Medicinal Plants - Health Benefits of Dandelion
Dandelion is known as 'pissenlit' ('wet-the-bed') in France, thanks to its perceived diuretic properties! But that is not all is good for, thank goodness! Some traditional uses of dandelion include aiding in the elimination of toxins and a way to purify the blood and cleanse the body. It has also been used as a gentle laxative, a way to ease digestion and relieve gastric discomfort as well as stimulate the liver and improve appetite. In traditional Chinese medicine, it has been used for liver disorders, abscesses, and snake bites!
And you thought this was just a weed to be poisoned out of your grass!
In Greece it is eaten often with meals, boiled and then topped with lemon juice. This is a traditional staple item on menus in Greece as dandelion greens as they help to alleviate stomach and digestive discomfort, including flatulence. It is the high potassium content in the greens which contributes to its powerful diuretic effects and some studies show that dandelion also contains anti-inflammatory properties.
Dandelion is a member of Asteraceae family and can grow to up to 50cm/20inches in height. It grows wild and and its grows easily - keep it growing in your own gardens and lawns and enjoy all the benefits of this powerful leafy green! Instead of going to war with the ubiquitous yellow weeds, you might want to welcome them into your kitchen.
“Dandelions are herbs, and herbs have many health and nutritional benefits,” says registered dietitian Nancy Geib, RD, LDN. Dandelions pack a whole lot of vitamins and minerals into a small plant. “They’re probably the most nutritionally dense green you can eat — outstripping even kale or spinach,” Geib says.
Dandelion greens, in particular, are a great source of vitamins and minerals such as:
Vitamins A, C and K
Folate
Calcium
Potassium
Provide antioxidants
Dandelions contain several different types of antioxidants throughout the roots, leaves and flowers, Geib says. Antioxidants protect your body against free radicals — rogue molecules that can damage your body’s cells and make you age faster.
Reduce inflammation
Chronic inflammation in the body plays a role in a long list of serious health problems, including cancer and heart disease. One way to stay healthy is by eating foods that fight inflammation. Add dandelion to your anti-inflammatory diet: Lab studies have found that compounds in these plants can dial down inflammation.
Manage blood pressure
Dandelions are rich in potassium, which makes them a natural diuretic. In other words, they make you pee. Diuretics are often used to help control high blood pressure.
Control blood sugar
Dandelion has been used around the world as a natural way to control Type 2 diabetes. Researchers are still investigating that link, but studies in animals suggest that the compounds in dandelions might help reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
Lower cholesterol
Lowering cholesterol is a key step to reducing the risk of heart disease. Studies in animals have found that extracts from dandelion roots and leaves can naturally lower cholesterol levels.
Dandelions have a lot going for them, but there are some things to know before serving them for dinner. You can pick the blossoms right from your yard, “but — if you’re harvesting wild dandelions — make sure you’re picking them from an area you know hasn’t been treated with pesticides or other chemicals,” Geib cautions.
You don’t need to eat them every day to reap the benefits (though you could if that’s your jam). Geib suggests approaching them like any other herb and adding them into the rotation as part of a varied and colorful diet.
“Dandelions are really wonderful for their nutrition and medicinal value,” Geib says. “Don’t be afraid to try something out of the box.”
The information above is provided by The Cleveland Clinic
"Dandelion roots are usually used to stimulate the appetite and for gallbladder and liver problems. Dandelion leaves are used for diuretic purposes to help get rid of excess fluid. Dandelion is also used as a digestive aid because of its bitter properties that stimulate the salivary glands and gastric juices. The roots can increase bile flow, which helps with liver congestion, bile duct inflammation, hepatitis, and jaundice. The diuretic properties can contribute to noticeable weight loss. Some also argue that it helps produce antibodies that fight cancer and buffer glucose levels." - MedicineNet
"Some limited research has indicated that dandelion may help reduce the growth of certain types of cancer. So far, studies have looked at dandelion’s impact on cancer growth in test tubes and found that it may help slow the growth of certain cancers.
One 2017 study examining cancer growth in a test tube determined that dandelion extract may help reduce the growth of liver cancer. Other research has shown similar benefits for:
colon cancer
breast cancer
pancreatic cancer
prostate cancer
There is some evidence that suggests that dandelions can help boost the immune system. A 2021 review notes that dandelions have both antiviral and antibacterial properties. For example, one 2020 study found that dandelions help limit the growth of hepatitis B in cells in test tubes." - Medical News Today
"From root to flower, it’s clear that dandelion is rich in nutrients.
Dandelion contains:
Vitamins: A, C, E, K, B vitamins
Minerals: Potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium
Phenolic acids: Chicoric acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid
Flavonoids: Luteolin, apigenin, quercetin derivatives
Terpenoids: Sesquiterpene lactones
Inulin: Prebiotic fiber, mainly in roots
Because of this nutrient profile, dandelion can be a healthy addition to a balanced diet.
Some animal studies suggest that dandelion extract may protect against liver damage and disease. A 2021 study in animals found that dandelion root extract helped prevent liver damage in rats with induced liver failure.
Other animal studies, such as this one from 2016, have shown that dandelion root extract may reduce excess fat stored in the liver and safeguard against oxidative stress."
It is time to stop killing this in your own gardens and lawns and start harvesting it for your health!
6D Living
Wellness in Balance
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