Posted by Sue Landsman on Apr.11, 2010

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It’s spring, and the lawns are coming up. Beautiful expanses of green are taking the place of frigid snow or brown slush. But soon, the bane of many a lawn owner will appear: dandelions.

Before you curse its name or mow it down, take a few moments to learn about this persistent plant that coexists with us even in the more difficult of situations. There are many reasons to respect the dandelion, and almost as many reasons to use it, and perhaps even welcome it. Here are five:

Pretty Persistence

Dandelions grow no matter what you do. You can mow them down or poison them, and they’ll blow over from your neighbor’s lawn. The name comes from the french “teeth of the lion,” and this ferocious plant will stare you down and remind you with its bright yellow visage that flowers will grow everywhere no matter how much of a control freak you are. You may as well enjoy the sunshine.

There’s the Rub

Dandelion flowers infused in olive oil make a great rub for all your aches and pains. If your muscles are sore (even from mowing down the dandelions) or you’ve sprained an ankle, a dandelion rub will ease the inflammation and pain. Simmer a good handful of dandelion flowers in a cup or two of olive oil for about half an hour, then strain. You can store this in a jar or just make up a new batch when you need it.

Dandelion Wine

Dandelion flowers make a great wine, especially if you save it and drink it during the following winter. There are many recipes for dandelion wine on the internet; you will need fruit, water, sugar, and yeast. You’ll also need special equipment like a plastic pail and a fermentation trap, as well as bottles for storing the wine. In general you will need two to three quarts of dandelions per gallon of wine, so plan on harvesting the dandelions before you mow them down. Pick the flowers just before you’re ready to make the wine and make sure that the stems and, arguably, the petals, are off of the flowers before you begin your brew.

Free Food

Dandelion greens make great salads, especially when they’re young and tender. If you find the greens too bitter raw, they’re great in lasagna, and you can cook them like spinach with a little butter and garlic. In the fall, when the leaves are large and tough, you can harvest them for tea. Later, once a good frost has come and killed the green part of the plant, you can harvest the roots and dry them or grind them up to roast for a beverage.

Good Medicine

Dandelion root is a good diuretic, and very helpful for bloating and water retention. It aids digestion, and has a high vitamin and mineral content. Dandelion is also useful for liver conditions such as hepatitis. The white sap can be used to remove warts. As with any herb, before you use it you should check for possible drug interactions or allergic reaction. People allergic to ragweed or chamomile often have reactions to dandelion.

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Posted under Living, Nature and Environment.