The pesky dandelion that homeowners are always trying to get rid wasn't always found to be a nuisance. Chinese have been using dandelions for over a thousand years. The ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians all used it. They didn't really have the ability to test it like we do today but ancient physicians used it to treat kidney, stomach and liver disorders, skin irritations, heartburn, and gallbladder issues,diabetes, arthritis, anemia, constipation, toothaches fevers, scurvy, warts and dandruff. We now know that dandelions are full of vitamins C,E, and A, and have potassium, zinc, iron,fiber and beta carotene.

They can be used for dyes, yellow from the flower and a purplish color from the ribbed leaves.

As if that were not enough, every part of it is edible. Roots Can be dried and a substitute for coffee, roots with leaves can make a decent tea but bitter tea. You can cook the roots while they may be a bit bitter; they taste similar to turnips. Leaves and roots are used to flavor herbal beers and soft drinks. The leaves are best when young and fresh in salads. The bigger older leaves will be bitter but can still be used in wilted salads. The flowers can be battered and fried, used as garnish, boiled and served with butter. You can also use them to ferment for dandelion wine.

Dandelion is good as an all body cleanser. It is especially good for your liver,kidneys and gallbladder. It helps your body digest fats, stimulates bile production and removes toxins from the blood and restores electrolyte balance which then improves liver function. Chicoric and chlorogenic acid in dandelion helps limit the digestion of starchy, high carb foods increasing the ease of digestion and overload on the pancreas. 

Dandelion tea can treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. There have been reports that consistent use reversed liver damage enough for a woman to be taken off a transplant list. It is a strong diuretic and detoxifying. It flushes the kidneys; it will replace lost potassium and minerals  when water and salts are expelled. When the salts are expelled that will also bring down blood pressure and help reduce cholesterol ratios and raise the good HDL levels and reduce triglycerides. 

Dandelion juice is good for skin wounds and will heal itchy skin, ringworm, eczema, warts and corns. A dandelion tea can be used as a wash for healing, and dandelion sap can be used to treat acne as it inhibits the formation of acne blemishes and reduces scarring.

Dandelion is loaded with calcium and vitamin k can protect bones and osteoporosis and arthritis. It helps stabilize bone density and strengthens the bones.

The diuretic properties helps to control blood sugar by flushing excess sugars out and stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin, and stops dangerous blood sugar swings.

Being a powerful diuretic helps with urinary tract disorders. It acts as a disinfectant and inhibits bacterial growth in the urinary tract. 

Dandelion has high levels of iron, vitamins and minerals that help with iron deficiency and anemia. These help keep iron levels high in the blood to combat anemia. It also has contains antioxidants, phytonutrients and essential fatty acids that reduce inflammation in the body. It  helps relieve swelling and related pain.

Currently there are no guidelines for dosing but a general guideline can be as follows:

Fresh or Dried leaves 4-10 grams grams daily

Leaf tincture .4-1 tsp (2-5 ml) 3 times a day

Fresh Leaf juice 1 tsp (5 ml) twice a day

Fresh Roots 2-8 grams daily

Dried powder 250-1000 mg 4 times a day