Healthy soil and sustainable growing

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Dandelions: Miracles in your front yard (plus dandelion tincture recipe)
by Myra Eddy Apr 17 2010 by these new old traditions
http://newoldtraditions.com/2010/04/17/dandelions-miracles-in-your-front-yard-plus-dandelion-tincture-recipe/

The dandelion is a much maligned meadow plant, a native of Europe. Americans 
fiercely and defiantly dig out and poison this miracle plant, for no obvious 
reason other than they think they should. I started thinking for myself, and 
I have found out quite a bit about this miracle plant.

All parts of the dandelion are useful, for many things. The blossom of the 
dandelion is beautiful to behold. I can’t think of a plant that reminds me 
more of the beauty of the sun in early spring. The heads can be collected and 
made into wine. Dandelion wine is a great thing to make with friends, as 
debudding the heads is a time consuming activity that is enjoyable in a crowd 
of good conversation. Dandelion buds and flowers can also be breaded and deep 
fried for a southern culinary delight (anything tastes good breaded and deep 
fried!). My daughter would also attest to the usefulness of dandelion heads 
after they flower in their abilities to manifest wishes. Just remember, don’t 
tell what you wish and believe it will happen as hard as you can.

Dandelion leaves are one of the most nutritious of all greens. According to a 
USDA health bulletin: “dandelions are nature’s richest green vegetable source 
of beta-carotene, from which Vitamin A is created, and the third richest 
source of Vitamin A of all foods, after cod-liver oil and beef liver! They 
also are particularly rich in fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, 
phosphorus and the B vitamins, thiamine and riboflavin, and are a good source 
of protein.” Grown in nutritious soil, dandelions may also be rich in 
micronutrients “such as copper, cobalt, zinc, boron, and molybdenum, as well 
as Vitamin D.” Like all leafy greens, dandelions are also contain a lot of 
calcium, protein Vitamin C, and fiber.

In early spring, before flowering, dandelion leaves are quite tasty and 
tender. After flowering and prolonged heat from the sun, the leaves tend to 
get tough and more bitter. However, dandelion leaves can still be eaten in 
cooked foods, which helps reduce any anxiety regarding the texture and taste. 
Personally, I like the wild taste of dandelions, and the bitterness perks up 
my liver like nothing else. Dandelion roots can be roasted and used for a 
coffee-like drink.

Dandelions are incredibly healthy for our bodies. Does this health come from 
the abundance of vitamins and minerals? Or is it just that dandelions are an 
awesome natural medicine with no known side effects? Dandelions are 
particularly useful for supporting the liver. The function of the liver is to 
detoxify our bodies, and as civilized people, we are in desperate need of 
that. Not only does the liver process and discard actual toxins, it also 
processes the hormones produced by our bodies in response to our emotions. 
Dandelions function as a diuretic, aiding our bodies to rid itself of toxins 
through our urine. Dandelions also contain inulin, and have an effect on 
blood sugar levels, as well as helping to lower blood pressure.

Of course, I am not a doctor, and I am not promising dandelions will cure 
what ails you. But if you’re looking to function in and maintain a state of 
health, dandelions are worth checking into.

Recipe for dandelion tincture:

   1. Gather big beautiful healthy looking dandelions, in full bloom.
   2. Wash, then chop into ½- to 1-inch pieces, and pack tightly into jars.
   3. When the jar is full, pour in alcohol. I used alcohol that was around 
75%. You can use something like Everclear, and dilute it with water.
   4. Snap a lid on, and your part of making the dandelion tincture is 
finished!
   5. Each day, take a minute to push the dandelion parts back under the 
alcohol.
   6. In six to twelve weeks, strain out the dandelion pieces and put the 
finished tincture into jars.
   7. Take daily for good health!