Dandelions aren’t just pesky weeds; they’re healthy too!
Almost everyone knows what a dandelion is. Some people know them as stubborn weeds that are almost impossible to remove from a garden. Others know them as adorable poofballs that you pluck on random summer days, to wish on. If you blow the seeds away, your wish is supposed to come true.
In the world of homeopathic medicine, dandelion has been used for years to cover a wide variety of ailments, from cancer and liver disease, to digestive health and even acne. Most of the dandelion research out there focuses mainly on animal trials, but the health benefits of this plant cannot be denied.
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I have a friend who has been going through a medical ordeal for the better part of a year. She hasn’t gotten a diagnosis yet, and the steroids she has been taking have caused a lot of inflammation. She recently started taking dandelion root, and has noticed a remarkable difference in the way she looks and feels. She is the reason I am writing this post.
So here are five health benefits to dandelion, that you have probably never heard of.
Dandelion are chock full of nutrients. Dandelion greens (not the fuzzy part) can be eaten cooked or raw, and contain vitamins A, B, C, K, and E. They also contain folate, and minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Dandelion root also contains fiber, for your digestive tract.
Dandelion can help with weight loss. According to researchers, the fact that dandelion helps improve the carbohydrate metabolism and reduce fat absorption can help with weight loss.
Dandelion may be good for your liver. In animal studies, the antioxidant content in dandelion was shown to have a protective effect on the liver, and reduce levels of excess fat stored within.
Dandelion can help fight inflammation. Due to polyphenols in the root, dandelion can help reduce your body’s inflammatory immune response to injury or illness. My friend swears by this, although medical science has no clear opinion regarding inflammation in humans. A study done on mice with inflammatory lung disease showed promising results in the mice that received dandelion supplements.
Dandelion contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals in your body. Free radicals contribute to the development of certain diseases, as well as the aging process. Dandelion contain beta-carotene and polyphenols, which helps protect your cells from damage.