Dandelions have a reputation as both a granter of wishes and a dreaded weed and lawn nuisance. However, did you know that dandelion root is loaded with nutrients and boasts a variety of benefits to your health — just like dandelion greens and dandelion tea?
What is dandelion root good for? This plant is low in calories, yet high in fiber as well as antioxidants, vitamin K, vitamin A and vitamin C. Research even suggests it can help reduce cancer growth, lower cholesterol levels and support liver function.
In addition to being rich in many vitamins and minerals that promote a strong immune system, dandelion is also readily available, easy to add to your diet and bursting with a signature, peppery flavor.
What Is Dandelion?
Dandelions, also known as Taraxacum officinale, are a type of flowering plant native to Europe, Asia and North America.
As a member of the daisy family of plants, dandelions are related to dahlias, thistle, ragweed, lettuce, artichokes and sunflowers.
Dandelions produce many small yellow flowers, called florets, which collectively form one flower head. Once it has finished flowering, the flower head dries out, the florets drop off and a seed head is formed.
The dandelion seeds are then naturally dispersed by the wind … or those looking to score a free wish.
Dandelion Nutrients:
Although dandelion is often overlooked as just a pesky weed, it can actually be a useful addition to both your kitchen and your medicine cabinet. Many parts of the dandelion plant are edible, including the roots, leaves, seeds and flowers.
Both the root and greens are packed with health-promoting properties and can be used to make everything from dandelion tea to super-nutritious salads. Not only is this plant high in vitamins and antioxidants — such as silymarin, silibinin, curcumin, berberine and resveratrol — it also contains potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron and choline.
Historical Uses:
Just like other roots, such as burdock and ashwagandha, dandelion root also has a rich history of use in traditional medicine. In fact, the origins of dandelion as a natural remedy can be traced all the way back to 659 B.C. in ancient China. It was also used in Arabic, Welsh and European medicine and was eaten raw or made into a juice or tonic.
Traditional uses of the dandelion ranged from promoting better digestion to healing the liver. Some Native American tribes chewed on dandelion root to relieve pain, while others steamed the leaves and applied topically to ease sore throats.
Why are dandelions sometimes called “pee the beds”? In some countries, including Scotland and France, these plants earned the nickname pee-the-beds, or pissenlit in French, due to their natural diuretic effects that can cause increased urination.
Dandelion Root Benefits
What does dandelion do to your body? Here’s more about what research has shown us regarding dandelion root benefits:
1. May Help Kill Cancer Cells
A number of studies have found that dandelion root may be useful in the prevention and treatment of certain types of cancer, including liver cander, leukemia, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer and prostate cancer.
For instance, a 2011 study out of Canada treated skin cancer cells with dandelion extract and found that it started killing off cancer cells within just 48 hours of treatment.
Another study in Oncotarget showed that dandelion root extract was able to kill 95 percent of colon cancer cells within two days.
2. Can Help Reduce Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure
High cholesterol is one of the major contributors to coronary heart disease. Changing your diet is one of the easiest ways to prevent high cholesterol.
Along with limiting your intake of processed foods, including more whole foods like fruits and vegetables can help lower cholesterol.
Dandelion root has been shown to help reduce cholesterol levels.
In one study, rabbits were fed a high-cholesterol diet and supplemented with dandelion root. Dandelion led to a reduction in total cholesterol, triglycerides and bad LDL cholesterol, as well as an increase in beneficial HDL cholesterol.
Studies also suggest that dandelion may help normalize blood sugar levels and lower high blood pressure.
3. Rich in Antioxidants
Studies show that dandelion root is especially high in antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, polyphenols, coumarins and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives — which may account for its many potent health benefits since this allows it to fight free radicals.
Free radicals are compounds that form in your body as a result of things like stress, pollution and a poor diet. Over time, the accumulation of free radicals can lead to cell damage and chronic disease.
Antioxidants can help neutralize these harmful compounds and have been shown to reduce the risk of conditions like heart disease and cancer.
When applied topically, dandelion also seems to protect against skin damage caused by sun damage, aging and acne.
4. Supports Liver and Kidney Health
From filtering toxins to metabolizing drugs, the liver is essential to many aspects of health.
Dandelion root benefits your liver, helping protect it from oxidative stress and keeping it working effectively. In fact, folk medicines originating from China, India and Russia have long recognized dandelion’s effect as a liver tonic, mostly due to its anti-inflammatory effects and ability to fight oxidative stress.
One study done in Korea showed that dandelion extract prevented damage to the liver caused by alcohol toxicity in both liver cells and mice.
These protective effects are likely due to the amount of antioxidants found in dandelion root, as well as its ability to prevent cell damage.
Is dandelion good for your kidneys? In most cases, yes.
This plant is known for having natural diuretic effects, meaning it increases the frequency of urination, which can help keep the kidneys healthy.
According to Mount Sinai Medical Group, “Herbalists use dandelion root to detoxify the liver and gallbladder, and dandelion leaves to help kidney function.” For centuries, Native Americans boiled dandelion in water and took it to treat kidney disease, as well as other digestive issues like heartburn and upset stomach.
5. Supports Immune System and Fights Bacteria
In addition to its many other health benefits, dandelion root also possesses antimicrobial and antiviral properties that can help stop the growth of disease-causing bacteria and pathogens.
A study in Ireland published in Phytotherapy Research showed that dandelion root was effective against certain strains of bacteria that are responsible for staph infections and foodborne illness.
Although more research is needed, dandelion root may be a useful natural method for supporting the immune system in fighting off bacterial infections.
6. Strengthens Bones
Taraxacum officinale is a great source of vitamin K, an important nutrient that plays a key role in bone health. This essential vitamin increases levels of a specific protein needed to help build strong bones, which is exactly why lower intakes of vitamin K have been linked to an increased risk of fractures and reduced bone density.
Dandelion also contains calcium, which forms the structure of the bones and teeth to help keep them strong.
7. Promotes Skin Health
Each serving of dandelion supplies a hearty dose of antioxidants, which can protect skin cells against damage to slow signs of aging and keep you looking (and feeling) your best.
Not only that, but a 2015 in vitro study out of Canada also showed that applying extracts of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) to skin cells helped protect against harmful ultraviolet damage.
Some research also shows that dandelion could possess powerful antimicrobial properties, which can help block bacterial growth to prevent skin infections.
8. High in Fiber
Dandelion roots are a great source of fiber and are especially rich in a type of soluble fiber known as inulin.
Fiber has been associated with several health benefits, especially when it comes to regulating blood sugar levels. Because fiber moves through the body undigested, it helps slow the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream, which can help improve long-term blood sugar control.
In addition to maintaining steady blood sugar levels, fiber can also protect against a multitude of digestive issues, including constipation, stomach pains, hemorrhoids, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and stomach ulcers.
Dosage and Preparation
Products containing dandelion come in a variety of forms, including tinctures, liquid extract, teas, tablets and capsules.
Dandelions are abundant throughout backyards and grocery stores alike. While it is safe to pick dandelions from your own yard and use them, you should be sure to avoid areas where weed killer or pesticides have been sprayed and remember to wash thoroughly.
Gather the roots by digging a bit deep into the soil and pulling out all of the stems that the flowers may be attached to. Wash the roots well to make sure all dirt is removed before using.
Risks and Side Effects
What are the side effects of taking dandelion root? Dandelion is “generally recognized as safe” as a food by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For most healthy adults, adding this powerful herb to your diet is typically safe and beneficial, however there are several side effects that need to be considered as well.
For starters, dandelion may cause allergic reactions in some people when eaten or applied to the skin. If you have a sensitivity to other plants in the same family of plants, such as ragweed, daisies or thistle, you may also have a sensitivity to dandelion.
If you experience symptoms like swelling, itching or redness, you should discontinue use immediately, and talk to your health care provider.
Is dandelion root ever bad for your kidneys? Dandelion acts as a diuretic, causing your body, especially your kidneys, to produce more urine, which is the same effect that diuretic drugs have.
If you also take prescription/herbal diuretics, this may negatively affect kidney function and put you at risk for developing an electrolyte imbalance, so always follow directions, and be cautious if you already have kidney issues
Conclusion
- Dandelion, also known as Taraxacum officinale, is a type of plant that belongs to the daisy family.
- Despite being considered little more than a weed by many, dandelion packs in some impressive health benefits when it comes to supporting the digestive and immune systems.
- What can dandelion treat? While it’s not treated as a drug, as a supplement it offers protection against oxidative stress, liver disease, high cholesterol and blood pressure, high blood sugar, cancer, kidney issues, and infections.
- Dandelion root can be taken in pill or extract supplement form or used to brew a hot cup of caffeine-free coffee or tea.
