Some people consider the humble dandelion to be a garden-variety weed, but to others, it is a harbinger of spring, a green delicacy marking the end of a root-vegetable winter. The name, an anglicization of the French "dent-de-lion," or lion's...
Most people think of dandelions as nothing more than a weed, but dandelions are actually an edible and nutritious food. The part of the dandelion that people usually eat is the greens. Dandelion greens can be boiled, sautéed or added to...
Red dandelion greens gets its name from the red vein found on the plant. Red dandelions have bright green leaves that contrast with the red stem and have a slightly bitter and sweet taste. Although dandelion greens can be consumed raw in salads,...
Although the blossom of the common dandelion is not usually eaten, its greens are prized for their bitter flavor and nutritional properties. Dandelion greens are particularly rich in the immune-boosting and disease-fighting vitamins A and C, as...
You may think of dandelions as uninvited weeds in your yard, but they have a long history as a medicinal herb. Dandelions are also called lion's tooth and swine's snout, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Their greens provide...
The liver is responsible for numerous vital functions. It produces bile to help you digest food and proteins to help your blood clot if you are injured. The liver breaks down old red blood cells and stores energy in the form of the sugar glucogen....
Your mother was on to something when she told you to eat your vegetables. Dark, leafy greens, such as spinach, kale and dandelion greens, provide a wealth of nutrients and many health benefits. Low in calories and without fat, they can easily be...
Your liver is a large and important organ that performs numerous functions, including the storage of nutrients, the manufacturing of proteins and enzymes and the removal of toxins from your body. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and...
Taraxacum officinale, also known as the common dandelion, is a noxious weed to most North Americans. However, this resilient, nutrient dense plant actually has great medicinal value. In traditional herbal medicine, the root and leaves are used to...
Foragers know that dandelions offer food and medicinal value from early spring to late autumn. Dandelion roots offer both food and medicine to some dedicated harvesters. Both the leaves and flowers offer antioxidants. Collect leaves before the...
Unpleasant symptoms like headaches, back pain, swollen feet and morning sickness may occur during pregnancy, rendering daily responsibilities like work difficult. Certain herbs can be used to alleviate pregnancy symptoms while other herbs aid the...
Cysts, or sacs that are filled with fluid, can occur nearly anywhere in your body, including in the skin, ovaries, breasts and lungs. Your physician may recommend surgical removal in some cases, but there are herbal remedies to get rid of cysts as...
When you hear dandelions mentioned, you may automatically think of pesky weeds that pop up to ruin your grass. Dandelions, however, have been utilized throughout history for nutritional, medicinal and weight loss purposes. According to the...
Water retention, or edema, can be an uncomfortable annoyance, and the sign of a possible medical problem. When fluid accumulates in the interstitial spaces of the body, or within the circulatory system, it can result in swollen limbs, facial...
Although the development of acne has much to do with genetics, diet also affects this common skin disease as a result of nutrient deficiencies and improper digestion, asserts the Acne Resource Center. Eating foods high in fat, characteristic of...
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient that acts as an antioxidant, protecting your body's cells from damage by free radicals. It also boosts your immune system and help fight off viruses and bacteria. It keeps your blood vessels open to allow blood...
People all over the world have used pure herbs for centuries. They have used herbs to treat illness, and some pure herbs have been, and still are, used in cooking to add flavor to foods. Since herbs are powerhouses of valuable nutrients, people...
Natural diuretics help to reduce water retention in a healthy and chemical-free way. There are several food items that serve this purpose, which can also provide essential vitamins and nutrients conducive to a healthy lifestyle. In some cases,...
Just being a vegetarian does not guarantee that you will easily lose weight. If you want to lose weight on a vegetarian diet, choose complex carbohydrates like whole-grain bread and pastas instead of white flour. A 1200-calorie diet can help you...
Most American men fall 1,600 milligrams short of the 4,700-milligram recommended daily allowance, or RDA, of potassium, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. American women consume even less potassium, on average...
Carotenoids are fat-soluble chemicals that protect plants and give them their color. They are invaluable to human nutrition, many of them providing antioxidant benefits and others serving as the basis for vitamin synthesis by your body. Over 700...
Foraging for wild, edible plants can also contribute to your health. Harvesting wild plants supplements your diet with a range of vitamins and minerals, although do your due diligence by either studying up on safe-to-eat plant varieties or taking...
Of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s list of the foods richest in specific minerals, spinach and beet greens appear on the all-star lists for both calcium and magnesium. But several other greens are high in calcium and moderately rich in...
Eating a well-balanced diet ensures that you're fueling your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to function well. Major vitamins are divided into two classes: oil-soluble vitamins which can be stored for relatively long periods of time...
Swelling can occur as the result of any number of causes including edema, food allergies, insect bites, inflammation from gout, or a punch in the eye. Several herbal remedies may help reduce pain, inflammation and swollen tissue regardless of...
Fiber is an important component of a healthful nutrition plan. The Institute of Medicine recommends daily fiber intake of 25 grams for women and 38 g for men through age 50. After age 50, recommended daily fiber intake is 21 g for women and 30 g...
Dandelions are the bane of lawn owners but are also powerful medicinal herbs, according to Medicinal Herb Info. This herb's leaves and roots are very useful in a number of ways, some which may surprise you. Before you begin to take dandelion...
In modern times the dandelion, known formally as taraxacum officinale, has developed a reputation as a lawn and garden nuisance. However, it has a much more respectable history among culinary and medicinal plants all over the Northern hemisphere...
Potassium is a mineral crucial to the smooth functioning of your body. Low levels of potassium can lead to a dangerous condition called hypokalemia. Herbs such as stinging nettle, chickweed and dandelion possess copious amounts of potassium. Often...
