When to collect the roots of a dandelion? Medicinal Herbs

For sure, each of you is familiar with dandelion since childhood. His fluffy sun buds were the first flowers given to his mother, and the girls were taught to weave the dandelion from the dandelion with elegant wreaths. Sometimes a sunny white fluffy "parachute" was found among the sunny flowers: it was worth a little blow at him, as he flew in a flash of white snow all around, spreading seeds across the clearing. This amazing plant with only one of its kind is able to cheer up. His lush buds, like a little sun, remind everyone and everyone that the long-awaited summer has come. Do you know that a dandelion is not so simple as it seems at first glance? It turns out that even in his olden days he was called "Russian ginseng". From the very top and to the elastic root, the dandelion is a unique plant capable of empowering people, nourishing and helping to fight the most complex diseases. He used to prepare healing medicines, added to dishes and drinks, and Russian beauties knew perfectly well that a dandelion could give strength and youth to the skin and hair. What is useful for this plant, how to prepare properly and when to collect dandelion roots, how to use for treatment? About this and many other things we will tell in this article.

About the sun flower

Dandelion, it's Taráxacum in Latin, belongs to the family of astroids and is widely distributed around the world, except there are only deserts and snow-covered poles. This plant - perennial, has about 1000 species. Propagated by seeds, easily carried by the wind, which is why it is often perceived as a weed. Flowering lasts from May to June, but may drag on until late autumn. The yellow dandelion has a rod-like root, widening at the top. Its inner part is white, sometimes with a yellowish tinge, on the outside the root is darker, it has fine thin processes. The plant has white milky juice, thick, with a bitter taste. In some countries dandelion is grown on an industrial scale. All parts of the plant are of value, they are used in pharmacology and cosmetic industry, in folk medicine. Dandelion is also used in the food industry.

Useful qualities

Treatment with a dandelion root helps with a variety of ailments. Its uniqueness in the content of a huge amount of sucrose and inulin - this natural polysaccharide consists of fructose. He is able to lower blood sugar, that is, he works as an insulin familiar to every diabetic. The root is useful for the presence of a large number of microelements, organic acids, flavonoids and vitamins A, C, E, B2 and PP. It revealed triterpene compounds, sterols, proteins, carbohydrates and fatty oils, which include linoleic, cerotinic, melissa, oleic and palmitic acids. There are resins, mucus, choline, saponins, iron and manganese salts, phosphorus and potassium, rubber substances in the roots.

Dandelion heals

Treatment with a dandelion root will help with a variety of diseases. It is extremely useful for diabetics and people suffering from GI diseases. Improves the secretion of gastric juice, promotes the outflow of bile, acts as a mild laxative and antispasmodic. It will help people with low acidity of the stomach, with gastritis, hepatitis, problems with the pancreas. It removes toxins, cleanses the blood, restores, normalizes metabolic processes and helps to tone the dandelion root. Application in medicine does not end there: with skin diseases, mental disorders, sleep disorders, to increase appetite and as a diuretic, dandelion is also useful. Its root heals gout, liver disease, it is drunk at high temperature and jaundice. Since ancient times, the preparation of dandelion roots was almost mandatory in families where they expected the appearance of a baby. It increases the amount of milk in nursing women, treats mastopathy and is used to prevent cancers in the chest. Even then, people knew perfectly well how to correctly and when to collect the roots of a dandelion.

For harmony and beauty

This is a truly amazing plant! Harvesting of dandelion roots and their use will not only help in the fight against diseases, but also keep youth, and save from excess kilograms. For weight loss, you can not only make tea from the root, but also add powdered powder to the food in the coffee grinder. Perhaps it will surprise you, but it is useful to add raw dandelion root to salads, boil and stew. To do this, thoroughly rinse the roots under running water, and after soaking in cold salted water for half an hour (salt will remove bitterness). After peeling the roots and grinding them, use them for salads in this form. If you pre-boil the root in salted water (10 minutes), then you can add it to garnishes, stew or simply fry. Taste you like - it will be a bit like chicken. There are a variety of recipes. From the root of a dandelion make a decoction, it is added to a variety of dishes, into wine and tinctures, and prepare a fragrant tea.

Do you want your hair to be healthy? After each wash rinse them with decoction from the root of a dandelion. The skin will become moist, the hair will become stronger, the tips will not be cut. If you have dry scalp, there is dandruff and irritation, then such procedures are simply necessary for you. For face care (especially dry), prepare a lotion: pour a glass of ground root with a glass of good vodka and insist for 10 days. After strain the tincture and dilute with purified water (1: 2). Wipe your face in the morning and evening.

Procurement of raw materials

When to collect the roots of a dandelion? In the spring - in April-May, and in the autumn - in September and October. It should be remembered that in the same place the intake of raw materials can be carried out once every three years. Roots are digged with a shovel, and then shaken off carefully from the ground. After they must be thoroughly rinsed, all small root shoots removed. Now it remains only to dry the roots from excessive moisture and use for their intended purpose. If you plan to harvest them for future use, you should know how to dry the dandelion root correctly.

Dry for the winter

The main thing is to carefully dry the raw materials, the slightest moisture left in the root can ruin all your efforts. Correctly harvested roots are broken in two with a bang. How to dry the root of a dandelion?

There are two ways:

• Dry under the open sun 1-2 weeks (the room should be ventilated).
• In the dryer (at a temperature of 45-50 degrees).

After the raw material is laid in rag bags and so stored in winter. Refuse to use plastic containers or cans, since moisture will cause decay, the workpiece will be spoiled.

Now you know how to dry and when to collect the roots of a dandelion. We will focus on several recipes that will come to help in the fight against the disease and help to strengthen health.

"Coffee" drink

Dandelion will be an excellent alternative to the usual coffee, but most importantly - much more useful. It will not have caffeine, but it will also tone up and charge you with energy in the morning. For this, the roots should be roasted: rinse them off the ground, drain and send to the oven. The main thing - do not overexpose, they should get a brownish shade and completely dry, but do not burn. After that, you will chill and grind your future brewed "coffee" in a coffee grinder. If desired, add a little ground cinnamon. This drink invigorates, improves immunity and strengthens bones.

Invigorating Tea

Very useful drink. It is effective for all of the above diseases, it acts as a restorative, soothing and tonic. Pour half a teaspoon of chopped root into a cup and pour boiling water, cover and let it brew for 20 minutes. If you like hot tea - use a thermos bottle. The dandelion root can also be used in combination with other medicinal herbs, it is often included in the fees.

Healing Decoction

For half a liter of boiling water you need a tablespoon of chopped roots. Boil the broth for 10 minutes, strain and take a quarter cup before eating. You can keep this medicine for no more than a day.

Tincture on the roots

Such a medicine can be prepared from both dried and fresh roots. Take ½ cup of crushed raw material and pour a bottle of good vodka. Insist in a dark place for two weeks, then strain and store in a dark cool place. Such a medicine should be taken on a tablespoon before eating. The tincture is used externally as a lotion for the treatment of skin diseases.

Contraindications

In conclusion, let us dwell on an equally important point. Whatever useful the dandelion root has properties, and there are also contraindications to its use. First, we should not forget that everything is good in moderation, excessive use can cause diarrhea and nausea. Dandelion roots, like any other product or plant, can in very rare cases cause individual intolerance. If you feel bad - cancel the treatment for a while, perhaps it was the cause of ill health. People prone to weakness of the intestine, should use the plant with caution. It has laxative properties and can aggravate the condition. Has a choleretic effect, and therefore, it is impossible to use it in the presence of stones in the bile and obstruction of the ducts. When exacerbation of stomach ulcers should also be cautious.