Dandelions grow like a weed and many consider them a weed. But to me, they are not a weed and in fact, are one of my favorite greens.

When picking dandelion leaves, choose small leaves. The larger the leaf, the more bitter the taste. Dandelion leaves are best picked in the spring but you can pick them all summer too. Avoid picking leaves in the areas where chemical fertilizers or pesticides have been used.

I pick dandelion leaves from my backyard as I use no chemicals in the yard. Some pick dandelion leaves from fields. Try to avoid picking leaves that are close to roads and especially highways.

Due to the fact that Dandelion Greens are a green juice, you will find it beneficial to have no more than about ¼ of your juice consisting of green juice.

Dandelion is very concentrated and so I try not use to any more than 1 ounce in every 8 ounce glass.

When I was a child, I used to have stinging nettle soup all the time (and I must say, it was delicious). Both stinging nettle and dandelion leaves are traditional herbal remedies which have stood the test of time. This is definitely one of my favorite herbs.

In the fall, I like to dig up dandelion roots and juice them. The roots are bitter and thus need to be mixed with other vegetables. Dandelion roots are best picked in the fall (September onwards) and dandelion greens are best picked in the spring. Of course, you can pick roots and leaves all year if you want. But spring and fall are the best for the leaves and roots respectively.

Dandelion roots are a tap root like carrots and parsnip. I unfortunately don't have the nutritional analysis for dandelion roots otherwise I would have added it.

Both Dandelion roots and greens have been used by herbalists for centuries. Traditionally dandelion roots and greens have been used to help support the liver.

Dandelion leaves are exceptionally high in nutrition especially calcium, iron along with a host of other nutrients. If you are able to grow dandelion leaves and/or get some from your local grocery store (many grocery stores now sell organic dandelion leaves), then do consider using some dandelion leaves in your favorite juice recipe.

You might find it beneficial to alternate between dandelion leaves and arugula leaves. Both dandelion leaves and arugula are very high in nutrition. Both have similar effects or benefits yet because they are a different food / vegetable, the body will appreciate the variety.

While both dandelion leaves and arugula leaves are very high in nutrition, stinging nettle are probably an even better source of nutrition, especially calcium. But unfortunately, at this time, it is more difficult to get stinging nettle unless you are able to pick them yourself.

Properties:

Energy: cold
5 Elements: wood,fire
5 Flavors: sour,bitter

General Information:

Nothing to report.

Cautions & Suggestions:

Nothing to report.

Benefits:

Nothing to report.

Photo by Eric Baetscher.

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