Do Your Body a Favor and Detoxify With Dandelion Tea
Just about everybody knows what a dandelion is. In the western world it is a weed, but in many other societies it is an important herb that is used to treat many common diseases and conditions of the human body.
It is also a food, being used in salads and the roots are also used by some as a coffee substitute the same as chicory. It is also used to make a herbal tea, and most people have likely heard of dandelion tea. However, its medicinal properties are not so well known, even though it has been use for hundreds, if not thousands, of years for the treatment of many conditions including those associated with the gall bladder, liver and kidneys.
However, that is not all, and there are several more traditional uses of dandelion in the folk medicine of many different countries including conditions as diverse as water retention and eczema. So, taking all of this into consideration, what exactly are the main benefits of dandelion to the body and what is it that provides these benefits?
Dandelion contains its fair share of minerals and vitamins, and is rich in vitamin C of course, with its strong antioxidant properties. It also contains the antioxidant vitamin A together with several B vitamins and the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D, which is so important for the absorption of calcium by the kidneys and into the bone structure. The minerals it contains is like an encyclopedia entry of minerals important to the human body. It’s not so much what minerals dandelion contains, as what it doesn’t contain.
The list includes phosphorus, iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, silicon, manganese and boron, and the organic nutrients include lecithin, carotenoids, terpenoids, tannins, sterols, choline, inulin, aspargine and so on. It would take a whole book to describe the health benefits of each of these, but an attempt will be made later to discuss the more important of them.
Suffice it to say that the list contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and substances that help to reduce blood cholesterol levels and also maintain the health of your blood and major organs. However, the effect of dandelion on the liver and the digestive system are due largely to substances known collectively as taraxacin. That is what gives dandelion its bitter taste.
What was once known as taraxin, is now known to consist of sesquiterpene lactones known as eudesmanolide and germacranolide, which although claimed to be unique to the dandelion, are very similar to other sesquiterpenes found in chicory. In fact, dicaffeolquinic acid and chicoric acid (dicaffeoyltartaric acid) have been found to comprise a significant proportion of the extract from dandelion roots, together with a number of phenolic acids and flavanoids. Each of these, of course, is important and effective antioxidants, responsible for many positive health effects in the body.
Among the more important of these is the stimulation of the circulation of the blood throughout the body. The sesquiterpenes are also believed to support the activity of the pancreas, and the presence of so many strong antioxidant species within the leaves and roots of the dandelion explains the traditional use of dandelion for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Antioxidants support the immune system that causes inflammation when it is under stress. Studies of rats have indicated that dandelion is effective in reducing acute pancreatis, which is itself an inflammatory condition. The large querticin glycoside and flavanoid content of dandelion root extract posses anti-inflammatory properties, and suddenly dandelion is beginning to take on the appearance of a ‘wonder plant’.
However, let’s get away from the technical stuff for a while, and check out exactly what you can use dandelion for. Pregnant and post-menopausal women can gain the benefit of all these nutrients detailed above by taking dandelion extract, and it also has a diuretic effect. Although mild, this can help to remove excess water from the body, and helps to reduce blood pressure and the effects of heart problems. LDL cholesterol levels can be reduced by virtue of its anti-oxidant properties, and can help to resolve minor digestive complaints.
Traditionally it is claimed to have been used as a laxative and a cure for rheumatism. The latter can be explained by its antioxidant effects, and the way the sesquiterpenes reduce the inflammation associated with rheumatism. It is this inflammation of the tissues that causes so much of the swelling and pain of rheumatism and arthritis. Anti-inflammatories help to reduce this effect.
Dandelion is also believed to stimulate the flow of bile from the gall bladder to the duodenum, and help promote the digestion of fats and oils, thus alleviating many of the digestive problems associated with a fatty diet. This also appears to have the effect of stimulating the appetite, and dandelion juice is frequently drunk before a meal for these reasons. It is believed to help bladder and kidney stones, and also helps to alleviate infections of the urinary tract.
Although dandelion is normally safe to take, those with problems associated with the bile ducts should not take it, and if you are already on diuretic drugs, or any medicines designed to lower your blood pressure, you should stay clear of dandelion extract. The same is true if you are taking lithium for manic depression since some of the components of dandelion juice can exaggerate the side effects. It is also recommended that diabetics do not use dandelion extract, and neither should anyone on blood thinning drugs such as Coumadin, or any other form of warfarin.
Although dandelion can be a very effective natural remedy for many conditions, you should always refer to your physician before taking it, since it could interfere with any medications you are currently taking. Your doctor might also be aware of certain medical conditions you have that, while you are not being treated for, could deteriorate in the presence of one of the constituents of dandelion extract.
Although all of this could suggest that dandelion is dangerous to take, in fact what it indicates is that it is very effective against many conditions, and that taking it could lead to the effects of an overdose of the treatment you are already on. Had it not so many contra-indications, dandelion wouldn’t be as effective at doing what it does.
About the Author More information on dandelion root tea is available at VitaNet ®, LLC Health Food Store, vitanetonine.com.
November 1st, 2008 at 6:36 pm
i have had my gall bladder removed , is still okay to drink dandelion tea. as i could never see myself giving it up .
May 11th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Dear Ange,
Thank you for writing! First, I apologize profusely for not replying promptly. I appreciate you and your question and would like to respond.
Any dandelion root beverage is good for you! Dandelions are food. My 81-year-old mother had her gall bladder removed about 30 years ago. She’s very healthy. Dandelions in any form agree with her completely.
Just for you to be sure, you can start slowly, say a half a cup or a cup day, and go from there to drink as much you want that agrees with you.
Anybody else out there who would like to comment? Thanks!
Sincerely yours,
Ruth
May 12th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
How often can you drink dandelion tea?I like to use it as a coffee substitute. Thank you, Rita
May 12th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Hi, Rita! Thank you for writing! I appreciate your question.
How often can you drink dandelion tea? Dandelion, a diuretic, increases the quantity of urine the body expels by promoting the excretion of salts & water (not increasing blood flow to the kidneys like caffeine) and is the only known naturally occurring potassium-sparing diuretic. Dandelion is also a super potassium source (containing more than bananas do). As a culinary plant, the fourth most nutritious on earth, dandelion is an exceptionally rich plant source of vitamin A, containing twenty-five times as much as tomato juice; only cod liver oil and beef liver have more. A healing herb, dandelion has, ounce for ounce, more calcium than milk. People can drink as much dandelion tea as they like! I do!
I have dug the roots, roasted them until they were dry, chocolaty brown and crumbly, and ground them in a coffee grinder. I enjoy the coffee-like taste. A dandelion beverage makes a great coffee substitute, homemade or store-bought. Usually every day, I make dandelion tea of some sort. I especially like using the whole plant. It is very versatile.
In addition to enjoying drinking dandelion tea, I enjoy eating dandelions. Daily! (I bought $50 worth of dandelion seeds and planted them. Rabbits and deer harvested most of the seedlings! This evening, as usual, we had a half dozen deer in the backyard along with the rabbits—we live next to a greenway. So I have learned to share, like by planting dandelions between a patch of thyme and rosemary. The animals seem to avoid grazing near fragrant herbs if I plant it other places around the backyard where they prefer to eat it.) I would love to hear back from you, Rita, how you find dandelion tea as a coffee substitute!
Sincerely yours,
Ruth
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:54 pm
I was wondering if I take dandelion root, if it will hurt to also take cod liver oil or other omega 3 type supplements? Please let me know. I have started it just today. Am very excited. Also I see where it says dibetics shouldn’t use it. Do you know why this is?
June 24th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Hi, Jackie! Thank you for writing! I am so glad to hear from you!
That is a good question, about taking a natural, nutritional supplement with a natural, nutritional food–which is what dandelions are–and the answer:
YES!!! My husband and I both have been taking fish oil and we also have been increasing our omega-3 intake. We bought golden purslane seeds and eat the plants, which are exceptionally high in omega-3 fatty acids.
So, not only does is not hurt, it helps! Goodness on top of goodness!!!
I’m going to research the diabetics part, as I don’t know off hand. Does anybody know? Thanks!
Sincerely yours,
Ruth
June 24th, 2009 at 9:00 am
I just started Dandelion root in the capsule yesterday. When I woke today I could tell a difference in myself. That bloat I have been having in my tummy area for near 3 weeks is going down remarkably. I am thankful!!!!! Also, the pain when urinating seems to be lessening. I can NOT believe it.!!!!!.. The product I got from a local herb shop and a Dr. is called Natures Sunshine. He told me it is the best of the best and that it is completely organic and can not only be taken by capsule but you can break it open and make tea or scatter it on salad or food anything!! I was in SHOCK! I can already feel it though it seems odd. Also I have researched this like I said for days.
Am pleased to the 10th power!!!!! Also, I ran across this incredible story on the net in my searching that I wanted to share. Here is the link ….. (www.rense.com/general74/DANDI.HTM)
WOW! God’s given gift of life and we look over it like a common weed that has no meaning! Glory be to the angels! Wishing you Love love love love! Jackie
June 24th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Thank you, Jackie! How wonderful to hear from you with such great news! And I love the George Cairns article that you gave the link for, about the use of dandelion that made his cancer go away, and the person whose immune system working again from using dandelion! Thank you again, Jackie! Write us again any time! We’ll always love to hear from you! Ruth
October 15th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
My uncle had prostate cancer back in Jamaica and his medical doctor who is a friend of my uncle, told him to go get him self some dandelion and take every day and that will take the cancer away, he did and now my uncle is cancer free. Thanks to dandelion.
August 13th, 2010 at 1:45 am
i just started taking dandelion root caps. and i was wondering if i use it as a tea will it remove toxins from the body such as steet drugs and i have noticed a change in the bloating in my stomach and have been taking it for the first time today. i will much appreciated for your response to this question. thank you kindly!
August 13th, 2010 at 11:55 am
Martha, Thanks for commenting!
We haven’t heard of using dandelion capsules as a tea. Has anyone else? We would love to hear from you! Although I do not know from personal experience, I am familiar with the concept that dandelion, in any form, is famous for removing toxins. Ruth