Dandelion’s Benefits to the Body

Posted by Susannah Singer

Have you heard the song that begins, “How many dandelions this year will grow”? The answer would have to be billions for fields and yards turn yellow in the spring with dandelion flowers. Most people just consider dandelion to be a nuisance. It most likely will be more welcome to you by the time you finished reading this article.

Though most people simply call it dandelion, its official name is Taraxacum officinale. The word dandelion is from the French phrase ‘dent de lion,’ meaning ‘lion’s tooth’ referring to the jagged-edged leaves of this weed. Dandelion the herb is one and the same with the yellow weed growing in your yard. But it has more benefits than most people know.

Though the leaves are used in the most diverse ways, all the dandelion plant has healthful benefits. A few uses for the flowers include making wine, syrup, and jam. They are used in cooking (dandelion flower cookies?), and are made into an oil to rub on sore joints. The roots can be roasted and ground to make a type of root coffee, or be eaten as a vegetable.

Dandelion leaf is an excellent source of iron, sodium, beta-carotene, vitamins A and C, and especially calcium. Some feel that dandelion might have been one of the “bitter herbs” mentioned in the Bible. The leaves do add a bitter flavoring to salads and they can also be cooked like spinach. The best leaves are those that appear before the plant flowers.

Dandelion leaf is famous for its ability to purify the blood and body. It cleanses the liver and increases its output. It also increases the flow of bile into the intestines and the activity of the pancreas and spleen. This makes it effective for the treatment for hepatitis, yellow jaundice, and other liver related problems. Its purifying skill makes it a treatment for some types of anemia. The leaf also helps with weight loss because the acids in the blood build up with weight loss and dandelion destroys them. Dandelion also builds energy and endurance and helps with low blood pressure.

Dandelion has special benefit for female issues. It will enrich breast milk in nursing mothers and this benefits both mother and child. It is beneficial both before, during, and after pregnancy. The diuretic action of dandelion helps relieve some of the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Yes, dandelion is healthy and safe for men, woman, children, and animals.

Dandelion is also good for the brain. The flowers are an excellent source of lecithin, a nutrient that elevates the brain’s acetylcholine. This may benefit those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Lecithin is also an ingredient that helps with liver function. Urinary passages are also opened by Dandelion as part of its cleansing work.

Native Americans used it to treat kidney disease, indigestion, and heartburn. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses dandelion to treat upper respiratory tract infections, including bronchitis and pneumonia.

Dandelion leaves and flowers are best when freshly picked. If this is not possible, the leaves can be refrigerated up to five days when wrapped in a plastic bag. Be sure to wash the leaves thoroughly before using. Leaves may also be frozen for longer periods of time. You can also dry the flowers and leaves yourself and store them in a dark, dry, and cool place. Use them in the bath to treat yeast infections, or to make your own dandelion tea (steep about 1 tablespoon of dried leaves in 1 cup hot water). Dandelion may also be purchased in capsules, tinctures, and powdered form.

Dandelion is generally regarded as safe, but some people report allergic or asthmatic reaction to this herb, especially those with allergies to ragweed or daisies. Traditionally dandelion is not recommended for patients with liver or gallbladder disease but some feel this advice is erroneous.

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