They're Healthy Adding dandelion greens to your diet can have several health benefits because they're low in calories and loaded with vitamins and nutrients. Two of those nutrients, lutein, and zeaxanthin, play a role in healthy eyesight.
When taken by mouth: Dandelion is likely safe for most people when consumed in the amounts commonly found in food. It is possibly safe when taken in larger amounts. Dandelion might cause allergic reactions, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, or heartburn in some people.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale ) is sometimes used to help the body remove excess water. Dandelion has also been studied for its antibacterial, antifungal, and immune boosting activity, as well as its use for arthritis, liver disease, diabetes, colitis, prostate cancer, and obesity.
Dandelion greens are also edible. The best time to harvest the leaves is when they are still young and tender, before the plant begins to flower. Tender leaves taste great when chopped fresh into salad. As the leaves grow older they become increasingly bitter.
Do not use dandelion if you are taking a blood thinner, such as warfarin. You should also avoid dandelion if you have gallbladder problems, have diabetes or are taking medicine to control blood sugar levels, or are taking a diuretic.
Supports liver health
Moreover, a 2017 study found that a carbohydrate present in dandelions called polysaccharides may indeed help protect the liver against disease and support overall liver function.
The polysaccharides in dandelion are known to reduce stress on the liver and support its ability to produce bile. They also help your liver filter potentially harmful chemicals out of your food.
The dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is an abundant “weed” plant that also happens to be edible. In fact, nearly the entire plant can be consumed in one way or another. The only inedible part is the stem, which contains a very bitter, milky substance.
Dandelions Break Ground
“They are among the first weeds to colonize disturbed land where other plants won't grow. Their strong roots can break through the toughest soil and you will often find them growing through concrete,” a fact that frustrates lawn purists, because they absolutely flourish with soil and sun.
The dandelion is edible from top to bottom, including the roots. What is this? They were not only sought after as a food and medicinal source, but as a way to attract bees and other insects to help pollinate crops as well. And those reasons are still valid and extremely important today.
According to Keene, many people drink dandelion tea daily (with some drinking it up to four times per day). “[Drinking dandelion tea] any time of day is completely fine because it is caffeine-free, but there are two times of the day I would recommend not having it,” instructs Ross.
Dandelion leaves are also believed to have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system due to their high potassium content (397 mg potassium/100 g) [19,23]; indeed, increased potassium intake with food (about 3500 mg/day for an adult) has been found to lower blood pressure [23].
The dandelion root increases liver function, which flushes toxins and excess water from the belly area and in turn gives you a flatter tummy. Just 2-4 cups a day does the trick.
Dandelion is known to be a mild sedative, and therefore can have a very calming effect on the body and mind (3). As mentioned above, Dandelions are also loaded with important trace nutrients such as vitamin A, C, K, and magnesium – all of which can be very supportive for keeping anxiety levels at bay.
Considering how deep their taproots get, it is best to control them before they go to seed.. The cause of dandelions in your yard can depend on several factors, such as extended warm periods, excess moisture in the soil, and sunny days, that encourage growth and germination of these weeds.
The dandelion seed head will come out almost completely unscathed and…completely dry! Why not try this little experiment for yourself? It's really easy to do and great to do with children. All you need is a glass of water and a dandelion that has gone to seed - also called a dandelion clock.
Dandelions are edible weeds. Every part of the dandelion is edible: the flower, roots, stems, and leaves. Dandelion greens slightly resemble arugula, though longer, and have a similar spicy and bitter taste.
If you rub a dandelion under your chin and your skin turns yellow, you like butter -- at least according to an old wives tale found in cultures worldwide. Blow away the dandelion seeds and you can tell the future by counting how many seeds are left, according to other superstitions.
Yes, the entire aerial portion is edible, including Dandelion's leaves, stalks, and buds, though if you really want to ingest more local nutrition and medicine from your landscape, eat the yellow flower. It may be the healthiest part of the plant.
The diuretic and detoxing nature of dandelion helps to regulate hormones facilitating removal of toxins through sweat, bile and urine. One cup of dandelion greens has 1.7 mg of iron, almost 10 percent of your daily vitamin B, 32 percent of your daily vitamin C, plus omega-3 fatty acids and protein.
Taraxacum official (dandelion) leaf extract alleviates high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver.
Dandelion root has been shown to stimulate bile production, which supports the liver's detoxification process. It helps the liver “flush out” estrogen and other steroid hormones and their byproducts so that they are removed from the body normally through excretion (bowel movements).
While dandelion is not traditionally known as a sleep-inducing food, we have found using the liver-cleansing properties of dandelion to be a valuable aid in helping sleep. A healthy liver will balance blood sugar.
What Drink Burns Fat Overnight? Drinking turmeric milk, chamomile tea, cinnamon tea, green tea, protein shake, green veg smoothies, and fiber-rich juice helps you burn significant fat overnight.
Plus, dandelion is a diuretic, which can throw off your body's water balance—and increase your need for bathroom breaks. If you opt for the tea, Brown suggests starting with one cup in the morning and then, if desired, going to two to three cups a day over the next couple of weeks.