Salads
Dandelion Salad |
This is a slightly unusual, but thoroughly satisfying salad that is not only fabulous for the health of the joints, but is a great cleanser on all levels. This due to its strong diuretic action from the dandelion, celeriac, and the celery. It is possible to buy dandelion leaves pre washed and packed from some supermarkets, but it is most likely that you will need to collect them by hand, which is great fun and also brings a whole new relationship between you and your food.
Ingredients
1 large handful of dandelion leaves, thoroughly washed.
1 stick of celery, diagonally chopped.
Half a carrot grated.
2 tablespoons of grated celeriac.
3 tablespoons of alfalfa sprouts.
1 teaspoon of pumpkin seeds.
1 teaspoon of sunflower seeds.
Dressing
1 tablespoon of sundried tomato pesto.
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
Blend the veggies together. Mix the olive oil and pesto together thoroughly and pour over salad. sprinkle the seeds over the salad and mix again.
Therapeutic effects
Dandelion leaves
These fabulous nutritionally rich leaves are an extremely effective diuretic agent. We have already established that diuretic substances are useful in removing the metabolic waste that can be left lying around following inflammatory activity. This action from dandelion has been documented for centuaries. However, it is still unknown exactly how this effect takes place.
Celery
This has featured in the anti-rheumatoid risotto becuase of its significance in treating painful conditions of the joints. There is a chemical present in celery called 3-n-butylphthalide (3nB). This substance has been used as a significant pain killer that clinical trials have shown has a particularly beneficial effect in rheumatic and muscular pain.
Carrots
These family favourites are very rich in the antioxidant nutrient beta carotene. This nutrient will work as an anti-inflammatory agent. Some inflammatory responses are driven by powerful free radicals. Antioxidant nutrients will put a stop to these devilish agents, as well as protecting the body from the damage that free radicals can do to tissues systemically.
Celeriac
This is the root of the celery plant, and contains the same constituents as the arial (above ground) parts, but in higher concentrations. The addition of this tasty aromatic root to the salad will further enhance the diuretic and pain relieving properties that have been discussed for celery.
Pumpkin and Sunflower seeds
These delicious seeds are a wonderful source of minerals, including the vitally important selenium. They also contain omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids that are involved in moderating the inflammatory process by manipulating the production of those oh so important prostaglandins we have discussed several times in this chapter. The selenium found in pumpkin and sunflower seeds is an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory compound.