Healthy miracle dandelion Bitter, delicious and above all healthy

Dandelion - the bitter and versatile herb in the kitchen
Dandelion is not only extremely versatile in the kitchen can be used, it is also considered a miracle cure for health. While many dandelions still look like annoying weeds in the garden, naturopaths have learned to appreciate its many positive qualities. Whether as a salad, in pesto or as fresh plant juice - dandelion enjoys in this country is becoming increasingly popular.

Dandelion is a treat in salad or pesto
Dandelion leaves are ideal for preparing salad. In combination with other wild herbs, cherry tomatoes, lentils, cheese or a hard-boiled egg, dandelion develops its slightly bitter, fine aroma the best. In pesto, the leaves blend well with almonds. This is indicated by the consumer information service aid.

Dandelion is known in natural medicine as a heather. Image: candy1812 / fotolia.com

If you do not like the bitter substances, you can put the dandelion in cold water for one to two hours before preparation. Potatoes, apples and toasted bread can also soften the bitter taste. "It's easier to soften the bitter taste with other ingredients," says Harald Seitz. Popular partners in the salad are therefore potatoes, apples or toasted bread. A dash of cream or some sour cream in the dressing harmonizes the aroma. The common dandelion from the meadow in the garden contains particularly many bitter substances, especially if it is harvested after flowering. Mild is dandelion. He comes mainly from France in the summer months in the German stores. Even the mild bleached dandelion is sometimes available.

Dandelion has a health-promoting effect
Especially the bitter substances make dandelion so healthy. They stimulate the digestive glands to secretion. They have a diuretic effect, which could be due to the high potassium concentration in dandelion. Dandelion convinces above all by its high contents of vitamin C and D as well as of potassium. "However, its main active ingredients are the bitter substances. They stimulate digestion, "explains Harald Seitz, nutritionist at aid infodienst. Therefore, dandelion is very popular in natural medicine. There, the leaves are often prepared as tea.

In natural medicine, the herb is mainly used for loss of appetite, indigestion such as bloating and flatulence, disorders of the bile drainage and to stimulate urinary excretion in inflammatory diseases and stone formation.

Some naturopaths also use dandelion for general strengthening in all states of weakness to re-energize the body. The sticky juice is applied externally as a home remedy for warts and corns.

In homeopathy, dandelion is used in liver diseases and indigestion. (Ag)