Dandelions, some see them as an eyesore, a weed, the infestation of an otherwise beautiful lawn, but that wasn't always the case. Actually, dandelions have been widely considered weeds for only a little more than 100 years. Back when a perfect lawn wasn't so important, dandelions were hailed as medicinal crops, believed to heal a number of ailments.
Truth of the matter is, dandelions are in fact a natural "first aid kit", here are the top 10 health benefits of dandelions.
Creates strong bones
Dandelions are chocked full of calcium and antioxidants like Luteolin and Vitamin C, all of which contribute to bone density and provide protection against the weakening of bones.
Maintains a healthy liver
The dandelion can improve the functioning of our liver. It removes toxins, boosts the flow of bile, and replenishes lost electrolytes.
Fights diabetes
The pancreas naturally produces insulin, and dandelions stimulate that production, which in turn, regulates blood sugar level. Dandelions are also a diuretic and can boost the frequency of urination. This helps the body to remove excess sugars and sodium.
Maintains urinary tract health
As stated above, dandelions are a great natural diuretic. By increasing urination, the dandelion helps to keep the urinary tract free of anti-microbial build ups that lead to Urinary Tract Infections, or UTIs.
Beneficial for healthy skin
As previously mentioned, dandelions are an active detoxifier and antioxidant. These components are extremely effective against common skin problems such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Dandelions contributions to the liver also aids in keeping our skin's elasticity and shine.
Cancer
Dandelion root extract has been shown in studies to be a powerful treatment for leukemia and breast cancer. The dandelion extract can induce apoptosis in leukemia cells, while not affecting healthy cells. A study from 2011 shows that skin cancer cells treated with dandelion root extract began showing significant improvements within just two days of treatment.
Jaundice
As we are already aware, dandelions prove beneficial to the liver. Therefore, Jaundice-a liver disease caused by bile-is seen to be somewhat prevented by the regular ingestion of this miracle plant.
Benefits the gall bladder
Again, with the assistance of the bodies regulation of bile, the dandelion has been proven to benefit the gall bladder. Gallstones can even be flushed out with a dandelion-milk thistle mixture.
Keeps your digestion regular
Whether you're suffering from constipation or diarrhea, dandelions can help keep your digestive tract running like it should. Dandelions are rich in mucilage and inulin which help with the digestion of food.
Aids in circulation
Dandelions are also rich in fiber; this helps the body reduce cholesterol and essentially improves circulation. The dandelion also boasts high levels of iron, vitamin B, and protein.
Here are some ideas so you too can add dandelion to your everyday diet. According to LiveLoveFruit, you can:
- Harvest dandelion, clean the roots, dry them in a dehydrator and then make a tea out of them. Alternatively, you can steep dandelion root tea from a bag, but this is much more expensive.
- Harvest dandelion greens and stick them in a juicer for a major liver-cleansing "juice shot".
- Add some dandelion flowers to your salad or to garnish another meal.
- Make a dandelion green salad mixed with other tender leafy greens to offset the bitters with more bland flavors and textures.
It is also advised to refrain from picking dandelions that you might find in someone's yard, as they may have been sprayed with weed killer. If you are interested in adding dandelion to your diet, you can order them online.
