Wait! Stop! Don’t cut the weeds; they can be good for you. “In the second month on the fourteenth day, at twilight, they shall keep it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs” Numbers 9:11. The children of Israel probably learned to eat bitter herbs from the Egyptians. Ancient Egyptians would place the green herbs on the table, mix them with mustard then dunk their bread in the mixture. Dandelion may be one of several candidates for the bitter herb of Passover (The Holy Bible).
While dandelion is considered a nuisance in residential and recreational lawns, it has lots of medicinal benefits. The dandelion leaf contains abundant vitamins and minerals especially A, C, and K, and are good source of calcium, potassium, iron and manganese. Did you know that dandelion leaves are a rich source of vitamin C and have a higher content of beta carotene than carrots? It is the best source of natural potassium.
Dandelion roots, are considered a powerful diuretic and it has been used in herbal medicine to treat chronic disorders of the kidney, infections, and bile and liver problems. They act as a blood purifier that helps both the kidneys and the liver to remove toxins and poisons from the blood. Dandelion also acts as a mild purgative (laxative), and improves appetite and digestion. It’s believed to help prevent age spots and breast cancer. The dandelion “weed” has many benefits. As soon as they spring up, I get some from my yard, I clean them off really good and boil them and drink them as tea or I cut them up and chew them in my salad. They are bitter by themselves, but they mix very well into a salad without noticing the bitter taste. Haven’t you notice that they are only with us for short period of time? The yellow flower tops come early Spring. I believe that’s Earth rendering to us one of nature’s secrets and letting mankind know that it is time to cleanse and to detoxify your liver, especially after hibernating during the winter. Winter is the time we eat most of our heaviest food stuff. So, why not enjoy the dandelion and use them for our healing while they are with use during the season they are there. Don’t cut the weeds; they can be good for you. Dandelions are our friends.
Resource:
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/health-benefits-of-dandelion-root/
Written by: Dr. Michelle Butler, RND
Dr. Michelle/natUreal wellness 