Dandelion: Herbal Liver Cleanse, Better Digestion, and More!

My lawn is a DISASTER! For the last few years, I haven't even used natural lawn products on it, so the variety of weed species has increased exponentially.

Now what would my lousy lawn have to do with creating vibrant health? The obvious answer is no toxic lawn chemicals; but you know I'm a little more complex than that - so there are 6 other reasons below.

1 - Dandelions! My so-called lawn supplies these in abundance. They are the perfect food for cleansing the liver. All parts of the dandelion plant have a tonic effect that stimulates the body to eliminate waste and toxins. By the way, those pansies you see in the bowl with the dandelions are not just for decoration - they are edible, too!)

Dandelion helps both the liver and gall bladder to break down fat, by stimulating the flow of bile. This helps prevent gallstones. Dandelion also helps the liver with its process of detoxification. This makes it beneficial for diseases such as hepatitis. As well, bile helps normalize the pH (acid-alkaline balance) of the intestinal tract. This aids in maintaining encouraging an abundance of beneficial bacteria (probiotics).Good bile flow also plays a part in preventing (and getting rid of) parasites of all descriptions.

Dandelion benefits kidney function, as it has diuretic properties (stimulates the flow of urine), which makes it beneficial for anyone suffering from a urinary infection.

2 - Free nutrient-dense food! It's hard to find domesticated vegetables with as much nutrition as wild greens. And with food prices the way they are.... delightful to get free food that is better than anything you can find in a store!

Eating lots of dandelion leaves and buds as well as other nutrient-dense foods can help save you money on nutritional supplements. Assuming you don't use toxic chemicals on your lawn and/or garden, you don't live next to a highway or in a highly polluted urban area, and you aren't in close proximity to neighbors who use lawn chemicals, you can eat your dandelion greens.

Young dandelion leaves are great in salads! They have a taste similar to chicory, and and abundance of vitamins and minerals. Here are some of the nutrients that dandelion leaves provide; potassium, magnesium, niacin, calcium, phosphorus, proteins, iron, sulphur, zinc, vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E. They are a richer source of provitamin A (beta carotene) than carrots! Because the leaves are rich in readily available magnesium, dandelion is a great herb for improving bone health. Magnesium increases bone density, so dandelions may actually help to prevent bone disorders such as osteoporosis.

For salad, throughly wash leaves. Dandelion leaves chopped with sheep feta cheese, olive oil, and onion is a nice combo. As you develop a taste for it and the season progresses, you may find yourself eating more!

3 - If you are a gourmet cook, you can make your own capers from the dandelion buds (recipe below).

4 - Free vitamin D supplement in exactly the right dosage for your perfect health! No, not from the dandelions - from the sunlight shining on your exposed skin for the 20 - 30 minutes it takes you to pick them! Wear as little as possible for greatest benefit.

5 - The lovely feeling of autonomy that comes from gathering your own healthy food directly from its source. We are so dependent and hooked into technology and finances these days that we lose contact with the earth. It is enlivening to feel that there is something other than devices and money that supports us. Being directly supported by Nature with no intermediaries is an experience that feels REAL!

6 - Last, but not least, the healing power of being a participant rather than an observer in the cycle of life. When you really think about it, from birth to death, we are nourished by the earth's gifts. The direct experience of closeness to our roots in nature can be a significant part of recovery from chronic illness and maintaining vibrant health.

How to Make Your Own Capers!

1 - In early to mid Spring, pick the tender buds of the dandelion. The best-tasting ones are closest to the ground. You can use them even when you begin to see the yellow of the petals just peeking through. After all, even the flowers have healing properties. But for the closest thing to capers, you will want to take the younger buds near the base of the plants.

2 - VERY IMPORTANT: Rinse and wash thoroughly! Being close to the soil, the buds will often be gritty. Swishing them around in a pot of water, the buds will float and dirt fall to the bottom. Fish the buds out with a strainer, empty and rinse grit out of the pot, then repeat a few times until your dandelion buds are sparkling clean.

3 - Next, place buds in a large strainer or colander and let water drain out. Put them in a glass container (plastic leaches into everything - not healthy).

For each 2 cups of buds, add one tsp Celtic Sea Salt (I can get it for you wholesale in my supplement program). Add organic, naturally aged apple cider vinegar, covering the buds. Leave room for a little air to get in, and put in your refrigerator.

4 - After a week or two, put buds in a strainer, allowing vinegar to drain. Pat excess liquid off buds by spreading them on paper towels.

5 - Pack alternating layers of buds and coarse ground Celtic Sea Salt in container (yes, I know, the container shown in the photo is plastic. I won't be making that mistake this year!) A glass jar with plastic cover is ideal. DON'T use a metal container, not even stainless steel! You may not know this, but stainless steel contains nickel, which is toxic, and not completely inert.

Leave container on shelf at room temperature. In about three months, your capers will be ready. They will keep indefinitely!

When you are ready to use your capers, you can:
1 - Eat as is out of the container if you like very salty foods.
2 - Rinse and spread on paper towels to dry, then add them to all manner of raw salads, cooked dishes, etc.

I just ate one of last year's capers. They taste great!

Here they are!

Capers close-up...