Dandelions: An Indicator Plant
Dandelions indicate how your soil is doing. Keep them. They will improve your soil for you. These are great plants for the soil and insects. The leaves and roots can be eaten by animals and birds (presenter told about geese fighting over a dandelion root one of the flock had dug up). They are very nutritious. People can eat dandelions leaves in salads ( the young leaves are tastier, I have heard). The leaves are loaded with vitamins and minerals, including the antioxidant beta carotene. Dandelion roots are high in inulin, a soluble fibre that acts as a probiotic, feeding good gut bacteria.
What dandelions indicate:
- Compacted soil
- Deficient in calcium
- Acidic soil
What makes dandelions valuable?
1. Dandelions fix soil deficiencies.
Compacted soil is repaired by growing dandelions. The big root loosens the soil by growing. Roots can survive many years, even when cut. Roots can go as deep as fifteen feet into the ground.
Soil deficient in calcium grows dandelions. The dandelion root brings up calcium deep in the ground. Mowing kills the calcium-rich leaves, which puts calcium within reach of the grassroots.
Acidic soil is changed to neutral with the growth of dandelions.
2. Dandelions are one of the first plants to grow in the spring. The is a benefit to insects. The early insects will prevent undesirable insects from inhabiting the pasture/lawn. Bees go to dandelion flowers. In the spring, dandelions help bees survive.
3. Dandelion leaves are one of the best natural sources of potassium, with 218 mg per cup of raw greens. They are also high in vitamins, A, C and K, as well as calcium, iron and magnesium.
4. Wild animals such as grouse, partridge, pheasant, quail, and wild turkey will enjoy the seed heads. Songbirds, such as blackbirds, goldfinches, sparrows, siskins, and towhees eat the seeds.
When the soil is in good condition, the dandelions will disappear. No herbicide. No pulling.
Dandelion leaves have fairly good forage quality and their presence in the forage, especially when harvested as silage, does not significantly reduce the feeding value of the crop. Dandelions are also good forage for grazing animals.
Dandelions are an indicator in over-grazed pastures.
The name of Common Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, translates to dent-de-lion in French, meaning “the lion's tooth.” It is also known as Piss-in-bed, wet-a-bed, blowball, puffball, fortune teller, doonheadclock, tell-time, clock flower, bitterwort, yellow gowan, swine snort, Irish daisy, priest's crown, cankerwort etc.
Dandelions For Humans
The bitterness of dandelion increases stomach acid, improving digestion. (Contrary to popular belief, acid reflux is often due to inadequate stomach acid.) increasing flow of bile from the gallbladder into the duodenum. It also acts as a choleretic, increasing bile production.
You can try some dandelion tea before meals, or steeping some chopped greens in white wine to accompany your meal or add the greens to your salad.
The inulin of dandelion roots helps to bulk up stool. Potassium and magnesium in the leaves may help relieve bloating and constipation.
Use dandelion flowers to lighten freckles and age spots, relieve sunburn and tighten pores. In, Susun Weed suggests covering freshly picked dandelion blossoms in boiling water. Cover your container and let steep for one hour. Strain and reserve liquid.
Apply the sap from the flower stalk directly to warts, calluses corns and rough skin. Rub in and repeat as needed.
Is dandelion good for diabetes?
Initial studies say “yes”, dandelion may be helpful for regulating the blood sugar of type 2 diabetics. Volunteers in a 2016 study who consumed 5 g of dandelion root and leaf powder for nine days significantly reduced their fasting blood glucose levels
This may be because dandelion contains a source of levulin, which allows the liver to convert fructose in glycogen without insulin secretion. (From
Dandelion has a long history of use as a liver tonic. Antioxidant effect – reducing oxidative stress, promote regression of fibrosis, improvement in fatty liver disease symptoms, anticancer
Dandelion is also know for its diuretic effect, clearing excess water weight without depleting potassium.
Infuse dandelion flowers in oil to make an ointment for sore muscles or dry skin. Gather enough blossoms to fill a jar, and cover with olive oil. Infuse for a week or two and then strain.
Dandelions may cause allergic reactions or contact dermatitis in some individuals.
References
The Permaculture Orchard, on Youtube, accessed April, 2021
Neverman, L., Benefits of DANDELION PLUS HOW TO USE GREENS, SEEDS, ROOTS & FLOWERS, MARCH 16, 2019; https://commonsensehome.com/dandelion/ Accessed April 2021
Agriculture dandelionhttps://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/weeds/print,dandelion.html
Sanchez, A., Ten Things You Might Not Know About, Summer, 2007; https://www.mofga.org/resources/weeds/ten-things-you-might-not-know-about-dandelions/
For more information
Making money with dandelions, FARM SHOW Magazine, 2007 - Volume 31, Issue 6, Page 8
https://www.farmshow.com/a_article.php?aid=20546Growing Dandelions For Dollars
The Wild Wisdom of Weeds: 13 Essential Plants for Human Survival.)
No comments:
Post a Comment