Dandelion

Dandelion leaves and roots are both used extensively as medicine and food. The dandelion plant is exceedingly rich in the mineral potassium. Even though the leaf has such a considerable diuretic effect for it to have earned the nick-name piss-a-bed, it leaves the body with a net gain in potassium, whereas most diuretics lead to a potassium loss. Leaf and root both stimulate the production and flow of bile from the liver though the root is considered to be a little stronger in its effect. Dandelion leafs are bitter tasting, a quality that has a beneficial effect on stimulating appetite and toning the digestive system. The leaves make an excellent bitter addition to Spring and Summer salads with a good amount of vitamins and minerals while the roots have sometimes been used as a coffee like drink, first roasted then ground. Dandelion is a richly nutritional and detoxifying plant.