If you find yourself in a survival situation, it is essential to be ready for this event. A resource that is often overlooked are dandelions. They can easily prove to be a valuable resource! They are full of nutrients and are relatively easy to find as well as eat. We will go over everything you must know when it comes to eating dandelions for survival.
What exactly are dandelions?
Well, first off dandelions are not considered a flower. They do flower like most plants but are a perennial weed. They belong to the flowering plant family “Asteraceae”.
What is a perennial weed?
It means that the weed can reproduce without seeds and can do so through its roots.
I think Dandelions are a key planet to know about because they are common. This makes them such a great resource to know about and use in a survival situation. They are typically found on lawns, flower beds and anywhere they can grow. They can be found all around the world. Their abundance can be to your benefit.
What Can You Eat On A Dandelion
You can eat everything, including its roots. The flowers, stems, leaves, and roots are all fair game. That being said, the stem does have a milky sap-like substance in them.
High In Nutrients
In a survival situation, it is important to utilize all available resources. They are often seen as a weed, but in reality, they are high in nutrients and can provide us with the energy and nutrients we need to survive. That means that you shouldn’t overlook the dandelion. This plant is a key resource because it is high in nutrients. It contains iron, calcium, carbohydrates, and potassium. All of these nutrients are essential in a survival situation.
Vitamins
If you find yourself in a survival or emergency situation, vitamins can make all the difference. That’s why dandelions are so valuable. They’re jam-packed with vitamins that help our body function. They tend to be one of the most underrated survival plants.
Most people think of dandelions as a nuisance, but they’re jam-packed with vitamins that can help our body function. For example, dandelions are a good source of riboflavin, which helps convert food into energy. They’re also rich in vitamins, such as vitamin C, both of which are essential for a healthy immune system. And that’s just the tip of the “iceberg”, dandelions also contain many other vitamins and minerals that are essential for survival.
Caution
Make sure what you are eating is actually a dandelion first off. Then ensure that it has not been sprayed with pesticides as that smells like a recipe for disaster.
I have eaten dandelions out in the wild and have found them to be alright. I typically only eat the flower and leaves of the plant. You can eat the stem but it was not my favorite. If you are in a pinch then, that will not matter. It is a personal preference of mine.
How To Eat Dandelions
Whenever I go out, in the wild I will use dandelions to make a salad. The flowers I will either eat on the spot for a snack or collect for later. The leaves with the flowers as well as other forage can make a nice meal.
Do You Have To Cook Dandelions To Eat Them?
No, you do not need to cook them as you can eat them raw. They are a food source you can use if you need to.
In A Non-Survival Situation
You can fry them, bake with them and so many other things!
A Common Look-Alike
Cats Ear is a common plant that resembles dandelions. One way to identify them is that their stems do not have a milky substance but are hollow. They also tend to have more than one flower per stem which dandelions do not. Dandelions only have one flower for one stem, not more.
Cats’ ear also has “hairy” leaves, which dandelions do not as their leaves are smooth.
Can You Eat Cats Ear?
That being said, cat’s ear is edible and can be eaten. I would keep two things in mind when it comes to dandelions. The first thing is that they have smooth leaves and only have one flower for each stem.
So if you see hairy leaves or multiple flowers from one stem you know it’s not a dandelion.
Dandelions Are A Easy Planet To Identify In A Survival Situation
Dandelions are a key resource in a survival situation due to their high nutrient content. They are packed with vitamins and minerals that are essential for survival. You should exercise, caution when consuming dandelions as they may have been sprayed with pesticides.
When eaten in a non-survival situation, dandelions can be fried, baked, or made into other dishes. Cats’ ear is a common look-alike for dandelions but can be distinguished by its hairy leaves and multiple flowers per stem.
If you’re ever unsure if it is in fact a dandelion or not, look for smooth leaves and only one flower per stem So when you see a dandelion, you should know that they are an important survival resource due to their high nutrient content.
