Can a common weed have medicinal properties?
You’ve probably noticed beautiful, yellow dandelion flowers growing in the forests, roadsides, parks, driveways and everywhere. People often regard dandelion as stubborn lawn weed, but they are much more than that, as a matter of scientific fact; Dandelion is superfood and have amazing medicinal properties.
Yes, you read it correctly, dandelion is superfood!
Dandelion related to Daisies
Taraxacum officinale, common dandelion, is an herb and part of the daisy family.
It is safe to consume dandelion leaves, roots and a flower. Dandelion greens can be eaten raw like a salad or steamed. Dandelion root is often dried and consumed as a drink. Flowers can be used as decoration or eaten raw.
It is a great source of Vitamin A, C, K and B. It also has several minerals like zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium and calcium. One cup of serving of dandelion greens contains ten (10) percent of your daily recommendation of calcium. Calcium is essential in keeping the bones healthy and strong, preventing blood clotting and maintaining normal nerve cell transmission. Drinking dandelion tea may prevent tooth decay, muscle tension, calcium deficiency and maintaining normal blood pressure.
Amazing health benefits of Dandelion
- Dandelion shows potential for anti-cancerous effect that comes from the dandelion root extract. A Canadian study showed that dandelion root extract was effective in treating melanoma by inducing a cell death to cancerous cells but not to healthy cells. Another study showed the same reaction with pancreatic cancer cells.
- It has been used traditionally in herbal medicine for the disorders from the liver, gallbladder, digestive tract or rheumatic diseases. Research found that dandelion is an effective diuretic, reducing the fluids in the body and therefore reducing blood pressure too. It can flush accumulated toxins from your body.
- Dandelion has been used traditionally to relieve and treat constipation and improving digestive system because of the prebiotic. The root of a dandelion has a soluble fibre called inulin. Inulin maintains the healthy bacterial balance in your gastrointestinal tract.
- Beautiful flower has polyphenols, healthy antioxidants. They are significant antimicrobial and antibacterial properties which reduces viruses’ ability to replicate.
More Awesome advantages
The plant contains a variety of phytochemicals including chicoric acid and inulin. Leaf extract has been scientifically proven to block the spike protein (from certain viruses). Therefore, it helps and reduces inflammation. This can be very useful in treating and managing symptoms of common colds, arthritis, excema and psoriasis.
Firstly, Dandelions contain beta carotene preventing cell damage and oxidative stress. Antioxidants are substances that help neutralize free radicals in your body. Free radicals may cause diseases in your body.
Secondly, dandelion has been proven scientifically to improve skin conditions. Dandelion extract from the flower and leaves, prevented skin damage caused by sunlight, ageing and acne. It reduced the inflammation, and irritation and increased hydration and generation of the new skin cell production.
Thirdly, dandelion may help people with diabetes. Chicoric and chlorogenic acid are bioactive compounds that help balancing blood sugar levels and improving insulin sensitivity. It can also be used as an appetite suppressant, which helps to maintain normal body weight.
Delicious new coffee and tea alternative
Have you ever thought of swapping your cup of coffee to something more healthier? You could enjoy a dandelion latte and have all the medicinal benefits without the side-effects of caffeine.
Dried dandelion roots are roasted to dark brown colour and used as a substitute for coffee. It resembles normal coffee delicately with warm and nutty flavours.
Dandelion Tea can be made from the dried flowers, leaves or the root. Delicious dandelion Chai tea is a great alternative to your normal black chai tea without enduring the potential side-effects of caffeine. It is a combination of beautiful warm spices together with roasted dandelion and chicory root. Sounds delicious, doesn’t it?
Dandelions are everywhere!
You can find chicory coffee and dandelion tea from normal foods stores and especially from the health food stores.
Dandelion extract and capsules can be found from the natural health stores or online.
Just take a moment to look out for the real dandelion flowers blooming and glowing everywhere…aren’t they just beautiful?
