Post by marie zymbotica on Jul 7, 2007 18:12:27 GMT -5
searcher625 said:
HEALTH BENEFITS OF DANDELIONDandelion is a common meadow herb of the Asteraceae or sunflower family, closely related to chicory. There are about 100 species. Its name is a corruption of the French "dents de lion", meaning "teeth of the lion."
Folk names include lion's tooth, bitterwort, wild endive, priest's crown, doonheadclock, piss-a-bed, Irish daisy, blow ball, yellow gowan, puffball, clock flower, swine snout, Pu gong ying, fortune-teller, and cankerwort.
The generic name derives from the Greek words taraxos, meaning disorder, and akos, meaning remedy. The designation officinale indicates that Dandelion was officially listed as a medicinal.
The Dandelion grows to a height of about 12 inches in temperate lands. Traditionally, dandelion has been used to cure breast illnesses, bloating, disorders of the gastrointestinal system, aching joints, and skin conditions. The leaves have large amounts of numerous vitamins, including A, C, D, and B-complexes, as well as minerals like iron, magnesium, zinc potassium, manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon.
For many people, dandelions are simply a yard pest. However, dandelions are very rich in nutrients. Traditionally, the roots and leaves of the plant have been used as medicines for breast maladies, bloating, digestive disorders, aching joints, fevers, and skin disorders. The leaves of the plant are very rich in vitamins, including A, C, D, and B-complex. They also have high levels of minerals like iron, magnesium, zinc potassium, manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon. The most active ingredient in dandelions, eudesmanolide and germacranolide, are found only in dandelions.
Dandelion Uses and Health Benefits
The leaves of the plant are very nutrient-rich, and so they make good supplements for women who are pregnant or elderly women.
Dandelion can also be used as a gentle diuretic and can decrease serum cholesterol in some people.
The root can be an appetite stimulant and it can treat some digestive disorders.
Today, many herbal doctors use dandelion to purify the liver and gallbladder of toxins. Research indicates that dandelions can treat pneumonia, bronchitis, and other respiratory disorders. Dandelion can improve general health, and is beneficial to the kidneys, pancreas, spleen, stomach, and other organs.
Dandelion is also recommended for the treatment of tinnitus, tonsillitis, osteoporosis, abscesses, anemia, boils, mammary tumors, cirrhosis, water retention, hepatitis, jaundice, rheumatism, and warts.
Dandelion may also be effective in eliminating or averting age spots. Some people also use toasted dandelion root as a healthier alternative to coffee.
Dandelion Benefits also include:
It is a gentle diuretic. It can purify the bloodstream and liver, and it can stimulate the manufacture of bile. It can decrease the amounts of serum cholesterol and uric acid. It can maximize the performance of the kidneys, pancreas, spleen, and stomach. It is very beneficial to menopausal women. It is effective in treating abscesses, anemia, boils, breast tumors, and cirrhosis of the liver. It may avert the development of age spots or breast cancer.
Dandelion Nutritional Content
Lactupicrine, a bitter principle, tannin, inulin and a latexlike substance, polysaccharides, carotene
Collection
The roots are best collected between June and August when they are at their most bitter. Dig up in wet weather. Avoid breaking the roots. Shake off as much of the earth as possible and clean the roots. Cut off the crowns of leaves, but take care not to leave any scales on the top. Do not cut or slice the roots or the valuable milky juice on which their medicinal value depends will be wasted by bleeding.
It is best to harvest fresh young Dandelion leaves in the spring. The small, young leaves are less bitter, and may be eaten uncooked in salads. Larger leaves can be lightly steamed to reduce bitterness.
Preparations
Dandelion leaf has been used for centuries in Europe as a spring tonic (a medicine that invigorates and strengthens all systems) to help to purify the body after a long winter of rich foods and little exercise.
The bitter taste of the leaves stimulates bile flow, which enhances liver function. Dandelion leaf is one of the richest natural sources of beta-carotene, and contains more iron and calcium than spinach.
To make a tea from Dandelion leaves, pour boiling water over two teaspoons of dried Dandelion leaves (or four teaspoons of freshly chopped) and steep for ten minutes. Strain, and drink three to four cups daily as needed. While Dandelion leaf tea is extremely safe, it's always a good idea to increase your intake of potassium-rich foods such as apples, bananas, carrots, oranges, and potatoes when using a diuretic.
As a general tonic and to stimulate digestion, 3-5 grams of the dried root, 5-10ml of a root tincture, or 20-30 drops of a fluid extract can be used three times per day. Some herbalists recommend the alcohol-based tincture or fluid extract because the bitter principles are more soluble in alcohol.
As a mild diuretic or appetite stimulant, 4-10 grams of dried leaves can be added to 1 cup of boiling water and taken as a decoction. 5-10ml of fresh juice from the leaves or 2-5ml of tincture made from the leaves can be used three times per day. The fresh juice is the most effective.
The dried Dandelion leaves are also used in many digestive or diet drinks and herb beers. Dandelion Beer is a fermented drink common in many parts of the UK and Canada.
Cautions
Dandelion is a safe and nutritious herb widely used throughout the world. No health hazards have been reported when Dandelion is used in designated therapeutic doses.
No interactions have been reported between Dandelion and standard medications.
Because Dandelion acts as a cholagogue, which means that it increases the flow of bile, people with closure of the biliary ducts and other biliary ailments should not use it.
In cases of stomach ulcer or gastritis, Dandelion should be used cautiously, as it may cause overproduction of stomach acid. Use in small doses, and take advice from a practitioner if you are using any other medication or suffer from any chronic conditions. Seek medical advice during pregnancy.
Those experiencing fluid or water retention should consult a practitioner before taking Dandelion leaves. People taking the leaves should be sure that their practitioner monitors potassium levels.
The milky latex in the stem and leaves of fresh Dandelion may cause an allergic rash in some individuals.
Be sure to harvest only unsprayed Dandelions and consult a good plant identification book if you have any doubts as to what Dandelions look like.