Blog#52:
Dandelion Root: the Liver's Helper
Depending on
your perspective, dandelion, taraxacum
officinale, could be a weed or an herb. It
grows throughout much of the temperate world, including Europe, some of the
Middle East, China, Korea, Australia, India, Southern Africa, and much of the
Americas. The root has been used
medicinally in China, Korea and Europe for centuries, and also has been used
medicinally by Native Americans.
Dandelion leaves
and stems can be used in salads, cooked in soups and stews, or dried to make
tea, and contain more iron and calcium than spinach. They are reputed to have a diuretic effect
and to help the kidneys to detoxify the body.
Very occasionally, people are allergic to the lanolin in the stems, so
if you have a lanolin allergy, this plant is not for you. The flowers are sometimes made into wine,
usually combined with fruit, i.e. grape and dandelion wine.
By far the most
used part of the plant is the root.
Modern research on dandelion root, primarily on animals, indicates that the
root helps the liver to produce bile and detoxify the body. According to animal studies, dandelion root
appears to: protect against fatty liver, help ensure bowel regularity, help lower blood sugar, and act as an anti-inflammatory. The root also appears to sometimes help
normalize and balance the immune system.
Dandelion root
is highly respected and frequently used in Chinese herbal medicine for the
above-mentioned benefits. You may
experience a higher level of energy while using this herb, depending on your
health issues. Although this herb may
help to lower blood sugar, it also may interfere with medications used to
control diabetes, and therefore should only be used with extreme caution by
diabetics on medication, and then only under medical supervision.
As with any
herb, it is vital to obtain dandelion that is grown organically. If harvested wild, be sure that the plants
are not growing near a toxic site and that they have not been sprayed with
pesticides. Leaves, stems and roots
should be dried before using in teas and infusions. Herbs can be dried in the sun or in
dehydrators. The easier but more costly way
to obtain dried dandelion root and leaves is by purchasing them from a
reputable herbal supply company, health food store or apothecary, or from an individual
whom you trust.
As in the
previous three blogs, instructions for making infusions remains the same. Steep up to ¼ cup of dried dandelion root in
a quart of just boiled water. Cover the
glass container and let cool to room temperature, then strain. The infusion can be kept in the refrigerator
for up to two days. Since the root and
leaves are non-toxic, you can usually drink them over several days or weeks
before taking a break. Occasionally,
your pets may benefit from a small amount of the root or leaves mixed in with
their food. Your compost pile will also
appreciate the strained dried roots, leaves and stems.
This blog’s
offer: contact me with questions about
dosage or source of these herbs if you have problems obtaining them or are unsure
if they are appropriate for you.
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