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Dandelion and its use in Various Diseases

The morphology of Taraxacum officinale.

Common application


  • The root of the dandelion plant enhances the functioning of the liver, very significantly in the case of hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) and jaundice

  • Dandelion leaves help reduce fluid retention

  • Dandelion root helps reduce estrogen dominance in endometriosis and breast pain

  • Dandelion root aids digestion by stimulating the release of bile from the liver and gallbladder; it can help prevent gallstones.

  • While many people think of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) as a boring weed, it's actually packed with vitamins A, B, C, and D, as well as minerals like iron, potassium, and zinc.


Dandelion leaves are used to add flavor to salads, sandwiches and teas. The root is used in some coffee substitutes, and the flowers are used to make wine.


In the past, dandelion root and leaves were used to treat liver problems. Native Americans also boiled dandelions in water and took them to treat kidney disease, swelling, skin problems, heartburn, and upset stomachs.


In traditional Chinese medicine, dandelion is used to treat stomach upsets, appendicitis, and breast problems, such as inflammation or lack of milk.


Dandelion was used in Europe to treat fevers, ulcers, eye problems, diabetes, and diarrhea (loose stools).


Today, the roots are mainly used to stimulate the appetite and for liver and gall bladder problems. Dandelion leaves are used as a diuretic to rid the body of excess fluid.


Description of the plant

  • Hundreds of species of dandelion grow in the temperate regions of Europe, Asia and North America. Dandelion is a hardy perennial plant that can reach up to 30 cm in height. The plants have deeply incised, toothed blade-like leaves that are shiny and smooth. Dandelion stalks are covered with bright yellow flowers. Cut leaves are like a funnel that channels rain to the roots. When the flower reaches maturity, the plant produces pollen seeds that are blown by the wind.


Dandelion flowers open in the morning sun and close in the evening or during gloomy weather. The dark brown root is fleshy and brittle and filled with a white milky substance that is bitter and mildly scented.


Dandelion leaves act as a diuretic, increasing the amount of urine the body makes. The leaves are used to stimulate the appetite and help with better digestion. Dandelion flower has antioxidant properties. It can also help improve the immune system. [1]


Herbalists use dandelion root to detoxify the liver and gallbladder, and dandelion leaves to aid kidney function.


How it works

Water retention and bloating

  • Most scientific studies on dandelion have been conducted on animals, not humans. Traditionally, dandelion is used as a diuretic to increase the amount of urine and eliminate fluid from the body.

It is used for many conditions that a diuretic can help, such as liver problems and high blood pressure.


Gallbladder stones, jaundice and hepatitis

  • Studies on the beneficial effects of dandelion on the liver have shown that this medicinal herb increases the production and flow of bile from the liver and gallbladder, helping to treat conditions such as gallstones, jaundice and hepatitis.


Endometriosis

  • Dandelion's ability to improve liver function is that its root can be effective in alleviating symptoms of excess estrogen, such as endometriosis and breast pain before the menstrual cycle. By increasing the ability of the liver to remove excess estrogen from the body, it helps to restore a healthy balance of hormones in women suffering from such disorders.


Constipation (constipation)

  • The fresh or dried dandelion plant is used both as a mild appetite stimulant and to improve stomach discomfort.


The root of the dandelion plant can act as a mild laxative and is used to improve digestion. Dandelion root tea can also be a mild remedy for constipation.


Diabetes

  • Preliminary animal studies indicate that dandelion may help normalize blood sugar levels and lower total cholesterol and triglycerides, while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol in diabetic mice. Research should show whether dandelion would have the same effect in humans.


Anemia

  • This herb can also improve the body's ability to absorb iron from food or supplements, making it useful in some cases of anemia.

Fibrocystic breast disease

  • Dandelion improves liver detoxification of excess estrogen. It has been documented as the most effective herbal diuretic available for reducing breast swelling and associated discomfort.

Cancer

  • Early research suggests that dandelion may be important in cancer treatment: the Japanese have patented a frozen dandelion root extract to use against tumors, and the Chinese are using dandelion extract to treat breast cancer.


Available forms

  • Dandelion plants and roots can be found fresh or dried in a variety of forms, including tinctures, liquid extract-drops, teas, tablets, and capsules.

  • In addition to the root, tea is also made from dandelion leaves and can be found alone or in combination with other supplements.

RECIPES:


Dandelion root tea recipe

Ingredients:

  • 200 ml water

  • 1 teaspoon root dandelion

  • little pot


Pour 200 ml of water into a small pot and wait for it to boil, add a little spoon of dandelion root and cook for 5 minutes. After that, turn off the heat and let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes covered. After that, strain it. Drink it 3 times a day before meals. Drink 2-3 weeks, take a break of 2 weeks and drink it again.This tea is good for detoxifying your body.

Dandelion oil Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup fresh dandelion flowers/ 200 ml

  • 1 and 1/2 cups of olive oil /or jojoba or almond oil

  • jar

  • 1 cap of alcohol 40%

To pick fresh dandelion flowers, you need 1 cup of 200 ml, then pour over one and a half cups of olive oil. Keep for 2 weeks in a dark place. After that, add 1 cap of alcohol and mix everything together, strain through cheesecloth. This oil is good for muscle and joint pain and rheumatic problems. Keep in the refrigerator. If you don't like oil, you can also make a dandelion paste.

Dandelion Paste Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of dandelion oil 150 ml

  • 30 g of beeswax

  • 30 g of shea butter

  • 20 drops of ethereal oil lavender /or orange


Steam the dandelion oil, add shea butter and beeswax at a lower temperature. When the ingredients have melted and combined, stir for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add essential oil, mix everything well and pour into glass and metal boxes. Apply as needed when you feel pain in your joints or muscles. Store in the refrigerator.

How to take it

Children

  • Before giving food supplements based on dandelion to a child, it is necessary to consult a doctor so that he can determine the right dose.

Adults

  • In improving liver function in case of hepatitis, gallstones and endometriosis: take 500 mg of dandelion root extract twice a day or one or two tablespoons of liquid extract three times a day-

  • For constipation: drink one cup of dandelion root tea three times a day

  • For anemia: take one teaspoon of fresh dandelion juice or tincture every morning and evening with half a glass of water

  • For water retention: drink one cup of tea from dandelion leaves (not roots) three times a day

NOTE: It is always best to find the ideal dose with a doctor, depending on the condition for which dandelion is used.


Instructions for use

  • Drink fresh dandelion juice or liquid extract with water. Capsules and tablets containing dandelion root extract can be consumed with or without food.

Precautionary measures

  • The use of medicinal herbs is an approach that requires time in order to give the full effect of strengthening the body and treating diseases. However, herbs can cause side effects and may interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, medicinal herbs should be taken carefully, under the supervision of a doctor qualified in the field.


  • Dandelion is generally considered safe. Some people may have an allergic reaction to the touch of dandelion, while others may develop mouth ulcers.

  • People allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, calendula, chamomile, yarrow, white daisy or iodine should avoid dandelion.

  • In some people, dandelion can cause increased stomach acid and heartburn. It can also irritate the skin.

  • People who have problems with the kidneys, bile ducts or gallstones should consult a doctor before using dandelion.


Possible interactions

  • Dandelion leaf can act as a diuretic, which causes drugs to leave the body more quickly. It also interacts with various drugs that are broken down by the liver. If you are using any of the following medications, you should definitely consult your doctor before using dandelion.


Medicines that may interact with dandelion include:


Antacids: Dandelion can increase the amount of stomach acid, so it can prevent the effect of this group of drugs.


Blood thinners (anticoagulants and antiplatelets): It is possible that dandelion may increase your risk of bleeding, especially if you are already taking a blood thinner such as aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), or clopidogrel (Plavix).


Diuretics: Dandelion can act as a diuretic, causing the body to make more urine to get rid of excess fluid. If a prescription diuretic or other diuretic herb is taken at the same time, an electrolyte imbalance may occur.


Lithium: Lithium is used to treat bipolar disorder. Animal studies suggest that dandelion may worsen the side effects of lithium.


Ciproflaxin (Cipro): One type of dandelion, Taraxacum mongolicum, also called Chinese dandelion, can reduce the amount of the antibiotic ciproflaxin that the body absorbs. There is no research yet on whether regular dandelion would do the same thing.


Diabetes medications: Theoretically, dandelion can lower blood sugar levels. If you take medication for diabetes, taking dandelion may increase your risk of low blood sugar.


Drugs broken down by the liver: Dandelion can interact with many drugs. To be sure, consult your doctor if you are taking any medication before taking dandelion.

Article source:

  1. Jozef Hudec, Mária Burdová, L’ubomír Kobida…; Antioxidant Capacity Changes and Phenolic Profile of Echinacea purpurea, Nettle (Urtica dioica L.), and Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) after Application of Polyamine and Phenolic Biosynthesis Regulators; (2007) https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf070777c

  2. Bevin A. Clare M.S., Richard S. Conroy Ph.D., Kevin Spelman Ph.D.; The Diuretic Effect in Human Subjects of an Extract of Taraxacum officinale Folium over a Single Day; (2009) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3155102/

  3. Alaaeldin Ahmed Hamza, Mona Gamel Mohamed, Fawzy Mohamed Lashin…; Dandelion prevents liver fibrosis, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress in rats(2020)https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342590945_Dandelion_prevents_liver_fibrosis_inflammatory_response_and_oxidative_stress_in_rats

  4. ong Wang, Bing Xue, Hui Shao…; Effect of Dandelion Extracts on the Proliferation of Ovarian Granulosa Cells and Expression of Hormone Receptors; (2018) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6048925/

  5. S.Qureshi, S.Adil, M.E.Abd El-Hack…; Beneficial uses of dandelion herb (Taraxacum officinale) in poultry nutrition (2017) https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/world-s-poultry-science-journal/article/abs/beneficial-uses-of-dandelion-herb-taraxacum-officinale-in-poultry-nutrition/F6A903E5A58872355196730444C7269D

  6. Soo-Yeul Cho, Ji-Yeun Park, Eun-Mi Park…; Alternation of hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by supplementation of dandelion water extract; (2002) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0009898101007628

  7. Mehrdad Modaresi, Narges Resalatpour; The Effect of Taraxacum officinale Hydroalcoholic Extract on Blood Cells in Mice; (2012) https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ah/2012/653412/

  8. Sophia C. Sigstedt Carla J. Hooten Manika C. Callewaert…; Evaluation of aqueous extracts of Taraxacum officinale on growth and invasion of breast and prostate cancer cells; (2008) https://www.spandidos-publications.com/ijo/32/5/1085

  9. Huanhuan Zhu, Hangyong Zhao, Linjie Zhang…; Dandelion root extract suppressed gastric cancer cells proliferation and migration through targeting lncRNA-CCAT1; (2017) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S075333221731987X

  10. Drugs.com; What other drugs will affect dandelion?; https://www.drugs.com/mtm/dandelion.html

  11. M Zhu, P Y Wong, R C Li; Effects of taraxacum mongolicum on the bioavailability and disposition of ciprofloxacin in rats; (1999) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10350500/


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