Dandelion has many health benefits which include cure from anaemia,diabetes,acne.It also used as weight loss supplement and as a skin care product.

You must have seen some yellow colour 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

Health Benefits Of Dandelion

Dandelions have following benefits for your body:

1.BONES:

This herb is rich in Calcium, Vitamin-C, and Luteolin that helps in growth and strengthening of your bones and protects your bones from ageing and other damages.

Ageing and free radicals decrease the density of bones, Vitamins, and Minerals present in it helps in slow down the process.

2.LIVER:

As it has antioxidant properties which can help your liver in better functioning and protects from ageing.Another compound in this herb helps to treat haemorrhaging 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 in nature which means it helps in eliminating the deposits of toxins from 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, 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 tumours.

8.BLOOD PRESSURE:

The fibre 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.

A skin lotion made from leaf blades in distilled water clears your skin.

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

RECIPIES YOU SHOULD TRY:

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.

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.

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.

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 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 gall bladder 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 minimise the risk of contamination.

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 with 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 non-prescription 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.

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