Can you also enjoy a meadow full of blooming dandelions? The dandelion is not only beautiful, but also very useful.

The Dandelion or Taraxacum officinale

The dandelion is winter hardy and is native to Asia, Africa and Europe.Other names for the dandelion are:

• Hynsteblom – Friesland
• Letterman – West Friesland
• Hondtong – Drenthe
• Dog flower – Groningen
• Pis(se)bloem – Limburg and Belgium
• Pisseblomme or woodlouse – Zeeland
• Chain ball – Gelderland
• Rabbit leaves -Texel
• Lion’s tooth – general
• Dandelion – English

The word horse, as in the name dandelion, means useless or worthless. Dandelion actually means worthless flower, but nothing could be further from the truth. The dandelion is edible and contains many vitamins such as vitamins A, B, C and D and the minerals potassium, calcium, zinc and iron. Other active substances of the dandelion are: inulin, choline, tannic acid and bitter substances, which promote appetite. Furthermore, the white milk juice, which is found in the stem of the dandelion, also contains resin, proteins, taraxarin and taraxine, which are good for treating pimples and warts, among other things.As mentioned, the dandelion is edible, so the leaves can be made into a salad. The young leaves have a less bitter taste than the older leaves. Covering the leaves with sand (called bleaching) produces mole lettuce that has a much less bitter taste. Mole lettuce is offered and eaten in early spring in Europe, but in Belgium and the Netherlands it is hardly offered or eaten. Tea can also be made from the (dried) leaves, it helps remove waste products and is a diuretic because it supports the functioning of the kidneys. A lot of dandelion syrup is made and eaten in Germany.

Dandelion syrup recipe

Pour a liter of cold water over 250 grams of dandelions and bring to the boil while stirring. Then let the mixture cool and steep for a few hours. Then strain the mixture and squeeze the moisture well from the flowers. Then add one kilo of cane sugar and half an unsprayed lemon, cut into slices. Heat everything, stirring over a low heat, until enough water has evaporated, creating a syrup. The syrup, or dandelion honey as it is also called, tastes good on pancakes or as a sandwich spread.The unopened flower buds of the dandelion can also be fried and pickled with vinegar is a true delicacy. You can use a skin lotion made from dandelions to cleanse the skin and whiten freckles .

Dandelion skin lotion recipe

Pour a liter of water into a heavy-bottomed pan and add a handful of dandelions. Bring to the boil while stirring and let it simmer gently for half an hour. Then pass the mixture through a sieve. Pour the dandelion lotion into a clean screw-top jar and store it in the refrigerator. Pat the skin with the lotion twice a day. The dandelion lotion purifies the skin and whitens freckles. Apply dandelion milk (from thestem) to pimples or warts twice a day and they will disappear like snow in the sun.

In short, the consumption of the dandelion:

• Stimulates the liver, kidneys, spleen and bile function
• Promotes appetite
• Is moisture-wicking
• Purifies the blood

If you are considering using dandelion (in any form), always consult a doctor. At a high dose the following complaints may occur:

• Mild diarrhea
• Heartburn
• Allergy

Caution is advised in patients with high blood pressure, diabetes , or problems with the bile and stomach ulcers.