Drinking a dandelion root latte is one of my favorite ways to consume this medicinal plant. I have a special attraction and amazement towards this abundant NW plant. Dandelion reminds me that even when we try to push nature away, like when people try to kill dandelions as a weed, nature still loves us and provides medicine for us just about everywhere.

Dandelion is a bitter perennial herb, and is utilized for the medicinal aspect of its leaves and roots. It is used as a liver cleanser and blood purifier. The leaves are also a diuretic. A few months on dandelion can tone up the liver and gallbladder, and improve digestion. Dandelion gently promotes lymphatic activity and corrects problems in the urinary tract.

The young leaves make a good vegetable salad, and can also be juiced.  Cooked roots can be eaten as a vegetable or dried ground and roasted to make a dandelion root tea or a tasty dandelion latte as seen in my video below.

When foraging dandelion, use a gardening fork and be careful not to break the root.  Work the fork digging around the root in a circle until the soil is loosened and the root pops out with the fork.  Use your hands to move away the soil, twist off the bottom bulb portion and bury back into the hole.  Cover the hole with soil and the plant material. The best time to harvest is late summer and fall. 

In my video below I am harvesting dandelion roots to make Immune Boosting Root Beer and a dandelion latte.