron and Protein than Spinach.
Vitamin - A, Vitamin - C, Vitamin - D, Vitamin - B, carbohydrates, beta-carotene, potassium, flavonids, oleic acid, linoleic acid and tannins.
 
It is possible to eat the whole dandelion, from flower to leaf and down to the root, everything is edible!
 
Flower
Dandelion flowers you can make syrup, it should taste like honey.
Since vegans don't eat honey, dandelion syrup is a better option for them...
 
Pick the flower buds and fry them, some people like to dip the flower in plain pancake batter and fry... with the possibilities and imagination you get far!
 
The dandelion flower can be used in the salad...
 
Do you want to make Dandelion wine (now legal at least in Sweden!) be prepared for the fact that it takes kilos of flower to make on batch...

It is important to complete the cleansing, remove the yellow flower from the green within a few hours after collecting the flowers.
I was through it myself a few years ago and it was a ... I'm going to say tough or hard work... do not really know, but also relaxing there in the sun ... the reward came of course after a few weeks ... when the flowers are cleared, the wine preparation began immediately.
 
Or why not make a good dandelion marmalade!
 
Important!
Before you start using the Dandelion flower, put it first in cold water for a while and then you get out all the bugs that have settled there inside the flower!!
 
Leaves
There are a lot of bitters in the plant, you should use the leaves in a salad, put the leaves first in water about 30 minutes to pull out part of the bitter.
 
The leaves are good in both smoothies, salad or Pesto. The leaves also have a high content of Vitamin - C...
 
FLOWER STALK
The plant juice is abundant in the Dandelion stalk, contains the bitter substance Taraxacin and should you eat AMOUNTS it can cause stomach upset, nausea and diarrhea.
If you eat a small amount, it is considered harmless.
 
JUST RIGHT IS THE BEST!
As with everything else.... never overdose, and this also applies to dandelion.
* During pregnancy or breast-feeding, do not use Dandelion Preparations!
The milky juice of the dandelion from the stem is used to relieve itching when, for example, the dandelion is used. insect bites or dampen the burning from stinging bees.

ROOT 
The root contains about 23% carbohydrates. Peel the root and leach it before cooking, after about 15 minutes of cooking it can be eaten. sometimes a second boil may be needed to remove a bit more from the taste of bitterness.

 It is not only negative with the bitter taste of the dandelion because it is the one that initiates the secretion of digestive enzymes, bile from the liver. So both appetite and digestion improve and also the function of the liver and bile. What suits me perfectly is also that the pancreas is stimulated to regulate blood sugar!
 
The roots can be used to fill  out in gratin, steaks, pies, raw shrimp but keep in mind that the root is bitter so I want to remind you to cook it a few times before you put it in the food.

You can slice, dry, roast the roots, excellent as caffeine-free coffee surrogate.

There are a number of active substances in the various parts of the plant that are used in different types of disorders ... good against constipation, atherosclerosis, gout and rheumatism. And used in various "Purification".

According to ancient folklore, dandelion was protecting from Witches and Trolls...
Probably I think that Witches and trolls had a little more knowledge about nature and the wild plants!
 
Note!
Keep in mind that your stomach may have to get used to wildplants  if you are not used to be eating WILD PLANTS. As you eat more, the natural bacterial in your stomach increases...  eat a little in the beginning and then increase as you go ...
 
A LITTLE FUN!
Dandelion in French is called "pissenlit" = "Pi in bed" , then you understand the plant's strong diuretic quality ...
 
Remember...
THE DANDELION IS NOT JUST A WEED OR OUR ENEMY BUT AN ASSET!!
 
/ NINA