Benefits of Dandelion Root and Leaf

Are there any benefits of dandelion root and leaf?

What if you were told that there was a miraculous new discovery which - when taken daily - depending of course on your personal body chemistry could:

prevent or cure liver diseases such as hepatitis or jaundice

act as a tonic and gentle diuretic to purify your blood

cleanse your system

dissolve kidney stones

improve gastro-intestinal health

assist in weight reduction

cleanse your skin and eliminate acne

improve your bowel function - working equally well to relieve constipation and diarrhea

prevent or lower high blood pressure

prevent or cure anemia

lower your serum cholesterol by as much as half

eliminate or drastically reduce acid indigestion and gas buildup

prevent or cure various forms of cancer

prevent or control diabetes mellitus

All of this without the negative side effects and it selectively acts only on your particular symptoms.

All of the above healing functions - and more - have been attributed to one plant known as, Taraxacum Officinale, which means the "Official Remedy for Disorders." But you may better know it as simply ...dandelion. It has been described as "a plant for which we once knew the use but we've forgotten it".

They are native to Eurasia and North American, but a couple of species - which are completely edible - are found worldwide. It is so well respected, in fact, that it appears in the U.S. National Formulatory, and in the Pharmacopeias of Hungary, Poland, Switzerland, and the Soviet Union. It is one of the top 6 herbs in the Chinese herbal medicine chest.

According to the USDA, dandelions rank in the top 4 green vegetables in overall nutritional value. Dandelions are nature's richest green vegetable source of beta-carotene, from which Vitamin A is created, and the third richest source of Vitamin A of all foods, after cod-liver oil and beef liver!

Pictures of a Dandelion

Benefits of Dandelion Root and Leaf: Nutritional Value

These are all that's published by the USDA, however, there are studies in Russia and Eastern Europe that indicate that dandelion is also rich in micronutrients such as copper, cobalt, zinc, boron, and molybdenum, as well as Vitamin D.

Benefits of Dandelion Root and Leaf: What Else is in Dandelion?

Throughout history, dandelions have had a reputation as being effective in promoting weight loss.

Even beyond nutritional richness are the active chemical constituents contained in dandelions which may have specific therapeutic effects on the body. These include:

Inulin: converts to fructose in the presence of cold or hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Fructose forms glycogen in the liver without requiring insulin, resulting in a slower blood sugar rise, which makes it good for diabetics and hypoglycemic.

Tof-CFr: a glucose polymer similar to lentinan, which Japanese researchers have found to act against cancer cells in laboratory mice; Lentinan is a yeast glucan (glucose polymer) that increases resistance against protozoal and viral infections.

Pectin: an anti-diarrheal and also forms ionic complexes with metal ions, which probably contributes to dandelion's reputation as a blood and gastrointestinal detoxifying herb. Pectin is prescribed regularly in Russia to remove heavy metals and radioactive elements from body tissues. Pectin can also lower cholesterol and, combined with Vitamin C, can lower it even more. Dandelion is a good source of both Pectin and Vitamin C.

Coumestrol: an estrogen mimic which possibly is responsible, at least in part, for stimulating milk flow and altering hormones.

Apigenin and Luteolin: two flavonoid glycosides which have been demonstrated to have diuretic, anti-spasmodic, anti-oxidant and liver protecting actions and properties, and also to strengthen the heart and blood vessels. They also have anti-bacterial and anti-hypoglycemic properties, and, as estrogen mimics, may also stimulate milk production and alter hormones.

Gallic Acid: anti-diarrheal and anti-bacterial.

Linoleic and Linolenic Acid: essential fatty acids required by the body to produce prostaglandin which regulate blood pressure and such body processes as immune responses which suppress inflammation. These fatty acids can lower chronic inflammation, such as proliferative arthritis, regulate blood pressure and the menstrual cycle, and prevent platelet aggregation.

Choline: which has been shown to help improve memory.

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Several Sesquiterpene compounds: these are what make dandelions bitter. These may partly account for dandelions tonic effects on digestion, liver, spleen and gall bladder, and are highly anti-fungal.

Several Triterpenes: which may contribute to bile or liver stimulation.

Taraxasterol: which may contribute to liver and gall bladder health or to hormone altering.

These chemicals, individually, are not unique to dandelions, but the combination of them all in one plant, along with high levels of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins and fiber account for the many claims made regarding the plant.

Benefits of Dandelion Root and Leaf: What the Studies Show

These claims include the following results of clinical and laboratory research:

Dandelion Leaf

A) Benefits of dandelion leaf:

Dandelion Root

B) Benefits of dandelion root:

C) Benefits of dandelion pollen:

Benefits of Dandelion Root and Leaf: Fun Facts About Dandelions

The flower heads are yellow to orange colored, and are open in the daytime but closed at night.

After flowering is finished, the dandelion flower head dries out for a day or two. The dried petals and stamens drop off. After the seed is released, the parachutes lose their feathered structure and take on a fuzzy, cotton-like appearance, often called "dandelion snow."

Dandelions were introduced to North America by early European immigrants.

Dandelion leaves and buds have been a part of traditional Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. In Crete, Greece, several varieties have their leaves eaten raw or boiled in salads by the locals.

The flower petals, along with other ingredients, are used to make dandelion wine.

The roasted, ground roots can be used as a caffeine-free dandelion coffee.

Benefits of Dandelion Root and Leaf: Other Uses

The dandelion plant is a beneficial weed, with a wide range of uses, and is even a good companion plant for gardening. Dandelions are often controlled with herbicides. However, its ability to break up hard earth with its deep tap root, bringing up nutrients from below the reach of other plants, makes it a good companion for weaker or shallower-rooted crops. It is also known to attract pollinating insects and release ethylene gas which helps fruit to ripen.

Benefits of Dandelion Root and Leaf: Testimonials

Robert Stickle, an internationally famous architect, was diagnosed as having a malignant melanoma and was given, after radical surgery had not halted its spread, less than 2 years to live. He said, in a letter to Jeff Zullo, president of the Society for the Promotion of Dandelions:

He states that he began eating dandelion salad every day, and his improvement confounded the doctors. When he wrote the letter in 1986, 18 years had passed and there had been no recurrence of the melanoma.

Peter Gruchawka, a 70 year old gentleman from Manorville, NY, who reported that he had been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus 3 months before and was put on 5 grams of Micronase. At the time, he had a 5+ sugar spillover in his urine. He took Micronase for about a month before he learned, from his wife who is a nurse, that Micronase can do damage to the liver. He had read in "Herbal Medicine" by Diane Buchanan and "Back to Eden" by Jethro Kloss about the effectiveness of dandelions in controlling diabetes. Without saying anything to his doctors, he stopped taking Micronase and began drinking dandelion coffee each day.

During the first week, his urinary sugar, measured night and morning, was erratic and unstable, but after a week, his sugar stabilized and when he called, he had been getting negative urine sugar readings for over a month. The doctors are amazed and can't explain it. An interesting side benefit to replacing Micronase with dandelion coffee is that, while Micronase damages the liver as a side effect, dandelions are particularly known for strengthening the liver.

According to Mr. Gruchawka, he changed nothing but the medication. He had cut out pastries and other sugars when he was diagnosed and started on Micronase, and has continued to do without those things while taking dandelion coffee.

Remember dandelion side effects??? ...None!

Benefits of Dandelion Root and Leaf: Disclaimer

First, you must remember that neither herbs nor synthetic remedies work for everyone in the same way. Different bodies respond differently to medicines, and what works incredibly well for one person may not work at all, or work less well, for someone else.

Second, good health results from a combination of healthy diet and enough exercise to keep the body toned. Bob Stickle, for all his insistence that dandelions cured him, had changed, according to a mutual friend, his entire lifestyle. He didn't just add dandelion salad to what he was already doing.

And finally, people with health problems need to seek the advice and care of a competent physician, with whom this information can be shared. It is important to re-emphasize that this is presented as information only. We are NOT medical doctors, and neither advocate nor prescribe dandelions or dandelion products for use by anyone or for any ailment. Only your doctor can do that.

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