Dandelion

Dandelion

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a herb known for its medicinal properties. It is also known by some other names like Snowball, dudal, Cochet, Cankerwort, Swine Snout, Lion’s tooth, pissenlit etc. Various species of dandelion are found in temperate regions of Asia, Europe and North America. This perennial herb have shiny, spatula like leaves, which transport rain water to roots. Dandelion is mostly known as a backyard weed, but it is actually jam-packed with beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin K, fiber, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.

Benefits of Dandelion

This backyard superfood boasts a wide array of proven health benefits, including:

Cancer Prevention

A 2011 study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that dandelion has anti-cancer properties.[1] According to the study, dandelion root extract was able to induce programmed cell death (apoptosis) in human skin cancer cells without harming noncancerous cells. This cancer-fighting ability of dandelion is much safer than chemotherapeutic drugs because chemo drugs kill all rapidly dividing cells including normal cells.

Body Detoxification

One pilot study investigated the effects of high-quality fresh leaf dandelion extract on urinary frequency.[2] After 5 hours of ingestion, there was an increase in the frequency of urination observed among volunteers. There was also a significant increase in the excretion ratio after the second dose of dandelion extract. By increasing the frequency and volume of urination, dandelion can also help increase the excretion of certain toxic substances from the body.

Stronger Skeletal Frame

Aside from calcium, dandelion is also jam-packed with vitamin K, which is beneficial in bone health. There is increasing evidence that vitamin K can help maintain strong skeletal frame and reduce the risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women who are at risk for decreased bone mineral density.[3]

Protection Against Infection

Urinary tract infection is commonly experienced by women of all ages. Interestingly, a 2006 study published in the Journal of Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety suggests that dandelion root can significantly reduce the recurrence rate of urinary tract infections in women.[4]

Anti-Inflammatory

Scientific studies report anti-inflammatory activities of dandelion.[5] For instance, a 2016 study published in Oncotarget found that dandelion was able to suppress inflammation in human colorectal cancer cells (HT-29) by reducing cyclooxygenase (COX) production, suggesting that this extract has potent anti-inflammatory property.[6]

Weight Loss and Improved Cholesterol Profile

Strong scientific studies suggest that bitter herbs such as dandelion root, whether taken as liquids or teas, can help lose weight.[7-10] According to these studies, dandelion root stimulates gastric sections and promotes fat and cholesterol breakdown, resulting in better body composition and lower cholesterol levels.

Improved Blood Sugar Levels

Taking dandelion leaves and roots can be beneficial in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in Nutrition and Food Science.[11] Researchers observed that diabetics who took dandelion leaf and root extracts had lower blood sugar levels compared to baseline. This blood sugar-lowering effect of dandelion can help stabilize the sudden spikes in blood sugar levels among diabetics.

References:

1. Chatterjee SJ, Ovadje P, Mousa M, Hamm C, Pandey S. The Efficacy of Dandelion Root Extract in Inducing Apoptosis in Drug-Resistant Human Melanoma Cells. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM. 2011;2011:129045. doi:10.1155/2011/129045.
2. Clare BA, Conroy RS, Spelman K. The Diuretic Effect in Human Subjects of an Extract of Taraxacum officinale Folium over a Single Day. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2009;15(8):929-934. doi:10.1089/acm.2008.0152.
3. Adams J, Pepping J. Vitamin K in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis and arterial calcification. American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. 2005; 62(15):1574-81.
4. Zaffani S, Cuzzolin L, Benoni G. Herbal products: behaviors and beliefs among Italian women. Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety. 2006; 15(5):354-9.
5. Yarnell E, Abascal K. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale and T mongolicum) Integrative Medicine. 2009.
6. Ovadje P, Ammar S, Guerrero J-A, Arnason JT, Pandey S. Dandelion root extract affects colorectal cancer proliferation and survival through the activation of multiple death signalling pathways. Oncotarget. 2016;7(45):73080-73100. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.11485.
7. Koithan M, Niemeyer K. Using Herbal Remedies to Maintain Optimal Weight. The journal for nurse practitioners : JNP. 2010;6(2):153-154. doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2009.12.005.
8. Nahin RL, Barnes PM, Stussman BA, Bloom B. Costs of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and frequency of visits to CAM practitioners: United States, 2007. Natl Health Stat Rep. 2009;18:1–15.
9. Hoffmann D. Medical herbalism. Healing Arts Press; Rochester, VT: 2003. pp. 483–521.
10. Ganora L. Herbal constituent. Herbalchem Press; Louisville, CO: 2009. p. 65.p. 102.
11. Ishawu Iddrisu, Ibok Oduro, Marina Aferiba Tandoh, Reginald Adjetey Annan, (2015) “Anti-diabetic effect of dandelion leaves and roots in type two diabetic patients: A systematic review”, Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 45 Issue: 3, pp.479-492, https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-01-2015-0001.