A dandelion root is much more than an irritating weed in your grass or garden. The first recorded use of dandelion for medicinal purposes is from the Arabians around 900 AD. However, it is believed the Chinese were using dandelions long before that. Dandelion is believed to be one of the original bitter herbs used for Passover in the Bible. There are records of the Welsh using it in the 13th century.
The pilgrims brought it to North America. In 1620, when the Mayflower arrived, there were no dandelions in America. By 1671, they were growing abundantly all over what is now the United States.
Today, the dandelion has both medical and culinary uses. Dandelion greens are one of the most nutritious greens available. One cup of raw dandelion greens has:
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- 112% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A
- 535% RDA of vitamin K
- 32% RDA of vitamin C
- 103 mg of calcium
- 1.7 mg of iron
- 218 mg of potassium.
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Real Benefits of the Dandelion Herb
Dandelion herb has been associated with improving liver function and liver diseases such as hepatitis and jaundice.
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It is a strong diuretic that does not deplete potassium in the body. It has been shown to improve both constipation and diarrhea. It purifies the blood, cleanses the digestive system, removes heavy metals from body tissues, and can help dissolve kidney stones.
It has been shown to help weight loss, cure acne, lower high blood pressure, cure anemia, lower serum cholesterol levels, reduce acid indigestion and gas, improve some cancers, and help control diabetes all with no negative side effects.
The dandelion herb is full of so many vitamins, minerals and micronutrients that alone might be the reasonit is so beneficial in so many different areas.
Liver Cleanse - The sodium in dandelions helps reduce the inflammation of the liver.
Cancer - Vitamin A helps fight cancers in the mouth and the lungs.
Blood Pressure - Potassium, along with magnesium and calcium, has been shown to help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke.
Cholesterol - The fiber in dandelions lowers cholesterol, is beneficial to diabetes, and fights cancer and heart disease.
Stress - B vitamins lower the effects of stress.
Weight Loss - They are also a good source of beta-carotene, lutein, vitamin H, which has been proven to help weight loss. According to Bodybuilding.com, subjects lost 30% of their body weight in 30 days by taking a dandelion extract with their food.
Dandelion greens add color and texture to salads, stir-fry, and soups. The greens are the leaves.
It is best to harvest them in early spring, well before the last frost is expected.
They need to be gathered before the flowers bloom or they will be bitter. The best time is when the leaves have just emerged.
The root is also used for culinary purposes. It can be added to soups or ground up and roasted to make a drink similar to coffee without the negative side effects.
The root of the dandelion is full of vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients, including inulin, which is helpful in controlling diabetes.
Drinking dandelion coffee helps stimulate the digestive system. It is best to harvest the roots in early spring or late fall when most of the nutrients are stored there. The flowers are used for making dandelion wine and dandelion fritters. They are good for the antioxidant luteolin, which is found in them.
