The dandelion leaves are great for added calcium and bone support.  You can add these to salads; stir fries, use like spinach, or juice them. I dry a bunch and eat them before meals with my kids, so we all get the medicinal benefits.

The leaves are great for teenagers with acne too because the leaves and roots help purify the liver, kidneys and the blood thus improving the appearance of the skin.

 Dandelion Sauté

 4 cups chopped dandelion leaves

2 cups grated wild or regular carrots

several cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp wine

1 Tbsp tamari soy sauce

3 cups chopped onions

3 Tbsp olive oil

Pepper to taste

Sauté the chopped onions in the olive oil and when soft, add the dandelions, carrot, garlic, wine and soy sauce. Cook for 10 to 20 minutes until all the flavors blend. (Identifying an Harvesting Plants in Wild, and Not so Wild, Places)

Benefits of Dandelion Article - Herb Garden Lady sister website

 

How to Roast Dandelion Roots

 Cut off the leaves and scrub the roots. Lay the roots on a baking sheet with the oven turned to its lowest setting and the door ajar. It may take 3-4 hours until the roots are shriveled and snap easily. They are done when the insides of the roots are dark brown.

•  Grind these up and add to homemade herbal teas blends according to recipe directions.

• Place ground mixture in a table salt dispenser and sprinkle on foods for added healthy benefits

 

Dandelion Tea 

 

  You can make tea with the dandelion roots or flowers.

 

• Steep about one tablespoon of the stems or flowers for 30 minutes in five ounces of boiling water.
• Strain the roots and flowers or drink them up with your tea.
• This recipe can be doubled or tripled if you plan on making several days’ worth of tea.
• Other herbs to add: Peppermint or Chamomile for flavor and calming effects

 

You may also like this article by Vermont Lavender

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