Dandelion is a flowering herb from the daisy family. It is often considered a weed due to its easy-to-grow and hardy nature. Despite its ‘’weed’’ repertoire, dandelion has for many years been used in folk medicine and has the potential to provide numerous health benefits of dandelion tea.
The herb can be eaten whole as a vegetable or made into tea. Dandelion tea can be made in two different ways. The leaves can be infused in hot water to extract the nutrients, or the roots can be roasted and brewed into tea. Dandelion tea is most commonly used as a detox tea and is available at almost all grocery stores in the United States. There are also many other types of nutraceutical products that have dandelion in them.
Dandelion tea is jam-packed with nutrients and minerals that make it a viable health supplement. In some Asian and European cultures, dandelion has been used to manage various ailments. Consequently, various scientific studies have been conducted to prove these traditional health claims.
Some of the Health Benefits of Dandelion Tea
Below are some of the main health benefits of dandelion tea.
Highly Nutritious
Our bodies need to be nourished with vital nutrients to function properly. Dandelion tea is chock full of vitamins and minerals and has more nutrients than kale and spinach. The herb contains vitamins A, C, and K and minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium, all of which provide the body with numerous physical and mental health benefits. Consuming dandelion tea is a sure perfect way of getting a wide variety of nutrients into the body.
Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s natural mechanism to fight off pathogens. However, chronic inflammation may result in diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Dandelion is rich in antioxidants that help the body fight inflammation. Some studies reveal that certain compounds in dandelion regulate the white blood cells and keep them from causing unnecessary inflammation.
High Amount of Antioxidants
Dandelion is known to have a high antioxidant concentration throughout the plant. Antioxidants help to protect the body from free radical damage. Free radicals are a natural phenomenon in the body. But unhealthy habits can exacerbate their effects. Dandelion tea can be a great source of antioxidants to help you keep up with any free radicals. Some websites have claimed dandelion may have anti-cancer properties because of the antioxidants it contains, although these claims are not verified.
Reduces Water Weight
Dandelion tea acts as a natural diuretic. Diuretics are substances that can improve your urinal output. So the next time you’re feeling bloated, swallow a cup of dandelion tea for a natural relief. This can also help the kidneys work harder to flush out extra toxins, hence why dandelion tea is often marketed as a detox tea.
May Help Digestion and Urinary Tract Infections
Dandelion tea made from the roots has been used in the past to relieve various digestive issues. Although there isn’t any concrete evidence, it’s been used to relieve constipation, improve appetite and manage minor stomach upsets. Furthermore, dandelion roots are a rich source of prebiotic fiber inulin, which improves intestinal movements.
Dandelion is often paired with the uva ursi herb to help prevent urinary tract infections. This potent combination works because of the anti-bacterial properties of uva ursi and dandelion’s diuretic effects. However, there is limited scientific evidence to fully back this claim.
May Help With Diabetes
Dandelion is a rich source of potassium. The electrolyte is crucial in stimulating heartbeat and muscle function. Potassium also helps the kidneys filter out toxins more effectively and improve blood flow. For most people, cutting out sodium from your diet and including more potassium is a clear-cut way to naturally lower your blood pressure.
Takeaway
If you are allergic to some plants in the daisy family, such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, and marigold, then you’re allergic to dandelion. In that case, it’s best to avoid it. Also, pregnant women and people on specific treatments are advised to avoid taking dandelion.
Dandelion can interact unfavorably with certain medications such as diuretics, blood thinners, lithium, and certain antibiotics. Before taking dandelion tea or any other supplement, consult a licensed health practitioner, especially regarding any medication that you are taking.
Dandelion is widely available and an easy to prepare herb with a myriad of health benefits. It can be found as a supplement or extract. Many of its general health benefits of confirmed, as these are related to the fact that it has an abundance of potassium or antioxidants for example, which largely contribute to the health benefits of dandelion tea.
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