Surely each of you is familiar with dandelion from childhood. His fluffy sunny buds were the first flowers given to his mother, and girls were taught to weave elegant wreaths from a dandelion. Sometimes among the sunny flowers a fluffy white parachute was found: it was worth blowing a little at it, as it flew in an instant with lush white snow around, spreading the seeds across the meadow. This amazing plant is able to cheer up only with its appearance. His magnificent buds, like a little sun, remind everyone and everyone that the long-awaited summer has come. But did you know that dandelion is not at all as simple as it seems at first glance? It turns out that even in hoary antiquity he was called "Russian ginseng." From the top of the head to the elastic root, dandelion is a unique plant that can give a person energy, nourish and help fight the most complex diseases. Healing potions were prepared from it, added to dishes and drinks, and Russian beauties knew very well that dandelion is able to give strength and youth to skin and hair. What is this plant useful for, how to harvest it correctly and when to collect dandelion roots, how to use it for treatment? We will talk about this and much more in this article.
About the sunny flower
Dandelion, aka Taráxacum in Latin, belongs to the family of asters and is widespread throughout the world, with the exception of only deserts and snowy poles. This plant is a perennial, has about 1000 species. Propagated by seeds that are easily carried by the wind, which is why it is often perceived as a weed. Flowering lasts from May to June, but may last until late autumn. Yellow dandelion has a rod-shaped root, expanding in the upper part. Its inner part is white, sometimes with a yellowish tint, the root is darker outside, has small thin processes. The plant has a white milky juice, thick, with a bitter taste. In some countries, dandelion is grown commercially. All parts of the plant are of value, are used in pharmacology and cosmetic industry, in traditional medicine. Dandelion is also used in the food industry.
Useful qualities
Treatment with dandelion root helps with many ailments. Its uniqueness in containing a huge amount of sucrose and inulin - this natural polysaccharide consists of fructose. It is able to lower blood sugar, that is, it works as insulin familiar to every diabetic. The root is useful in the presence of a large number of trace elements, organic acids, flavonoids and vitamins A, C, E, B2 and PP. It found triterpene compounds, sterols, proteins, carbohydrates and fatty oils, which include linoleic, cerotinic, lemon balm, oleic and palmitic acids. There are resins, mucus, choline, saponins, salts of iron and manganese, phosphorus and potassium, and rubber substances in the roots.
Dandelion Heals
Dandelion root treatment will help with many diseases. It is extremely useful for diabetics and people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases. It improves the secretion of gastric juice, promotes the outflow of bile, acts as a mild laxative and antispasmodic. It will help people with low acidity of the stomach, with gastritis, hepatitis, problems with the pancreas. It removes toxins, cleanses the blood, restores, normalizes metabolic processes and helps to tone dandelion root. The use in medicine does not end there: for skin diseases, mental disorders, sleep disturbances, dandelion is also useful as a diuretic. Its root treats gout, liver diseases, it is drunk at high temperature and jaundice. Since ancient times, harvesting dandelion roots has been almost mandatory in families where a baby was expected. It increases the amount of milk in nursing women, treats mastopathy, and is used to prevent cancers in the breast. Even then, people knew very well how and when to collect dandelion roots.
For slimness and beauty
This is truly an amazing plant! Harvesting the roots of dandelion and their use will help not only in the fight against diseases, but also preserve youth and save you from extra pounds. For weight loss, you can not only make tea from the root, but also add ground powder in a coffee grinder to food. This may surprise you, but it’s useful to add raw dandelion root to salads, boil and stew. To do this, thoroughly rinse the roots under running water, and then soak in cold salted water for half an hour (salt will remove the bitterness). After peeling the roots and grate, use as such for salads. If you pre-boil the root in salted water (10 minutes), then after it can be added to the side dishes, stew or simply fry. You will like the taste - it will look a bit like chicken. There are a variety of recipes. Decoctions are made from dandelion root, it is added to many dishes, in wine and tinctures, and fragrant tea is prepared.
Want your hair to be healthy? After each wash, rinse them with a decoction of dandelion root. The skin will be moisturized, the hair will become stronger, the tips will not split. If you have dry scalp, dandruff and irritation, then such procedures are simply necessary for you. For facial skin care (especially dry), prepare a lotion: pour a glass of crushed root with a glass of good vodka and insist for 10 days. Then strain the tincture and dilute with purified water (1: 2). Wipe your face in the morning and evening.
Harvesting raw materials
When to collect dandelion roots? In the spring - in April-May, and in the fall - in September and October. It should be remembered that at the same place, the sampling of raw materials can be carried out once every three years. The roots are dug up with a shovel, and then carefully shaken from the ground. After they need to be thoroughly rinsed, remove all small root processes. Now it remains only to dry the roots of excess moisture and use as directed. If you plan to harvest them for the future, then you should know how to dry the dandelion root correctly.
Dry for the winter
The main thing is to thoroughly dry the raw materials, the slightest moisture remaining in the root can ruin all your efforts. Properly prepared roots break in two with a bang. How to dry dandelion root?
There are two ways:
- Dry in the open sun for 1-2 weeks (the room should be ventilated).
- In the dryer (at a temperature of 45-50 degrees).
After the raw materials are placed in rag bags and stored in the winter. Refuse to use plastic containers or cans, since moisture will rot, and the workpiece will be damaged.
Now you know how to dry and when to collect dandelion roots. We will focus on several recipes that will come to the aid in the fight against the disease and help to improve health.
"Coffee" drink
Dandelion will be a great alternative to the usual coffee, but most importantly - much more useful. It will not have caffeine, but it will also tone and charge you with energy in the morning. To do this, roast the roots: rinse them off the ground, drain and send to the oven. The main thing is not to overexpose, they should acquire a brownish tint and completely dry, but not burn out. After that, it will remain to cool and grind your future brewed "coffee" in a coffee grinder. Add a little ground cinnamon if desired. Such a drink invigorates, improves immunity and strengthens bones.
Invigorating tea
A very healthy drink. It is effective in all of the above diseases, acts as a tonic, soothing and tonic. Pour half a teaspoon of chopped root into a cup and pour boiling water over it, cover and let it brew for 20 minutes. If you like hot tea, use a thermos. Dandelion root can be used in combination with other medicinal herbs, it is often part of the fees.
Healing broth
For half a liter of boiling water, you will need a tablespoon of chopped roots. Boil the broth for 10 minutes, strain and take a quarter cup before meals. You can store such a medicine for no more than a day.
Tincture on the roots
Such a medicine can be prepared from both dried and fresh roots. Take ½ cup of crushed raw materials and pour a bottle of good vodka. Insist in a dark place for two weeks, then strain and store in a dark cool place. Such a medicine should be taken in a tablespoon before meals. Tincture is used externally as lotions for the treatment of skin diseases.
Contraindications
In conclusion, let us dwell on an equally important point. No matter how useful the dandelion root has properties, it also has contraindications for use. First, you should not forget that everything is good in moderation, excessive consumption can cause diarrhea and nausea. Dandelion roots, like any other product or plant, can, in very rare cases, cause individual intolerance. If you feel bad - cancel the treatment for a while, perhaps it was the cause of the disease. People prone to intestinal weakness should use the plant with caution. It has laxative properties and may aggravate the condition. It has a choleretic effect, which means you can not use it in the presence of stones in the bile and obstruction of the ducts. With exacerbation of a stomach ulcer, caution should also be exercised.