Dandelion (Taraxacum)

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Dandelions grow in many places over the world, and is often considered to be a weed. However, since prehistory it has been gathered for food and it's medicinal purposes. The most common variety of dandelion is called taraxacum officinale, of which all parts are usable.
During WW2 the people in The Netherlands often gathered the plant. The leaves were turned into a salad and the flowers were used for tea.

Appearance
Dandelions are easily identifiable by their low rosette of toothed, hairless leaves and yellow flowers. The stems of dandelions are hollow and each stem only produces a single flower. These yellow flowers can develop into fluffy seedheads that are dispersed by the wind.
Whilst the plant can grow to a height of nearly 30cm it's often smaller on lawns. The flowers sit on top of a hollow stem which varies in height between 7,5 to 30cm (3 to 12 inches). Dandelions like to grow just as high as they need to, so that once it goes to seed they can catch the wind.

How to grow
Dandelions are perennials which often thrive in temperate climates, loving lots of sunlight and moist soil. The common dandelion requires temperatures between 0 and 35 degrees Celcius. It prefers cooler temperatures in Summer and warmer temperatures during Winter. Once established they can survive light shade and drier conditions.
Whilst the dandelions can be grown almost anywhere, in warmer and/or drier situations it can turn bitter and thusly unpleasant to consume. In colder climates it might go dormant for longer periods of time, in which it dies back to the roots until next spring.
Dandelions can be sowed directly into the ground, and once sprouted thin them so they are 15 to 20cm (6 to 8 inches) apart ideally. They prefer slightly acidic, fertile soil. They need soils rich in nitrogen and potassion, and low in calcium and phosforus. They don't like growing directly on or near decaying matter, and require moist soil.
Dandelions grow very easily from seed, and produce many seeds themselves from which you can grow them indefinitely. Do beware, the wind will pick up on the fluffy ends of the seeds, which can easily spread them to places you don't want them.

Medicinal components
Dandelions are rich in phenolic acids, flavonoids and terpenes, whilst also being a source of vitamins and minerals.
Phenolic acids are absorbed through intestinal tract walls. They benefit us due to their potential antioxidants and can prevent damge of sells due to free-radical oxidation. When regularly consumed they can also promote anti-inflammatory reactions.
Flavanoids possess many medicinal benefits, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. They possess both cardio- and neuroprotective effects.
Certain terpenes are commonly used in natural folk medicine. They have many benefits, including but not limited to; anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, anticancer, antiseptic, digestive and diuretic properties.

Dandelion tea
Dandelion tea is readily available world-wide. In supermarkets you can buy ready-made sachets which you can steep in boiling water.
The tea is an excellent source of potassium, which can help filter kidney toxins, improve bloodflow and stimulate the heart. The vitamins help boost the immune system, encourage healthy cell growth, bone health and benefits blood clotting.

Dandelion tea can be made with just the flower petals, the leaves and/or the roots. Tea brewed from just the flowers tend to be more delicate and sweet, than those made with roots and/or leaves.
For fresh dandelion tea you want to make sure that you only have the yellow petals of the flower as the green bits make a bitter tea. Also ensure you clean the roots and cut them up. Put the petals and roots in a pot with hot (boiled) water and let it steep for around 15 minutes. After this you can strain off the bits, and have a nice dandelion tea.

Lookalike
Thankfully the dandelion doesn't have any poisonous lookalikes. The downside however, is that the lookalikes may not possess the benefits the dandelion has.
Catsears (also known as flatweed) are most easily recognised by their forked and solid stalks, whereas dandelions have hollow singular stems. They can also have hairy leaves.
Sow thistle usually has many flowers per stalk, whereas dandelions only have a single flower per stem. Once mature the plant can have prickly spines.

Potential dangers
As with anything, too much of something good is still too much.
People allergic to marigold, chamomile, crysantemums, daisies or iodine can experience reactions from dandelions.
In some people it can also cause increased stomach acid and heartburn, whilst others can experience irritations on the skin, diarrhea and stomach discomfort.
Too much dandelion tea can mean too much of their diuretic properties. What this means is that too much can increase frequency of urination, which could impact the kidneys