Dandelions For Dinner
AsiaSpa Magazine|July - August 2019

Wild plants and edible weeds l ike dandelions deliver big on well-being

Denise Cullen
Dandelions For Dinner

There is a certain shock value associated with serving weeds to Sunday lunch guests. But the nutritional benefits of dandelion, a key ingredient in the primo risotto I prepared, are compelling.

Multiple sources cite Taraxacum officinale, as dandelion is formally known, as an excellent source of vitamins. It has a long history of medicinal use for problems of the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. Jo Robinson, author of Eating on the Wild Side, writes that wild dandelion greens far surpass store-bought spinach in terms of their nutritional benefits: “(They) have eight times more antioxidants, two times more calcium, three times more vitamin A, and five times more vitamin K and vitamin E.”

That I topped the dandelion dish with wild foraged flowers, including yellow dandelion petals, Australian native violets and nasturtiums, also raised my guests’ eyebrows. Yet they relented when I pointed out that they were eating not just safely and sustainably, but were, with every mouthful, eating their way to better health.

WILD NOURISHMENT

It is common knowledge that diets containing a wide range of plant-based foods are associated with lower rates of chronic illness, including heart disease. Less well understood is that supermarket fruit and vegetables like sweet corn, bananas and carrots have been selectively bred for their sweetness, small size (or absence) of seeds, easy-peel skins, long shelf life and visual appeal, says Robinson.

Ironically, what we’ve gained in taste and good looks, we’ve lost in phytonutrients known to be essential for optimum health. Phytonutrients are chemical compounds such as resveratrol, carotenoids and lycopene, which help protect plants from insects, disease, fungi and other threats. When we consume these plants, they confer some of their benefits onto us.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July - August 2019-Ausgabe von AsiaSpa Magazine.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July - August 2019-Ausgabe von AsiaSpa Magazine.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS ASIASPA MAGAZINEAlle anzeigen
Skin Care - Bask Carefree
AsiaSpa Magazine

Skin Care - Bask Carefree

These skincare essentials protect or soothe while beach-bound.

time-read
1 min  |
Thailand Supplement 2019 - 2020
Winds Of Change
AsiaSpa Magazine

Winds Of Change

Anantara’s Phuket flagship hotels and residences offer a breath of fresh air.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
Thailand Supplement 2019 - 2020
Getting Greener
AsiaSpa Magazine

Getting Greener

Thailand’s fertile jungles, wildlife and rich culture make the ideal landscape for a sustainable vacation. From green hotels with zero-waste policies, to tribal homestays that empower local communities, the variety of experiences are wide and varied.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
Thailand Supplement 2019 - 2020
Rock Out
AsiaSpa Magazine

Rock Out

Phuket’s Kata Rocks injects fun into spas.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
Thailand Supplement 2019 - 2020
Divine Escapes
AsiaSpa Magazine

Divine Escapes

Finding respite in Thailand is easy. The real challenge is selecting from the tempting array of beachside resorts, urban sanctuaries and spa retreats.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
Thailand Supplement 2019 - 2020
Top 10 Historic Thai Sites
AsiaSpa Magazine

Top 10 Historic Thai Sites

A country steeped in history and heritage, Thailand captivates mind and spirit with ancient sites, temples and even secret tunnels.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
Thailand Supplement 2019 - 2020
Mane Attraction
AsiaSpa Magazine

Mane Attraction

Male balding can be slowed with naturopathy, acupuncture and diet

time-read
4 Minuten  |
September - October 2019
Nature's Nutraceutical
AsiaSpa Magazine

Nature's Nutraceutical

The cannabis derivative CBD is said to offer a litany of wellness benefits without the ‘high’ that comes with CBD’s sister extract, THC. Now, it’s making headway into the culinary world

time-read
4 Minuten  |
September - October 2019
Sense Of Place
AsiaSpa Magazine

Sense Of Place

Place The InterContinental-ANA Ishigaki Resort presents laidback, luxury living in beguiling lands that time almost forgot

time-read
7 Minuten  |
September - October 2019
Jasmine Nunns
AsiaSpa Magazine

Jasmine Nunns

A nature walk can help you navigate urban life says this forest therapy guide

time-read
3 Minuten  |
September - October 2019