Of all the plants one might associate with childhood, dandelions are right up there. Their bright yellow flowers are a distinct visual sight, while who hasn’t enjoyed picking up a dandelion clock and blowing on it, sending its seeds scattering through the air, blown on the wind as their downy filaments help them float off and land somewhere to take root?
Gardeners don’t quite think of dandelions the same way, of course, because the ease with which they can self- seed (a good gust of wind will suffice if nobody this around to blow on the clock), while their deep taproots make them an irritating weed. That may give grown-ups more work to do in the back yard, but kids won’t worry about that.
However, one of the links between dandelions and childhood is the soft drink of Dandelion and Burdock. The bitter taste of sap on the fingers might make it seem odd that a dandelion might be something humans can consume, but evidently it is. And, of course, this part is more memorable than the burdock because, while often encountered, the latter is not so readily recognised.
It might be thought that Dandelion and Burdock is just a fading memory of childhood (unless you like to patronise any of the UK’s few remaining temperance bars), but the interesting fact that the drink has been consumed for centuries, long before modern drinks like Cola were invented, suggests folk were onto something about the ingredients.
This is indeed the case, which is why superfood suppliers like ourselves might spring a surprise by offering dandelion root powder – until one learns what is in it.
Among the attributed benefits are that it aids digestion and improves gall bladder and liver function, due to being very high in fibre. It also contains antioxidants, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin K. It is commonly used in salads, as well as being added into soups, wine and teas or even used as a coffee substitute.
However, if you want to experiment a bit you can try using it in other ways, mixing it into your food to add some great organic benefits, adding some extra vitamins and aiding your digestion. There’s lots of room to experiment.
This will also be a bit more authentic than a glass of Dandelion and Burdock, as unfortunately these days the drink is usually made from synthetic ingredients rather than actual extracts from the real plants, making them neither organic nor authentic. You might as well go for that other childhood tipple, Sarsaparilla.
By adding the real thing to your meals, you can therefore enjoy some real dandelion benefits. And while the sad truth about modern day Dandelion and Burdock might bring some disappointment, at least you can think positively about the yellow flowering plant when you see it this spring and summer.
Who knows, perhaps the dandelion clock you blow on could spread a seed that not only takes root, but becomes the very powdered root you have in your soup or stew one day.Join the Detox Trading community over on our YouTube channel!