What if I told you Pharmacist learn about this remedy in school? Would you pay attention then? What is it you may ask? Are you ready?
It is called Taraxacum officinale, translated it means “altering or stirring up, according the Greeks. You have paid big money at a debt to your pocket and health to get rid of Taraxacum Officinale, without knowing it.
Taraxacum Officinale looks like this
Yes you are seeing right! It is indeed the common dandelion. An herb growing up to a height of 12 – 14 inches. Dandelion seeds are transported by kids making a wish, or with the help of Mother Nature’s wind. Dandelions are photosensitive, meaning they bloom under the morning’s sun and close in the evening and an overcast day. The fleshy roots are brown in colour and filled with white bitter tasting sap. Spring is around the corner, we learned about the lemon and now you need to learn about the pesky yellow invader. We spend thousands of dollars in the United States to eliminate the unsightly yellow flower. But why? Did someone somewhere decide these unsightly flowers are not worthy of a flower box? The dandelion has incredible healing properties and more nutrients than the greens in your salad. In Toronto, I could go to any market and pick up long savory leaves during spring to include in my salads and juice. What I miss the most, being able to go into my backyard and pick the delectable spicy leaves. Ontario has banned all pesticides and herbicides, making it safe to eat any herb found growing on a lawn. Come to think about it, pesticides have been linked to liver cancers and who would of thought the one herb that we are forever trying to rid ourselves of can actually heal the liver!
We recently hired a gardener here in Phoenix and of course I went through many because of my list of demands (If you knew I what I know, you’d follow suit). I saw some peculiar leaves in my back yard, they sort of looked like the precious passage of spring, but I was not sure. The gardener, said dandelions do not grow here very often, well that makes sense, with the amount of spraying I have seen in the past two weeks! I decided to play wait-and-see.
Sitting in my favourite morning nook about 5 days ago drinking my morning hot water and lemon brew, I saw something yellow. I did not want to get too excited, and there they were; DANDELIONS. I grabbed a bunch and juiced them right away! My beautiful front lawn has run amuck with more dandelion leaves, unsightly to most, but a treasure trove for me! In the wild animals readily eat the super powered plant for a natural detoxification process, remember animals only eat what is good for them.
History of the Dandelion
The dandelion plant has been used for thousands of years to treat common conditions like cancer, diabetes and fungal infections. It has also been used to treat digestive disorders, liver conditions, skin infections, insect and snake bites. Many cultures have and used the plant to treat an array of health issues. Ancient Indian medical system of Ayurveda used the plant to treat various liver disorders such as jaundice, enlargement and cirrhosis of the liver. Native Americans used dandelion for treating heartburn, renal disease. Both Pillager-Ojibwa and Cherokee used the root of the dandelion to make a therapeutic tea to treat constipation, water retention, aches and pain. Europeans would treat fever, boils, eye problems, diabetes and diarrhea. The Spanish introduced the dandelion to the Untied States in 1820 as a therapeutic plant that could treat just about any ailment.
What can the Dandelion do for you?
The Dandelion contains a slew of nutrients, and we now know that we need good quality nutrients for healing, growth and repair. Although I have listed many ailments that the dandelion can help with, what is at the root of all illness is digestion. If your digestion is not working properly, you cannot assimilate nutrients for healing and repairing. If you are not healing and repairing, your body is in a constant state of crisis and continues to destruct its own immune system. Dandelion helps build immunity and strengthens the liver and gallbladder. It helps to stimulate bile production and cleans out the bile duct. This is why you see dandelions in the Spring- here’s the AHA moment- Spring is a time to detoxify toxins from the winter, and look, the dandelion is right there to assist you! If the liver is running optimally, it cleanz out toxins, and builds a healthy immune system that will continuously detoxify potential toxins effectively without having to store them and that meanz wealth of health.
What Nutritional properties are found in a dandelion? Take a look
So what do I do now?
If you are lucky enough to live somewhere that is not heavily polluted with pesticides, pick away. Avoid picking dandelions close to roads, the toxins from the cars exhaust will be mingled in the plant externally and internally. It is better to pick in the morning before the sun is directly on the plant, try to pick young leaves that have not flowered yet. Wash them before use. If you are making tea, pick the flowers and root. No worries about damaging the roots. Dandelions have a tap root, one break and it will send up shoots elsewhere. Some super markets and health food stores will carry dandelion leaves if you are not fortunate enough to pick off of your lawn. Health food stores will sell tinctures and teas as well. But truly, there is nothing more satisfying than picking a plant and reaping its immediate enzyme and nutrient gold. Our body synthesizes all plants nutrients and uses them to for our greatest potential.
Contraindications-Should I worry about eating weeds?
We eat weeds, herbs and plants every day. Some are toxic, and some feel like they are toxic because they are moving stuff out of your fat cells, into your blood stream and into the colon for illumination.
The following is a list of contraindications from All All 4 Natural health
”Some people have reported allergic reactions from merely touching dandelion and hence one needs to be careful about using dandelion. This, though, is rare.
Try not to use dandelion flowers, leaves, stem or dandelion roots if they are sprayed with chemicals and pesticides. In other words, try to get organic dandelion.
Some dandelion side effects may occur from using the juice of the plant. Dandelion juice extracted from the stem or roots can induce nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea and increased urination. This is mainly due its diuretic properties.
People with gallbladder conditions and gallstones must exercise caution before starting on dandelion remedies, as the dandelion herb can contribute to cleansing and detox reactions for these conditions, which would come across as side effects. Ideally, a qualified professional who has expertise in herbal remedies should be consulted.
People who are on pharmaceutical diuretics or drugs that have a diuretic action should not take dandelion root or other dandelion variations. In this case, one of the possible side effects of dandelion root is that it could lower the effect of the synthetic drug. Of course, this is not really a dandelion root side effect, per se, but rather a potential interaction with diuretic drugs. Personally, I use herbal and natural remedies ahead of any chemical drug medications, anytime.
People on diabetes medications should also be aware that dandelion or any dandelion supplement might increase the blood sugar lowering effects of those pharmaceutical drugs. In this scenario, this could be a potentially dangerous dandelion side effect. Ideally, the primary care physician should be consulted. Do note, however, that most medical doctors have zero or close-to-zero knowledge on herbs and herbal remedies.”
Always consult a medical professional before starting any diet or detoxification regime. It is also important to seek a qualified health care practioner versed in natural detoxifications. I am well qualified and verse in this area.
Here are a few recipes for you to incorporate into your healthy diet.
Dandelion Flower Tea Recipe
Unfortunately, you will not find fresh flowers in your grocer or health food store. If they are growing in your back yard, or somewhere that has not been sprayed with chemicals pick away or check with your health food store to see if they have dried flowers:
Steep in a cup of water for about 15-20 minutes.
Add a little honey, molasses or maple syrup (no sugar, or artificial sweeteners) to taste and enjoy! Dandelion Root Coffee Recipe
With the help of a weed popper, take out dandelion roots. Wash them well and take about 25 tap roots to prepare one cup of dandelion roasted root coffee.
Pat the wet roots dry and spread them on a cookie sheet. Roast them for about 2 hours and 30 minutes at 200 degree F. Once they look dark brown and dry, stop roasting them. Now grind them in a grinder.
Use the ground roasted roots of dandelion to prepare the coffee. For one cup of roasted dandelion root coffee you might need to use two tablespoons of ground dandelion root.
Dandelion root coffee makes for wonderful beverage dandelion recipes. It is caffeine free and is a great herbal remedy for bowel function, detox, and weight reduction! Recipe from All 4 Natural Health
Add Dandelion leaves to your next salad for a spicy, bite. For more recipes http://www.all4naturalhealth.com/dandelion-recipes.html For step-by-step to make tea; http://www.steaptv.com/2008/05/06/how-to-dandelion-tea-sassafras-tea , photos credit is also from this site.
Have a super fabulous green day-Happy Spring!
Karen Langston Nutrition and Functional Medicine and Wellness Specialist
www.IAmWorthIt2.com*
Karen@iamworthit2.com
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