Dandelions have always been called "weeds" but guess what? They aren't. They are among the most beneficial plants for us! Did you know that just one dandelion plant produces 900 potential cups of dandelion tea? That's right: Nine. Hundred. Dandelions are also a great source of vitamin A, calcium, iron, and potassium. Furthermore, dandelions can be used as an excellent alternative to produce healthy and tasty salads! But far greater than that is the medicinal benefit they have.
The flowers and leaves are used to make a mask for the face and the tea is used as a tonic for digestion and can be used in treating liver disease. The roots are often dried, powdered, and then used as a diuretic. Dandelion root is also known to stimulate liver function and help in dissolving stones in the gallbladder. The plant can be made into teas, tinctures, lotions, or even eaten raw. Dandelion greens have also been known to act as an expectorant, which helps you cough up phlegm if you're suffering from bronchitis.
The sap in the stem can be used to remove warts or skin tags from the body, and dandelions are a great plant to use for the lymphatic system, as it helps move things through and unblock blocked areas. Dandelions have been used in a lot of folklore as well, such as when the leaves are placed under your pillow it will cause vivid dreams that can be remembered upon waking up.
Dandelions have been used to also help cure cancer. Yes, really! It is believed that dandelion root will lower blood sugar and by doing so, can prevent or slow the growth of cancer cells.
The list goes on for all of the ways you can use this plant for medicinal purposes.
Dandelions are also very easy to grow, very adaptable to most temperate climates, and they provide a great deal of food for bees, who help pollinate plants and therefore are crucial for all life.
Dandelion "weeds" in the lawn are an opportunity to learn more about natural medicine. Learning to love dandelions will enrich your life by gaining knowledge of plants and how they can be used in medicine.
But wait! There's more: It turns out that dandelion root can be used for making concrete and even into a concrete mix or as a poultice for rheumatism.
Dandelions are also excellent birds' food, and their flowers can be used to make flower arrangements. Furthermore, they do not require any special care from you unless you plan to eat them or are growing them for medicinal purposes.
And finally, for those of us who love the look of all things wild in our yards, sometimes it's fun just to let your dandelions go wild. The plant will spread quickly and grow in just two to three weeks. So Skip the roundup on your lawn, as we don't want you picking any of these beauties with chemicals, and next time one pops up in your grass, let the bees have their turn first, and then harvest it from root to flower and enjoy!
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