What are the tiny yellow flowers with tiny white seed puffs popping up all over the yard. Tall stems maybe a foot or less. Broad green leaves near the ground. Are they considered weeds? Do they have any herbal qualities?

Does it look like the following?

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If so, it is a dandelion

Historical or traditional use of the dandelion

Dandelion is commonly used as a food. The leaves are used in salads and teas, while the roots are often used as a coffee substitute. Dandelion leaves and roots have been used for hundreds of years to treat liver, gallbladder, kidney, and joint problems. In some traditions, dandelion is considered a blood purifier and is used for ailments as varied as eczema and cancer. As is the case today, dandelion has also been used historically to treat poor digestion, water retention, and diseases of the liver, including hepatitis.

I often use the leaves in salads.

Sounds like she is describing a dandelion to me.

It is similar to dandelions but much much smaller, and between 3 to 7 per stem.