A plant that is said to have evolved about 30 million years ago deserves our respect, wouldn't you say? So though you may deem dandelions as an unwelcome sight in your garden, don't be too quick to diss this ill reputed plant. These days, in some circles, dandelion leaf is known as a true superfood, able to sweep clean a plethora of minor ailments in a single bound. Interesting fun fact: we call this everyday flower dandelion only because the French first termed it dent-de-lion, which translates to "lion's tooth," and was so named due to the appearance of its leaves that resemble lions' teeth.
Scientifically classified in the taraxacum genus, dandelions are a member of the Asteraceae family, and native to Eurasia and North America. Every part of the dandelion is edible, and quite nutritious to boot! As incredible as this may sound, some botanists have divided dandelions as a species into as many as 2000 microspecies, with about 235 having been recorded in Great Britain and Ireland. So, with dandelions being so prevalent the world over, it's a good thing they're so good for you! Let's dig in a bit deeper now on that front now.
Leaves, stems, flowers and roots are all edible, and all boast nutritional value. From a sautéed side dish, to an ingredient in salads, to wine, a caffeine-free coffee, and even part of a traditional British soft drink, dandelion obviously has not been overlooked throughout the history of civilization. As a medicinal plant, dandelion has been used for thousands of years, and history reports its use in treating a variety of mild to severe conditions.