Dandelion has many health benefits which include cure from anemia, diabetes, acne. It also used as a weight loss supplement and as a skin care product.
You must have seen some yellow color flowering weed in your backyard followed by globular heads of seeds.It is wholly edible, and it also plays an important role as a herb.
It gives many nutrients to your body such as- Sodium, Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Chlorine, Calcium, Silicon, Boron, Copper, Iron and Zinc and all other vitamins. It also contains proteins and carbohydrates.-
Do you know that the entire plant is used by many herbalists?
Its roots are used to prepare herbal tea, which is a tonic in itself. Its leaves promote digestion and stimulate your appetite. The juice of flower itself is good for bone disorders. Moreover, it has antioxidant properties
Table of Contents
Health Benefits Of Dandelion
Dandelions have the following benefits for your body:
1. Bones
This herb is rich in Calcium, Vitamin-C, and Luteolin that helps in the growth and strengthening of your bones and protects your bones from aging and other damages.
Aging and free radicals decrease the density of bones, Vitamins, and Minerals present in it helps to slow down the process.
2. Liver
As it has antioxidant properties which can help your liver in better functioning and protects from aging. Another compound in this herb helps to treat hemorrhaging in the liver.
It also maintains proper bile flow, while stimulating and promoting digestion. Dandelion is very helpful for protects your organ from infections.
3. Diabetes
If you have diabetes, then it will help you in controlling sugar levels. It helps to stimulate insulin production from the pancreas, ultimately resulting in low blood sugar levels.
Its diuretic property also helps in lowering the sugar level by washing the excess sugar deposits from the kidneys by increased urination.
4. Kidneys
It is highly diuretic which means it helps in eliminating the deposits of toxins from the urinary tract and kidneys. Its disinfectant properties help to restrict the growth of microbial growth in the urinary system.
5. Skin
It is good detoxifier, an antioxidant which helps in treating and preventing the growth of acne.Acne is caused by hormonal changes, unhealthy eating habits which change in skin texture and results in oily skin, on which dust particles get stuck which causes blocking of a pore and toxic substance present in our body cannot escape out and cause infection which leads to acne.
It’s antioxidant, detoxification and diuretic properties help in treating the acne problem from its roots. Its milk helps in treating various microbial diseases and fungal infections such as itching during pregnancy, ringworm, eczema, etc. Be careful while using the milk; avoid its contact with eyes.
6. Weight Loss
Do you know that your urine carries 4% of fat?Its diuretic nature helps you to urinate more and helps you to lose dreaded “water weight.” Moreover, its leaves help in lowering the calories. Dandelions are packed with a natural sweetener, so helps to avoid unhealthy artificial sugar.
7. Cancer
As it is highly antioxidant, contains Vitamin C and Luteolin which reduces free radicals from your body and reduces the risk of cancer. And further, protects your body from developing tumors.
8. Blood Pressure
The fiber present in it helps in controlling the cholesterol level and thus controlling the blood pressure. Of it, diuretic properties frequency and quantity urination help you in lowering the blood pressure too.Women, who are breastfeeding, have benefited as it helps in promoting lactation.
9. Anemia
Dandelions are rich in iron, vitamins, and proteins. Iron is a vital ingredient of blood and vitamins helps production of red blood cells and other components of blood.
10. Other Uses
If you place, the flowers and leaves of dandelion in a paper bag with unripe fruits; it releases ethylene gas that helps to ripen the fruit quickly.
A dark red dye is extracted from Dandelion root.It helps to get rid of fat feet.A skin lotion made from leaf blades in distilled water clears your skin.
Side Effects Of Dandelion
If you have a ragweed allergy, then you are likely to be allergic to dandelion. It can cause skin irritations and breathing difficulties, such as:
- Shortness of breath.
- Chest tightness.
- Wheezing.
You may develop sores the inside of your mouth.
Dandelion can also react with certain medications and antibiotics. If you are taking diuretic medications or supplements, you may see potassium levels rise which could cause a condition called hyperkalemia.
Dandelion may worsen the side effects related to lithium, which is used to treat manic depression.
Some species of dandelion decreases the absorption of Quinolone antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin, and levofloxacin) from the digestive tract.
Dandelion may cause increased stomach acidity and ulcer pain. If you have gallstones or biliary tract obstructions, you should avoid this herb.
Reaction With Other Drugs
If you are taking diuretic drugs, insulin, or medications that reduce blood-sugar levels, you should use dandelion only under doctor’s supervision.
It may increase the production of acid in the stomach, which interfere with the acid-blocking actions of histamine-2 receptor blockers, like Cimetidine (Tagamet), Famotidine (Pepcid), Nizatidine (Axid), and Ranitidine (Zantac) and proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium, Omeprazole (Prilosec), Prevacid, and Protonix.
If you are allergic to related plants, such as Chamomile and Yarrow, then you should not use dandelion.
Dandelion should be avoided during antibiotic treatment, especially when treating with Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), Ofloxacin (Floxin), Lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), Norfloxacin (Noroxin), and Enoxacin (Penetrex).
When To Consult Your Doctor?
Some medical conditions may interact with dandelion. Consult your doctor if you face any medical conditions, especially:
- If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
- If you are taking any prescription or medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- If you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other constituents.
- If you have diabetes or gallbladder problems.
Consult your doctor before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
Things To Avoid During Its Intake
- Avoid using dandelion together with other supplements, which affect blood-clotting.
- You should not take it with Angelica, capsicum, clove, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, horse chestnut, poplar, red clover, saw palmetto, turmeric, and willow.
- If you are allergic to any substance present in dandelion.
- If you have bile duct or intestinal blockage.
Chemical Constituents
| NUTRIENTS | MEASUREMENT (MG/100Gm) |
| Vitamin A | 14000 |
| Vitamin C | 0.19 |
| Thiamine | 0.26 |
| Riboflavin | 35 |
| Calcium | 187 |
| Phosphorus | 66 |
| Iron | 3.1 |
| Sodium | 76 |
| Potassium | 397 |
| Protein | 2.7 |
| Fat | 0.7 |
| Calories | 45 |
Recipes You Should Try
a. Dandelion Tea
Ingredients
- Water-1 cup
- Roasted Dandelion root-1 cup
- Fennel or Anise seed-6 tbsp
- Green Cardamom pods-36
- Cloves-72
- Cinnamon sticks- 6
- Dried Ginger root-2 tbsp
- Black Peppercorns-1 1/2
- Bay leaves-12
- Milk-2 tbsp
- Honey- to taste
Method
- Grind all the above dry ingredients.
- Add 1 tbsp. Tea mixture in water in a pan.
- Simmer it on a medium flame for 5 minutes, and then let steep for 10 minutes.
- Add honey and hot milk, then serve.
b. Dandelion Flower Tea
Ingredients
- Dandelion florets-8
- Hot water-1 cup
- Honey/Sugar – To taste
Method
- In a glass, jug put the washed florets and then pour boiling water and let as it is for 5 minutes.
- In a cup, add honey or sugar and the water. Stir it well and enjoy the tea.
c. Iced Lime Dandelion Tea
Ingredients
- Dandelion flowerS-3 cups
- Cold water-9 cups
- Hot water -1 cup
- Lime juice of -3 – 4 limes
- Honey-2 – 3 Tsp
Method
- In a pan, pour the hot water and flowers. Let them steep for a 5-8 minute.
- Add lime juice and honey in the jug and pour in the flower water after straining them.
- Refrigerate it for 2-3 hours and then serve in teacups with florets in it.
d. Cream Of Dandelion Soup
Ingredients
- Chopped Dandelion leaves-4 cups
- Dandelion flower petals-2 cups
- Dandelion buds-2 cups
- Butter or Olive oil-1 tbsp
- Chopped Onions-1 cup
- Minced Garlic-6 clovesWater-4 cups
- Heavy cream-2 cups
- Salt-To taste
Method
- Boil dandelion leaves in water on low flame. Pour off bitter water and again repeat the process.
- In a heavy based pan, put onions and garlic in butter or olive oil until tender.
- Add 4 cups water.
- Add dandelion leaves, flower petals, buds, and salt.
- Simmer it for 45 minutes.
- Add cream and again simmer it for 4-5 minutes.
- Pour the soup the bowls and garnish with flower petals and serve hot.
How To Pick And Use Dandelion Flowers?
While picking your dandelions, be careful that you should avoid areas where weed-killer, pesticides, and insecticides may have been sprayed.
If you are planning to use the roots, dig down deep and pull up the entire plant sometimes it is attached to several stems.
Clean it with water until all of the dirt is removed. You can use the raw root to make tea or roast the root to make coffee.
They can be stored in the refrigerator for a week. Wrap the green leaves in a damp paper towel which keep them fresh longer and can be used in salads.
Dosage
Recommend the range of doses-
| FORM | MEASUREMENTS |
| Fresh leaves | 4 – 10 gms/day |
| Dried leaves | 4 – 10 gms/day |
| Fresh leaf juice | One tsp. twice a day |
| Fluid extract | 1 – 2 Tsp. a day |
| Fresh roots | 2 – 8 gms a day |
| Dried powdered extract | 250 – 1000mg 3 – 4 time a day |
| Tea | I cup |
Information That You Should Know About Dandelion
Do not take dandelion without consulting your doctor if you:
- Have gallbladder problems.
- Have diabetes or if you take medicine to control blood sugar levels.
- Take a diuretic pill.
- Take an anticoagulant (blood thinner) such as warfarin.
Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
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