The Health Benefits Of Dandelions

Did you ever pick dandelions as a child? Perhaps you’ve stopped picking them every spring now that you have grown up, but I want to encourage you to start picking them again because dandelions are so healthy and can be used in so many different ways.

Did you know that you can eat dandelions? I’m sure the flowers don’t taste so great, but the leaves are wonderful in a salad and are so good for you too. You cam also infuse the flowers into a dandelion syrup. They detoxify your body, regulate your blood sugar, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, aid weight loss, boost your immune system, and are packed with healthy (cancer fighting) antioxidants. Dandelions are quite the super food! You can also steep the flowers for a detoxifying and antioxidant rich tea or add a dandelion tincture to your juice or drinks to reap the benefits. I like to dry them for use in other recipes.

When used topically like in an infused body oil, lotion or salve, it is hydrating to your skin, can prevent and reverse some sun damage, and even relieves muscle aches and pains.

So the next time someone tells you that they are “just weeds,” you can tell them that they are so much more. I have been harvesting the dandelions that are popping up all over this spring. Pretty soon I will share a few recipes with you. If you would like to try making a dandelion oil or salve, now is the time to collect a basket full of the flower heads so that you can set them aside to dry.

Join me in a couple weeks to try a few recipes including a dandelion infused body oil.