We all know what dandelions are. They grow in just about any location so long as there is grass and sun. What you may not know about them is just how healthy they are to us and all the other plants around them. You can even infuse them into your tea and see a reduction in a number of different symptoms.
In this article, we’ll look at the history of dandelions and their use, as well as the truth behind their healthy benefits, inside and outside the tea kettle.
What You Should Know About Dandelion Root
It should be noted that although the dandelion plant offers a wide number of health benefits, there is always a risk that must be taken into account before consumption.
Anyone can be allergic to just about anything. Even if it appears safe, variants like body weight, metabolism, and even age can change the effects of certain medications, supplements, or herbal remedies made from dandelion products. However, the same is true for any other form of medicine or food.
Anyone with a history of allergies to daisies, marigolds, ragweed, or chrysanthemums may need to avoid dandelions. Consulting your health care provider prior to using any dandelion-based products could always be a wise decision in order to avoid an allergic reaction.
The plant is usually considered to be safe but you can experience symptoms of heartburn or irritation, or if you are allergic, you may notice rashes and bouts of watery eyes.
Pregnant women should avoid the use of pretty much any herbal remedy since they may appear to be a safe alternative to traditional medicine. In reality, they can have adverse side effects when paired with other medication and prove harmful to the child.
Dandelion History
Most people in the world will recognize these small, humble, yellow plants of the field. They grow in just about every corner of the world so long as the environment is suitable and sunny. Most grassy fields and farms are bound to attract dandelions since these plants are already durable survivors in some of the worst conditions.
During the day, the flower-head is open and accepting of the sun, but when night falls, it closes up to protect itself. During the winter, the plant drops all of its nutrients down to the base of its root for protection.
The dandelion is native to Eurasia, but it’s easily made its way to parts of America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Some of its growth in these other regions is due to its importation for medical purposes. It’s been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, initially by the Greeks, which is how it received its true name: Taraxacum.
Most people find Dandelion more appealing, though. Its nickname stems from the French description, “dent de lion,” which means “tooth of the lion,” which is a pretty accurate depiction of a single, yellow, almost fang-like pedal from the dandelion’s flower.
Dandelion’s Benefits in the Garden
Technically, although this plant has a charming yellow flower head, it is not a flower but a weed. However, this weed is special; a subcategory of weed called a perennial, which is more healthy than harmful to surrounding crops and grass.
The dandelion has strong roots that grow well beyond the little flowering portion that we like to pick. For those looking to permanently remove the dandelion, these roots can be troublesome with the rapidity that the plant grows and spreads.
Although the dandelion may start to clutter the aesthetic of a purely green lawn, it’s actually a better idea to leave them be. The dandelion isn’t a parasitic type of weed, stealing nutrients from other plants. In fact, it frequently accompanies grass, crops, and fruit trees to provide a more symbiotic relationship, making it a sure friend to farmers.
The strong roots of the dandelion break up the soil quickly, making it easier for sun and water to get through to other plants’ roots, and the rest of the plant helps attract more pollinators to the area, which benefits all plants.
Dandelion roots also soak up nutrients and vitamins in large amounts, and they share the nutrients with nearby plants, especially calcium and potassium. This helps fruit grow faster, grass grow taller, and crops bear more yield.
The only reason you would want it gone from your lawn is because of personal aesthetic preferences. All of these nutrients that the dandelions are able to collect are what bring us to the benefits of drinking them with our tea.
What’s Healthy About Dandelion Tea
There are actually a few different ways you can consume dandelion extracts, dandelion leaves, or dandelion roots. The petals are included in some dandelion wine recipes, and the leaves are easily eaten and utilized similarly to spinach.
They can also be mixed in with our coffee for a healthy boost or even in beer to enhance the flavor. The healthiest way to take dandelion tea is to mix it with hot water.
Calcium and potassium are some of the richest sources of vitamins found in dandelions, thanks to their absorbent roots. Mixing dandelion root extract into your tea can help provoke a number of healthy benefits. Potassium, in particular, is vital for healthy blood.
In fact, taking doses of dandelion root tea can prove to help your blood in several ways.
Firstly, dandelion root has been proven to lower blood sugar levels and even aid in insulin tolerance, making dandelion root a handy tool for those at risk for diabetes. It also helps regulate the levels of cholesterol in the blood, decreasing the risk of certain diseases and keeping the heart healthy and safe.
The liver is another beneficiary of dandelion root. By protecting the liver’s functions, the whole body will thrive due to well-filtered and detoxified blood.
Lastly, it also lowers blood pressure by filling your body with a good amount of electrolytes that regulate blood flow and help the kidneys function properly. With good kidneys come other benefits, such as decreased bloating due to regulated urination and potential protection against urinary tract infections.
The Takeaway
Dandelion roots and dandelion leaf extract have also been proven to provide plenty of antioxidant properties, which tend to help the body combat free radicals. They help eliminate diseases, protect the body, and help it flourish.
For example, you’ll find dandelion-based skin products anywhere since these antioxidants have proven to aid in protection against the sun, eczema, and acne. The antioxidants serve the body by fighting off redness and swelling, which can, in turn, protect against various diseases. Dandelion root could also help provide a natural aid towards weight loss by helping to maintain the amount of water the body stores.
By simply drinking dandelion tea, you could be providing yourself with a natural boost to one of your body’s most important systems: the immune system. The immune system is heavily affected by dandelion root by providing both antimicrobial and antiviral antibodies, which support and prevent viruses and infection from spreading through the body.
Viruses and ailments such as the common cold or the flu are thus fought off easier thanks to the dandelion root. It can even go so far as to help prevent cancer cells from forming in the first place, possibly directly by killing the cells right away, but definitely by supporting the immune system.
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Sources:
Feature Plant Friday: Rediscovering the Dandelion | PlantingSeeds
Dandelion Tea Benefits: 15 Shocking Scientific Reasons To Love It | My Tea Drop
Dandelion Root Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects | Very Well Health
