Dandelion Root: Benefits, Side Effects
Dandelion is a plant known widely. It grows in pastures,
meadows and lawns, in moderate climates. It is also called
Taraxacum Officinale. This plants’ leaves have scraggy edges
and it pretty much resemble teeth. That’s where its name
“dandelion” comes, meaning a lion’s tooth.
Some of the parts of the Dandelion can be used for medicinal purposes with great success. Its tops and roots contain much of nutritive salts that are very helpful when used as herbal remedies for some sicknesses.
Dandelion is said to be a weed, but it is known to be used centuries ago by the Arabic people to treat some liver diseases. This is why the plant is now cultivated especially for medical uses. People have also found ways to use it in their daily meals either by cooking it or adding it raw in salads, or even making wine or grind it just like coffee.
Benefits:
The milky juice of the Dandelion has a bitter taste, but it is proved to give the body a lot of energy along with detoxifying it and purifying the blood.
The diuretic effect of the Dandelion is due to its high content of potassium. When other pharmaceutical diuretics are working with consuming the so valuable potassium from the body, the dandelion root makes sure this side effect does not appear.
Another important content of Taraxacum Officinale that is so useful is the high levels of sodium. It has a positive effect on keeping the balance of electrolytes in the blood. Dandelion root is a good laxative as well. Its useful benefits on neutralizing acids in the blood are also not to be ignored.
Jaundice and cirrhosis are liver diseases that are very well influenced by a treatment with this root. It results in inducing the flow of bile from the liver and working on cleansing the body.
Digestion and the endocrine system are also improved by the use of this medicinal herb. Even cholesterol and the uric acid levels in the body can be decreased. Due to the iron content in the root of the dandelion it is commonly used to treat anemia, as well. The stem also contains juice. Blisters, corns, acne and other skin problems are well influenced by it.
Forms:
Nowadays there are many ways in which the dandelion is offered. It could be found as capsules, as a liquid extract or tinctures. There is also possibility to get in as a tea or a freeze-dried herb. Its bitter taste, however, makes it not so pleasant to be taken and that is why it is often combined with other herbs to soften its taste.
Doses of dried Taraxacum Officinale can be taken in 2 to 8 grams taken three times a day. If it’s taken in a capsule form the typical dosage is 250 mg, taken three or four times a day, and 5 to 10 ml three times a day, if it’s dandelion root in tinctures.
Side Effects:
However, the usage of dandelion has some side effects, as well. It is considered safe and gentle in general, but there’s a risk for some people to develop an allergic reaction to it. This is why dandelion isn’t supposed to be taken along with pharmaceutical diuretics.
It could disturb the effect of lowering the blood sugar that the prescribed medications have. Diabetic people should be careful when using dandelion root.