3 Health Benefits of Dandelion Root
Support your health naturally with dandelion root. Here are a few health benefits this interesting “weed” may offer…
Most people think of dandelions as weeds, or at best, a source of food for wild pollinators, but did you know that the humble dandelion actually has a number of health benefits? In fact, the scientific name (Taraxacum officinale) can be roughly translated as “the official cure for every disorder!”
Every part of the dandelion plant – from roots to leaves and flowers – is edible and has potential health benefits to offer. Dandelions are rich in potassium, magnesium phosphorus, copper, calcium, iron, fiber, and other minerals, as well as protein, essential amino acids, and a whole alphabet of vitamins. According to this article, dandelions “have more vitamin A than any other green plant—six times more than carrots—and a single cup of fresh greens will meet your daily requirement of beta-carotene, iron, calcium, and potassium!9)”
Dandelions can be used as a digestive aid, a diuretic, a cancer-fighter, and to reduce fevers, detoxify and cleanse the body, and support healthy gut bacteria, among other uses.
One of the most popular ways to use dandelion is by consuming the root. Dandelion root supplements may be found in health food stores, and there are many recipes online for consuming dandelion root as a coffee substitute, or in teas or other beverages.
Here are just a few of the known health benefits of dandelion root:
Bile Production
Dandelion root helps increase bile production which can boost your immune system by removing toxins from your system. This can also help individuals who have indigestion, heartburn, or ulcers due to a lack of bile production. Although dandelion root can help with this, remember that you will still need to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle to keep your bile levels and production at an optimum level.
Liver Assistance
One of the processes your liver handles is the removal and reduction of free radicals from your system. Dandelion root supplements work to assist the liver with this task. It can also help with acetaminophen toxicity levels. If you take acetaminophen during cold and flu season or in allergy medicines during allergy season, it is important to be aware that this can trigger toxicity levels and cause issues for your liver. Especially during these times of the year, you may want to consider adding dandelion root to your supplements, or simply take the supplement whenever you take acetaminophen.
Heart & Cardiovascular Issues
If you are concerned about cholesterol, high blood pressure, or related heart issues then dandelion root may help. Studies have shown that the root (and leaves) may work as a diuretic to help with high blood pressure by increasing urination and decreasing water retention in the body. The root can also help control the levels of cholesterol in your system that may lead to heart disease. This is done by raising the body’s HDL. Regulating blood pressure is another benefit that studies have shown dandelion root may assist with.*
These are only three of the benefits to using dandelion root as a supplement in your diet. Remember, you can use the root, the leaves, or a mixture of both in a powder form. Liquid forms of the root supplement are also available from most organic and health food stores.
This post is for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as medical advice. Be sure to consult a qualified healthcare practitioner or herbalist before taking dandelion root or any other supplement – especially if you have underlying health conditions or are currently taking any medications.
