Newsletter #27

Newsletter #27 11-4-02 DANDELION DELIGHTS By Brigitte Mars, A.H.G. Would you like to be healthier, save money and make the world a better place? It's an offer few people could refuse. Yet how many of us know that simply by making room in our lives for dandelions we can accomplish all three goals? The best place to begin is with a little education about this sunny-faced little flower, known botanically as Taraxacum officinale. Dandelion is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in the world. Its role in pharmacology dates back to the seventh century B.C., when a Greek naturalist recommended it as an all-around tonic. In China, physicians' use of dandelions dates back to at least 700 A.D., and the plant is still used there for a wide range of illnesses. Ayurvedic medicine has long recognized the dandelion's ability to improve liver and gallbladder functions and remove toxins from the body. In 17th century England, dandelions were considered the official remedy for disorders. And although they're not native to the United States, dandelions managed to migrate at some point and soon became favorites of both American Indians and colonists, who used the plants for food, medicine, a coffee substitute and even gopher control! When it comes to usefulness, the dandelion is hard to beat; every part of the plant offers us something. A safe, effective diuretic, dandelion tea (made from the root and leaves) is also used to treat problems with the liver, digestive system and gallbladder. According to folk medicine, dandelion leaf tea is helpful for healthy weight loss, as it eliminates excess water without removing potassium, an essential mineral, from the body. As for the flowers, they can be turned into wine, syrup and soothing natural cosmetics. Sap from the stems helps eliminate warts. As a food, various parts of the dandelion can provide a colorful, healthy addition to daily cuisine or sustenance in the wilderness. On the research front, studies suggest dandelion may strengthen liver function, help regulate blood sugar, assist the immune system, fight tumors and aid weight loss. Unfortunately, there is not enough research for scientists to draw definite conclusions. However, the herb has such a long history of use worldwide that Germany's respected Commission E and the British Herbal Compendium both recognize it as a valuable treatment for liver, gallbladder and digestive problems. Dandelion is remarkably free of side effects and is considered one of the most well-tolerated herbs available. The only downside appears to be rare instances of skin reactions to direct contact with the sap or pollen. Because dandelion affects the gallbladder, individuals with an obstructed bile duct or gallstones should consult a physician before using the herb. THINGS TO DO WITH DANDELIONS Dandelions contain so many different healthful substances that they are among the top five most nutritious vegetables on earth! If you're new to dandelion cuisine, start with something simple and work up to more daring combinations. A good place to begin is with dandelion tea, which is available in health foods stores. Or if you have access to fresh, organically grown leaves, wash them thoroughly and place 2 cups in a glass canning jar with freshly boiled water. Cover, steep overnight and remove leaves the next morning. You can also use 1 cup of dried leaves in place of the fresh ones. Need more vitamin C? Use the method above and combine dandelion leaves with equal parts rose hips, hibiscus flowers and raspberry leaves to create a tea with loads of vitamin C and absorption-enhancing flavonoids. Another great way to get the benefits of dandelions is to combine them with favorite foods. For example, wash and dry the leaves, then shred them by hand (chopping with a knife can decrease the nutrient value) and add to salads, scrambled eggs or your favorite stir-fry ingredients. Dandelion flowers minus the sepals (the little leaves just beneath the petals) can be combined with pancake or muffin batter, stirred into soups or sprinkled over sauteed or steamed greens. Roasted roots, which can be purchased or made at home, are a tasty coffee substitue. You can also combine roasted roots with coffee to cut caffeine intake without sacrificing flavor. CULTIVATING GOOD HEALTH Once you develop a taste for dandelions, you may want to try growing your own. Nothing could be simpler; dandelions are hardy and pest-resistant and adapt to less than ideal growing circumstances, making them great for low-maintenance gardens. Plant seed (avalable from catalogs or harvested from wild dandelions) in the fall for a spring crop. Harvest roots when soil is moist either after a rainfall or a watering. A tool known as a dandelion digger does a nice job of lifting roots from the ground. Roots are best eaten before the plant blossoms in the spring or in the fall after the first frost. The same is true for the leaves, which are tastiest if harvested in the spring before the plant blossoms. After flowers appear, leaves tend to become bitter. Both leaves and roots can be dried for later use, and leaves can be frozen. Dandelion flowers, though, have a shorter shelf life; they should be used the same day they are picked. TO WEED OR NOT TO WEED Lawn lovers have come to bemoan the presence of dandelions in their pristine yards. In fact, the war on weeds will send sales of herbicides and tools soaring to some $1.5 billion this year alone. Unfortunately, as scientist and author Rachel Carson pointed out 40 years ago in her book Silent Spring (now available in numerous reprint editions), the chemicals used to fight weeds are poisoning our planet, as well as our water, soil, food, yards, children and pets. That doesn't mean you have to give up the dream of a perfect lawn. To eliminate dandelions safely, cover them with straw or black plastic, and let the heat kill them--that is, if you're not convinced by now that a sprinkling of these brightly colored beauties isn't a nice addition to the grass. If your neighbors are herbicide-happy, the plants in your yard could be contaminated with their chemicals. So for guaranteed food-quality flowers and roots, the safest approach is to shop health food stores for organically grown dandelion products. Dandelion is available in tea, tincture and capsules. Anyone with liver, kidney, gallbladder or bile duct conditions should consult a physician before using the herb. Tea: 1 cup three or four times daily. Tincture: One dropperful in water or juice three or four times daily. Capsules: One or two 500 mg capsules two or three times daily. DANDELION LEAF PIZZA 1 Whole-wheat pita pocket 1/2 cup tomato sauce 3/4 cup shredded dandelion greens 2 slices mozzarella cheese 1 tsp chopped, fresh basil Cover one side of the pita bread with tomato sauce. Add the dandelion greens and top with cheese. Broil in a toaster oven until the cheese melts. Remove from oven, top with basil and serve immediately. Per portion: Cal.(332); Total fat(8.9gm); Sat. fat (4.6gm); Chol.(24.4mg); Prot.(19.2gm); Carb.(49gm); Sod.(1,308mg); Fiber(7.9gm). Yield: 1 portion Fruits & Veggies 2 servings per portion Items on sale through November 30, 2002 at Honeycomb Natural Foods NATRA-BIO Stop It Smoking - 48tablets Regular Price----$5.95............Sale Price----$3.99 Smoking Withdrawal Relief - 90tablets Regular Price----$6.95............Sale Price----$4.49 NATURADE Aloe Vera Gel Supplements Joint Formula - 32oz. Regular Price----$18.95...........Sale Price----$12.99 Stomach Formula or Detoxifying Formula - 32oz. 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SIZE OF TURKEY CAN NOT BE GUARANTEED. SHEDD'S Willow Run Soybean Margarine Sticks - 1lb. Regular Price----$1.95............Sale Price----$1.39 Prices good through November 30, 2002