Despite the cool weather, today you can see the first greenery, in a couple of days the leaves will appear on the trees, and here it is - real spring. Sunny days, flowers and evening walks, the main thing is that the body, weakened after a long winter, allows all this to be enjoyed. During this period, we all desperately need vitamins and sometimes it is not at all necessary to go far for them, it is enough to look back and remember the dandelion.
Spring is a difficult time for our health: the lack of sunlight in winter did not have the best effect on immunity. Add to this not quite the right nutrition, which people often save themselves in the autumn-winter period, dry air in apartments, lack of vitamins, and you will get a picture of the average Russian in April, who would be glad to cheer up, but the body does not allow.
In the spring, doctors recommend that you always monitor your diet, observe a sleep schedule and not go to bed later than 23 hours, stay outdoors more and follow the instructions of the attending doctor in order to avoid exacerbation of chronic diseases. It is better to include more vegetables and young greens in the diet. It is precisely on the latter that I would like to dwell in more detail.
It's not just parsley, dill and green onions, which will soon hit the shelves of weekend fairs in abundance. I would like to draw your attention to a plant known to everyone from childhood: dandelion. Few people think about how useful all its parts are: leaves, flowers, and rhizomes. All this in one way or another can be used both in the kitchen and in cosmetology.
Dandelion is rich in vitamins A, C, D, PP, B vitamins, it contains copper, calcium, manganese, iron, boron, magnesium, zinc, potassium. Since ancient times, dandelion has been considered the elixir of a healthy life, it has diuretic, antiviral, choleretic, tonic, diaphoretic and other properties. It was used in the treatment of scurvy, it helps to improve digestion, reduces erectile dysfunction, has a positive effect on metabolism, including with high blood sugar, helps heal joints, supports the thyroid gland, and treats skin diseases.
You can use any part of the dandelion, starting with the leaves. They need to be collected away from busy highways and polluted areas. Surely you have a corner at your dacha where you can find dandelion leaves to make a healthy and tasty salad from them. The main secret of such a dish is to soak the leaves for several hours in salted water, this will remove excess bitterness. Don't know any recipes? This is not a problem, read below, there will definitely be an interesting one.
* Finely chop fresh leaves, add onion and carrots cut into half rings. Salad is salted, and either sour cream or lemon juice with olive oil is used as a dressing.
* Boil the leaves after soaking for 10-15 minutes, until they are tender, then chop and mix with chopped green onions. Salt, spices and sugar to taste, lemon juice and olive oil are added to the herbs. Within 50 minutes, the herbs should absorb the spices. Then cheese is cut into medium cubes, and the salad is served on the table.
* For this salad, you will need 100 grams of dandelion leaves, pre-soaked in salted water, and a few tablespoons of chopped walnuts. The leaves are cut and mixed with the nuts. You can season this salad with honey and olive oil.
* Finely chop 100 g of leaves, add green onions and parsley. Season the herbs with apple cider vinegar mixed with vegetable oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. When serving, garnish the dish with finely chopped dill and chopped boiled egg.
* Young dandelion leaves (1/2 cup) finely chop. Cut 3 fresh cucumbers into strips. Pour over the salad with sour cream, sprinkle with green onions, mix with a small amount of sea salt and pepper.
* Pour 1/2 lemon juice over a glass of chopped dandelion. Poultry meat baked in foil (can be replaced with beef tongue) cool and chop. Mix everything, add parsley, green onions, radish, red pepper, mayonnaise.
Eating dandelion can also help you lose weight. To do this, not only prepare salads with leaves, but also brew dandelion tea. To do this, 1 tbsp. pour a glass of boiling water over dry leaves and let it brew for 20 minutes. Take half a glass half an hour before meals. Dandelion roots can also be used. The roots need to be dug up, washed and dried at a temperature of at least 40 degrees. 1 tsp pour a glass of boiling water and let it brew.
If for some reason you cannot use dandelion internally (like any plant, its use in food has a number of contraindications and restrictions), remember that it can be used externally. For example, include in face and hair masks! Fresh dandelions fight inflammation, nourish the skin with vitamins and whiten perfectly. The latter is true for those who have freckles or age spots. You just need to wipe your face with the juice of this plant. By using dandelion for hair, you can strengthen the roots, get rid of dandruff and excess oiliness.
Dandelion flower mask for dry mature skin
Beat a couple of dandelion flowers in a blender with natural yogurt until smooth. Add honey and wheat germ oil. Apply to clean skin for 25-30 minutes. Remove the mask with a cotton pad and rinse the skin with warm water.
Dandelion Leaf Mask
Cut 5-8 dandelion leaves into small pieces and grind in a blender. Add 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese - for dry skin, for all other skin types - 2 more egg whites. Before applying the mask, rub the problem areas of the face with dandelion juice. Apply a mask on top for 15-20 minutes, and then cleanse the skin with sour milk.
Dandelion root tonic
Pour water over the dandelion root so that it completely covers it. Bring to a boil, cool and strain. Wipe the neck and face with the toner as needed, you can add a couple of drops of a suitable essential oil. Your skin will glow.
Dandelion Vitamin Mask
Grind a handful of dandelion inflorescences and leaves into gruel, pour warm milk and let it brew for 10 minutes. For oily skin, add half the egg white, for dry skin - the same amount. The mask must be applied to the skin in layers, each layer must dry. Leave on for 20 minutes and then rinse with water.
Mask to strengthen hair and reduce oiliness
Dandelion, mint and mountain ash leaves must be chopped and mixed in equal proportions. Apply the gruel to the roots and massage into the scalp. It is best to cover your head with plastic, and wrap a towel over it, leaving it for 40-45 minutes. Rinse hair well with running water.
Dandelion Rinse (for split ends)
Grind 1 spoonful of dandelion greens and pour 1 cup boiling water. When the infusion darkens, strain it and rinse the washed hair.
Dandelion infusion to strengthen hair
Pour a handful of dandelion leaves with a glass of boiling water. The resulting infusion is rubbed into the scalp every two days, preferably before bedtime. Store the infusion in the refrigerator.
By the way, dandelion is used to make jam, juice, wine and even coffee. Do not pass by this amazing plant, the main thing is to carefully read the contraindications for its use, because the commandment "do no harm" is the most important in any business.
