August 19, 2017
Dandelion: Can you really eat Dandelion?
Writen by Naomi Whittel |
Published on: August 19, 2017
I’ve learned firsthand through my rugged and wise 80-year-old grandmother whom I affectionately refer to as “Mutti,” (which is German for mother) how important it is to harness one of the most important lessons from nature. She modeled that by slowing down, you’ll often realize that what you are looking for is often right in front of you. Mutti taught me to appreciate this wisdom through her love and reverence of Dandelion. To my herbalist grandmother, Dandelion was more than just a weed, but a sacred herbal remedy capable of reversing many imbalances in the body brought upon by the toxic aftermath of modern living.
Mutti passed her love for Dandelion on to me by frequently having me go out and pick baskets and basketfuls of them when I was a little girl. At the time I knew enough to trust her knowledge and wisdom and now decades later, I too have come to see that this plant is more than a just weed, but a spectacular remedy to help us women celebrate our beauty from the inside, out.
Often, women feel that their outer appearance dictates their worth. I have devoted my career to learning about how to use the elegant simplicity of nature’s remedies to create lasting inner health that manifests outwardly as a type of natural beauty that’s as fresh as it is uncomplicated. Dandelion is one of my favorite herbs to share on this topic because its versatility is so impactful on beauty from within.
Today, I want to share with you my 5 favorite beauty gifts Dandelion has for your skin:
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Gorgeous Skin Color.
One of the most obvious benefits of incorporating dandelion regularly into your diet is how beautifully vibrant your skin tone and color will become. This has to do with Dandelion’s rich store of vitamins, (particularly vitamin A) and liver supportive nutrients to do the very important job of filtering and detoxifying the blood. When the liver is happy, your skin is happy and beautiful. -
Acne.
Blemishes like acne are no match for Dandelion’s potent nutrients and antioxidants, supporting your liver to work optimally to metabolize fats and cholesterol. -
Eczema, Psoriasis, Skin irritation.
I know firsthand the physical and emotional impacts that can undercut your confidence in how you look and feel. My deep respect for nature made Dandelion an obvious natural medicine to turn to for supporting my body in healing eczema. The milky sap from a cut Dandelion stem is antimicrobial and can be used to relieve the itching and irritation caused by eczema, psoriasis, skin irritation and infections. -
Anti-aging.
Aging starts in the cells long before you’ll notice it as fine lines or sagging skin. Dandelion can help you look and feel younger by addressing the root cause of aging—damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress. There’s an abundance of antioxidants in dandelion that will help to neutralize these free radicals and slow down the aging process. -
Stress Guard.
With stress protective antioxidants and nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin B-6, magnesium, and vitamin A, Dandelion nourishes us on a cellular level and guards us against the demands of modern living.
While you may have previously wished to pluck and remove dandelion-like unwanted hair on the body, now you might see how valuable it is to your health and beauty.
Here are my favorite ways to enjoy the leaves, root and even flower petals of Dandelion:
- Tea. Roasted Dandelion root tea is a delicious way to start your morning, giving you all the health benefits Dandelion has to offer with a full-bodied, roasted earthy flavor—so tasty, it’s often used as a coffee substitute! (I like this tea)
- Salad. I love chopping up fresh leaves to add to any salad, or to sautéed spinach if I’m in the mood for cooked greens. Find fresh leaves in the produce section of your grocery store, or pick unsprayed young, tender leaves in your backyard. Add beauty and nutrition to your salad by garnishing with the edible flower petals.
- Capsule. If you love the health benefits but need to give yourself time to acclimate to the bitter taste, capsules are an easy way to receive the medicinal gifts that dandelion has to offer.
- Tincture. I like the convenience of dandelion tincture if I’m traveling or on the go. The tincture provides additional alcohol-soluble components of the plant which adds to the health benefits.
Stay tuned, soon I will share my unique recipes for using Dandelion in tea, how to add it to your favorite meals to enhance flavor, nutrition and of course, to keep things adventurous in the kitchen!
