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There Is More Than What Meets The Eye To This Common Lawn Weed. 

 

The bitter ingredients in dandelion are extremely beneficial to the body, This flower also surpasses any vegetable in its richness of nutrients so think twice before pulling this yellow floret out of your garden! 

 

You can eat all parts of the dandelion – flowers, stems, leaves and roots. However, the root contains the most active ingredients best harvested in the fall. 

 

 

14 Benefits of Dandelion

 

1. May help loose weight

 

 One of the earliest recorded uses of dandelion tea is as a diuretic, helping the body eliminate excess body water through the kidneys and urine. Diuretics are substances that  increase the production of urine. They are also anti swelling agents. 

 

Some researchers theorize that dandelion’s ability to improve carbohydrate metabolism and reduce fat absorption may lead to weight loss. This may be due to the plant's high potassium content, which can signal the body to flush out sodium. Diuretics can be helpful for relieving fluid retention, PMS, and bloating.  

 

2. One of the most effective toxin removers

 

Dandelion root is a classic liver and blood tonic and has long been used to aid conditions like eczema, psoriasis, acne, and hives. 

 

3.  Promotes liver function

 

Dandelion has a protective effect on liver tissue in the presence of toxic substances and stress. This plant may represent a promising approach for the prevention and treatment of obesity-related nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

 

4.  Full of antioxidants

 

Every part of the dandelion plant is rich in antioxidants, which prevents free radicals from damaging cells and DNA, slowing down the aging process in our cells. It is rich in vitamin C and vitamin A as beta-carotene.

 

5. May help to treat anemia

 

The leaves of dandelion are exceptionally nutritious, with higher levels of iron, riboflavin, and vitamin E than any of our commonly cultivated greens. Because of its high iron and zinc content, it is used to support the treatment of anemia.

 

6.  May support healthy bones

 

The green parts of this plant are a good source of calcium and vitamin K — both of which are associated with the prevention of bone loss.

 

7.  May be a useful skincare treatment 

 

One research indicates that dandelion extracts, especially leaf and flower extracts, may protect against UVB damage from sunlight which may lead to photoaging. Also, with its cleansing effect, it can help against acne. 

 

8. Lowers Blood Pressure

 

Shrink your blood pressure to a healthy level with a daily drink of dandelion tea. This floral bright brew is ripe with potassium. Potassium is an awesome form of electrolytes for the body and can help the kidneys to filter toxins and improves blood flow. Most conventional diuretics reduce the amount of potassium in the body, dandelion contains so much potassium that, despite its diuretic action, it does not lower potassium levels.

 

9.  May reduce cholesterol

 

Some of the bioactive compounds in this plant may lower cholesterol, which may decrease heart disease risk.

 

10. May help to control blood sugar and type 2 diabetes

 

Chicoric and chlorogenic acid are two bioactive compounds in dandelion which may help reduce blood sugar. Most of this is done through its ability to control lipid levels and stimulate the pancreatic cells to produce more insulin when needed.

 

11. May help fight inflammation

 

Inflammation is one of your body’s natural responses to illness. However, excessive inflammation can lead to permanent damage to your body’s tissues and DNA. Studies have revealed that dandelion can be an anti-inflammatory agent.

 

12. Immune Booster

 

Dandelion extract has an antiviral and antimicrobial effect making it an antibacterial agent.

 

13. Highly nutritious

 

Dandelion is a source of fibres and vitamins A, C, K, E, folate and small amounts of other B vitamins. It provides minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium.

 

14. Promotes and Stimulates Digestion

 

Dandelion acts as a mild laxative that promotes digestion, stimulates appetite, and balances the natural and beneficial bacteria in the intestines. It can increase the release of stomach acid and bile to aid digestion, especially of fats.

 

 

Before you go picking weeds, here are some guidelines to follow:

 

Plants can absorb and bioaccumulate toxins, including heavy metals, which means that contaminated plants can have higher levels of toxins than the surrounding soil. 

 

1. Always harvest at least 30 feet from the road (and only harvest near smaller, less-traveled byways), and make sure you are not harvesting in an area with environmental toxicity or herbicides and pesticides. Even hay fields that appear to be untended can be sprayed with herbicides. 

 

2. Avoid the foundations of buildings, because these are often sprayed with pesticides and may be contaminated with lead paint scrapings (near older homes).

 

3. Railroads and power lines are typically sprayed heavily with herbicides.

 

4. If a river is polluted, then the floodplain and the plants growing in it are likely to be polluted as well.

 

If you don’t have a clean place to gather, look around for organic community gardens or your neighborhood’s organic growers and ask to harvest their weeds in exchange for some medicine or apple pie. People are usually quite happy with this type of arrangement.

 

Happy Weeding!

 

 

 

 

 

Check out some of our products below that contain Dandelion!

 

 

 

 

Weight Loss Tincture

Skin & Acne Tincture

Prenatal Tincture

Multi-Vitamin Tincture

Iron Tincture

Detox Tincture

Cleansing Tea

Prenatal Tea