Dandelions are weeds for some and a vital medicinal herb and eatable green for others. If your lawn is full of them and your focus is your lawn, then all you would see is a noxious weed. Throughout European history, it has been and still is considered a beautiful eatable herb that is cultivated for that reason and part of their culinary life.

More on Dandelions Being Considered Weeds?

The scientific name for dandelion is Taraxacum, which is derived from an Arabic word (tarakshaqun) meaning ‘bitter herb.’ So, by its name, you would think of this plant more likely to be an herb than a weed. However, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a weed as “a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth.”

Although the dandelion was introduced into North America by settlers that brought the plant with them intending to cultivate it on the continent, by Merriam-Webster’s definition dandelions have really spread across the continent as more of a weed since colonial times.

The common dandelion is actually included in the list of Introduced, Invasive and Noxious Plants as published by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service which defines weeds as “undesirable plants, native or non-native, invading a given area, such as a lawn or garden.”

Based on these published and nationally recognized definitions, it would seem that dandelions are currently considered weeds. It’s a cold analysis and considers only one dimension.

Are All Dandelions Non-Native Species to the US?

According to Wikipedia and the US Forest Service, there are a couple of species of dandelions that are native to North America such as the Alpine dandelion (or horned dandelion) that grows in high altitudes and can be typically found growing above the tree line in mountainous, rocky landscapes. However, the more common species of dandelion found in most of our lawns and gardens across the US is not a native plant but a species of plant introduced to North America by settlers arriving on ships from England and Europe such as the Mayflower.

Colonists traveling to North America from England and Europe intentionally brought dandelion plants (or achenes which are very similar to seeds) with them (among others) so that they could cultivate and harvest them in the new world for food and medicinal purposes. They likely also brought these flowers with them as a result of their fondness for dandelions in their home country and the desire to bring a bit of ‘home’ with them.

Dandelions were very common and popular in gardens in England and Europe at this time and having these pretty flowers in the gardens they created in the new world would likely have brought them some familiar warmth and comfort.

Why Do Dandelions Spread So Easily?

When a dandelion first blooms it presents a very bright yellow flower. Because of their abundance these colorful flowers, dandelions attract many pollinating insects such as bees. However, one amazing fact about dandelions is that they don’t need to rely on pollination to spread. Dandelions are self-pollinating and even without the assistance of insects, the bright yellow flower will change very quickly (in a matter of a few days) into a fluffy white ball of seeds (called pappi).

The seeds are formed like tiny little umbrellas with the seed in the center. As the wind blows, this umbrella-like structure enables the seeds to be easily picked up and distributed throughout their local environment. In peak season, hundreds of seeds can be spread across great distances very quickly depending upon the strength of the wind.

The seeds require direct sunlight to sprout, which makes areas in our unshaded yards a great place for dandelions to sprout and grow. They also thrive in areas where there is no grass such as ground that has been disturbed as the plant can drink in direct sunshine all day long without competing blades of grass surrounding them and shading them from the sun. As long as there is sunshine, dandelions can virtually grow anywhere in the US.

When Did Dandelions Become Considered Weeds?

Although it’s difficult to determine the exact timeframe in history when dandelions began to lose their value as a source of food and herbs, this likely started to occur when the desire to have and maintain manicured lawns and gardens became popular. One of the earliest well-known examples of this type of concept may be that of George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate which was founded in 1758 and included multiple acres of manicured lawn and garden spaces that required ongoing maintenance.

As popularity for this type of well-groomed lawn grew, what were once feelings of great affection for dandelions likely began to grow into something much more frustration as these plants continued to spread and thrive outside of the areas that they were initially intended to grow.

How Eatable Are Dandelions?

The answer to this question is a definite ‘yes.’ The entire plant is edible including the flowers, leaves, stems, and roots and parts of the plant have been used as food and as a valued herb throughout history. And, as previously mentioned, they were intentionally brought to North America to be cultivated for consumption. There are even records of dandelions being used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than a thousand years.

Dandelions are, in fact, currently marketed in many popular consumable forms that you can purchase locally or through online retailers, such as Amazon, including:

• Fresh Dandelion Greens
• Coffee
• Tea
• Dandelion Root Extract Capsules and Liquid

Rising Popularity of Dandelions

Although there may have been a decline in the dandelion’s popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries, the plant seems to have earned some renewed admiration in the past several years. There are many ways to use dandelions in food and drinks and the number of recipes being created, posted, and shared now is good evidence of this. The growing number of recipes being created are not only for food and drinks but also for skincare items such as soaps and lotions.

As mentioned above, all parts of the dandelion plant can be consumed and are processed in many people’s kitchens every day in a variety of ways:

• Because dandelion leaves can have a somewhat bitter taste, they’re often blanched or sautéed but can also be eaten raw in salads.

• Coffee is made from the roots which are ground and roasted (this produces a caffeine-free coffee drink),

• The roots have been used for many years as a traditional ingredient in root beer.

• The flowers of the plant have been used for centuries in Europe to make dandelion wine which is can be made using the entire flower or just the flower petals alone (which makes the wine a little sweeter).

• Tea is made from dehydrated roots

• The leaves can be placed in a juicer to create a healthy ‘juice shot’

• Flowers can be added to salads or as a garnishment to another dish

Does Consuming Dandelions Offer Health Benefits?

Nutrients contained in dandelions include vitamins A, C, K, E, and a small amount of some B vitamins. They also contain other nutrients such as calcium, potassium, iron, folate, magnesium, and fiber (such as inulin). As a result of this nutrient-rich makeup, these plants can be a great addition to a healthy diet. The lengthy list of health benefits that have been reported and are continuing to be tested include:

Bone Health – The high level of calcium in dandelions can help support the growth of strong and healthy bones. And, because they’re also high in antioxidants such as Luteolin and Vitamin C, they can also help protect against bone weakening and loss of bone density

Liver Health – When consumed dandelions can remove toxins from our system and improve liver function, encourage the flow of bile and reestablish electrolyte balance

Control of Blood Sugar – The amount of inulin (which is a type of fiber) and chlorogenic acid in dandelions helps to stimulate our pancreas to produce insulin (which helps regulate our blood sugar level) and also acts as a diuretic (encouraging urination). This helps to control diabetes by reducing sugar build-up in our kidneys.

Kidney Health – As dandelions act as a diuretic, as with other diuretics it can help eliminate toxins from building up in our kidneys and urinary tract. Dandelions also have anti-microbial properties that help prevent bacterial growth in our urinary system which can be of great benefit for those that may suffer from recurring urinary tract infections.

Heart Health – Because dandelions contain potassium (which is known to lower blood pressure) and act as a natural diuretic (which can remove excess salt from the body), they help to lower blood pressure. The fiber that was mentioned previously as a digestive health benefit may also help with reducing cholesterol.

Skin Health – The anti-oxidants contained in dandelions help us detoxify our systems which makes them a great herbal treatment for acne and other skin related problems such as eczema and psoriasis. As mentioned previously, they also promote good liver health and contain chlorophyll, both of which can improve skin health.

Cancer Treatments – Some studies have shown that treatments using dandelion root extract have the capacity to slow the growth of cancerous cells in the liver, colon, pancreatic, and prostate tissue and is effective in the treatment of leukemia and breast cancer. It also has been shown to have a positive impact on cancer cells that have been determined to be resistant to chemotherapy.

Jaundice – Dandelions can also be helpful in treating jaundice which is a disorder caused by the liver producing too much bile. Because they’re helpful in regulating the flow of bile and promote urination, they help the body rid itself of excess bile.

Gall Bladder Health – As the gall bladder is an organ that stores and excretes bile, dandelion’s assistance in helping the body regulate the amount of bile in our system is also of benefit to our gall bladders.

Digestive Health – Dandelions also contain inulin and mucilage which can soothe the digestive tract and promote digestion. The plant is also a good source of dietary fiber which is good for intestinal health.

Circulatory Health – Because dandelions contain such high levels of iron and B-vitamins, they’re of benefit to those that may suffer from anemia or other blood-related disorders.

Vision Health – Just a single cup of dandelion greens can provide one-third of the recommended daily dietary amount of RAE (retinoid activity equivalents) for adults. The forms of vitamin A contained in these greens (lutein and zeaxanthin) can also be of benefit in preventing age-related macular degeneration.

Promotes Wound Healing – The greens contain high levels of both vitamin K and C. Vitamin K promotes blood clotting and vitamin C plays a key role in connective tissue healing and is also an antioxidant that supports our immune system.

Can Consuming Dandelions Cause Any Problems?

Although dandelions are safe for most people to eat or drink in amounts that would typically be found in food, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or are under the care of a physician for other medical conditions, you should consult with your doctor before adding dandelions to your diet as they may have some important advice related to your specific condition.

For example, because there is a high level of vitamin K contained in dandelion greens and we know that vitamin K can promote blood clotting, if your doctor has prescribed blood thinners for some condition, you would want them to know that you may be increasing your intake of vitamin K before doing so.

Another example would be any condition where you have already been prescribed diuretics as dandelions in some amount can act as a natural diuretic. Also, although dandelions are not considered poisonous, there have been instances where allergic reactions (likely from the level of pollen contained in the plant) have been reported. Again, consulting with your doctor before making any significant changes to your diet is advisable.

Harvesting Dandelions

Although dandelions have one of the longest flowering seasons of any plant, early spring is probably the best time to harvest dandelions. The flower buds and new leaves appear in the early spring and the young leaves are less bitter at this stage. After the buds bloom, the level of bitterness in the leaves increases. The plants with the broadest leaves are best because they provide a greater overall volume of greens.

Dandelions can be found easily across the US in your own lawn or lawns of others, roadsides, parking lots, and almost anywhere people have settled and disturbed the ground removing the natural habitat (as these are areas where dandelions thrive).

It’s important to remember, though, that if you’re harvesting in public areas that these plants may have been sprayed with pesticides and it will be important to clean them thoroughly before cooking or eating them. And, if you’re searching for concentrated areas of these pretty yellow flowers, you will have to look for them in the daylight as the flower actually opens in the morning and then closes back up at night.

You can use a knife or a spoon (a serrated grapefruit spoon is recommended) to cut the root and scoop the plant out of the ground just under the rosette that rises up above ground. The root can be harvested all year long and can be dug out of the ground with a shovel. The easiest time to harvest roots is after a soaking rain when the ground is soft.

Once harvested, the plants should be washed thoroughly and can then be stored in your refrigerator and handled in the same manner as other fresh greens. As with most fresh greens, they can be safely stored for about 3 to 5 days (but should be thrown away sooner if they begin to show signs of decay).

Can You Get High Using Dandelions?

Dandelion plants do not contain any psychoactive compounds and will not result in any sort of ‘high’ if smoked. However, as previously mentioned, you can make wine from the dandelion flowers and if you use wine yeast in the recipe, the wine will contain alcohol (approximately 12-13% alcohol content). So, it is possible to become intoxicated or drunk from dandelion wine, but not high.

Other Uses and Benefits of the Dandelion Plant

Food source for wildlife: Dandelion seeds are an important food source for some birds, butterflies and moths and the flowers provide an important source of nectar and pollen for bees.

Good for the earth – Because the roots of the dandelion are long and wide-spreading (which is what makes them difficult to remove by hand), their root system actually helps loosen up hard-packed, aerate the surrounding earth and reduces erosion.

Production of a New Natural Rubber – Dandelions actually secrete latex when they are cut or broken and although the type and amount of latex they have traditionally produced would not be sufficient to be considered a reasonable alternative to the natural rubber provided by rubber trees. However, scientists in Germany have used cultivation and optimization techniques to develop a plant that can be suitable for use in the commercial production of natural rubber.

Natural Dye – a natural dye can be made from the yellow flowers and used to dye wool and cotton yarn and fabrics.

Massage Oil / Herbal Salve – Dandelions have been used to make homemade massage oil that is considered by those who promote the use of the product to relieve pain and aching muscles.

Harvesting Dandelions

Although dandelions have one of the longest flowering seasons of any plant, early spring is probably the best time to harvest dandelions. The flower buds and new leaves appear in the early spring and the young leaves are less bitter at this stage. After the buds bloom, the level of bitterness in the leaves increases. The plants with the broadest leaves are best because they provide a greater overall volume of greens.

Dandelions can be found easily across the US in your own lawn or lawns of others, roadsides, parking lots, and almost anywhere people have settled and disturbed the ground removing the natural habitat (as these are areas where dandelions thrive).

It’s important to remember, though, that if you’re harvesting in public areas that these plants may have been sprayed with pesticides and it will be important to clean them thoroughly before cooking or eating them. And, if you’re searching for concentrated areas of these pretty yellow flowers, you will have to look for them in the daylight as the flower actually opens in the morning and then closes back up at night.

You can use a knife or a spoon (a serrated grapefruit spoon is recommended) to cut the root and scoop the plant out of the ground just under the rosette that rises up above ground. The root can be harvested all year long and can be dug out of the ground with a shovel. The easiest time to harvest roots is after a soaking rain when the ground is soft.

Once harvested, the plants should be washed thoroughly and can then be stored in your refrigerator and handled in the same manner as other fresh greens. As with most fresh greens, they can be safely stored for about 3 to 5 days (but should be thrown away sooner if they begin to show signs of decay).