Published: 15th June 2023

Dandelion: 3 Health Benefits

Indigestion. Everyone experiences it from time to time. Perhaps you opt to suffer through the symptoms or find yourself turning to over the counter remedies. But what if there was an effective antidote that can be found in abundance in nature? So abundant that it’s hard to find a garden without it?

It’s called: dandelion.

Let’s explore how this common colorful herb – wrongly considered a pesky weed – can help your digestion and overall health.

What is dandelion?

Dandelion has been used in herbal medicine since ancient times. It’s thought to originate from the Mediterranean and was well known by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians. It’s also been an important component of Native American and traditional Chinese medicine (TMC).

Medicinally, the roots and leaves are commonly used as a digestive tonic. While the flowers are used as a soothing salve for cracked skin or sore achey joints.

Many years ago, dandelion was commonly served as a food source – all parts of the plant are edible.

This versatile herb is also nutrient rich. The flowers, leaves and roots contain impressive amounts of A,C,K, and B vitamins. They also contain minerals like potassium, iron, magnesium and zinc.

What’s more, the roots, once roasted, are often used as a coffee substitute.

 
Dandelion: 3 health benefits

What are the Health Benefits?

1) Helps Digestion

If you’re interested in giving your digestion a boost then dandelion may be worth a try. It’s a versatile bitter herb, imparting all the properties that bitter herbs do; helping the liver to detoxify. It also helps the gallbladder to release stored bile – required for healthy digestion.

Furthermore, if you take it before a meal it can help to stimulate your appetite. Conversely, when you take it after a meal it can help sooth indigestion.

It’s interesting to note that traditional bitters often contain dandelion as a key digestive herb.
 
In TMC, dandelion falls under the category of ‘herbs that clear excess heat and toxicity’ from the body. And the bitter constituents of dandelion have long been used to assist with bile flow and relieve nausea and vomiting.

2) May Fight Inflammation

Dandelion is rich in polyphenols. A group of micronutrients that act as antioxidants, which scan our bodies for free radicals and help to reduce inflammation.

Inflammation is your body’s natural response to injury or illness. It’s also a driver of many chronic health conditions (like arthritis). But dandelion has been found to significantly reduce inflammation and protect against cellular damage.

When you exercise, it may be helpful to consider drinking dandelion tea and/ or rub its salve into inflamed sore muscles post work out.

3) Immune System Support

Taking dandelion root can help to support your immune system by helping your body to fight off bacteria and pathogens. This is due to its antiviral and antimicrobial properties. Therefore, you might want to consider drinking dandelion tea during cold and flu season.

A study published in Phytotherapy Research revealed that it was effective against various strains of bacteria responsible for staph and food-borne illness.

So dandelion is an ideal addition for your all natural first aid kit.

Should I try Dandelion?

You may be keen to try dandelion for its medicinal properties. And although it may be tempting to forage and make your own home remedies, it may be wise to leave it up to a reputable herbal manufacturer to ensure the quality and potency is intact. Fortunately, you can find dandelion herbal tea, tincture and salve in most health shops.

Who Shouldn’t use Dandelion?

Before taking dandelion, it’s a good idea to speak with a health practitioner or doctor.

Dandelion should not be used if you have gall stones, kidney disease or if you are pregnant (or during breastfeeding).

Drug nutrient interactions may occur including:

  1. Lithium
  2. Blood thinners
  3. Certain antibiotics
  4. Diuretics
  5. Some heart and blood pressure medications