DANDELION SALAD w/ GENTIAN ROOT
YIN detoxifies liver & curves hepatitis, balances diabetic, reduces gallstoneSource: Farmers Market, Fresh Market, Super Market, TCM store (i.e. EYS)
RECIPE AND GUIDANCE (4 People)
INGREDIENTS SUBSTITUTE
| 1 bundle Dandelion fresh (raw) | Arugula or baby Spinach |
| 1 apple green, cut into cubes (unpeeled) | green Tomatoes |
| 2 Turnip peeled, cooked and sliced | |
| 1 generous portion Cilantro fresh | Parsley |
| 1 medium Onion white sliced | Garden herbs |
| 3 toes Garlic, sliced roasted | Shallots sliced, glazed |
| 3 tsp Rice Vinegar | Oil |
| 3 tsp Eggless Mayo | Lemon Juice |
| 1 Dash Salt & Pepper | Mayo or Yoghurt |
| 1 Lemon zested | Lemon Pepper |
| 1 tbs Gentian root powder | 1 dash Angostura bitters |
Lay the Dandelion leafs into luke warm water, this will “break” the bitterness. Mix all ingredients together and dust the Gentian Root powder over it. Add garlic roasted breadcrumbs and maybe Parmesan cheese. This is an ideal side dish for BBQ or with potatoes.
HISTORY AND BENEFIT
The medicinal properties of dandelion leaf and root are well known and commonly accepted throughout Europe—dandelion root for indigestion and loss of appetite, and dandelion leafs for treatment of liver disorders, appetite loss, indigestion, and fluid retention. Women that suffer from premenstrual syndrome may find that the diuretic action of dandelion helps relieve symptoms of bloating and water weight gain.
Dandelion flowers also have medicinal properties. They are an excellent source of lecithin, a substance that helps maintain brain function and may play a role in slowing or even stopping the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Lecithin also helps the body maintain good liver function; dandelion is widely recommended for liver detoxification. Dandelion root in combination with other herbs, improves liver function in people with hepatitis B.
One study found that dandelion inhibits the growth of Candida albicans, the fungus responsible for vaginal yeast infections, and another study showed that eating dandelion root may help decrease glucose levels.
Conventional medicine ignores Liver congestion and stagnation as common problems. In hepatitis or liver inflammation, liver enzyme levels in the blood are elevated because of the ruptured liver cells which contain high contents of liver enzymes. However, in liver congestion or stagnation, liver cells are still intact and liver enzyme levels in blood are normal. Therefore normal clinical tests which rely on liver enzyme levels as a measure of liver condition cannot detect liver congestion or stagnation.
The name Gentian is a tribute to Gentius, an Illyrian king who was thought to have found out that the herbs had tonic properties. It was used in the Middle Ages as an antidote to certain poisons.
Gentian root has a long history of use as a herbal bitter in the treatment of digestive disorders and is an ingredient of many proprietary medicines