Although you may think of dandelions as common weeds to be eradicated, they are actually not only a tasty food source but also a nutritional powerhouse. The greens of the dandelion can be added to salads or wilted as a side dish like any other green, and the blossoms or leaves can be made into dandelion tea. This has a long history of use, particularly in Chinese medicine. Herbalists have been using dandelion to treat appendicitis and digestive disorders for centuries. Native Americans used dandelions in a wide range of ways, including the prevention of heartburn, as a cure for cramps or PMS, and as a general energy tonic to help boost health.