(Organic Slant) Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has a bad reputation as nothing more than a pesky week.  Like most other weeds that people regard as a mere nuisance, dandelion has scientifically-proven medicinal properties.

It has been used as a healing and preventative herb for centuries. And currently it’s one of the top herbs being researched by western medical science. Thus far, that scientific scrutiny has confirmed the medicinal value of dandelion, known for centuries by herbalists and ancient Asian medical practices.

Dandelion contains chemicals whose biological activities are actively being explored for roles in human health. In particular, evidence suggests that dandelion contains antioxidant and inflammation resistant compounds.

Extensive History of Use

An Arabian doctor first recorded dandelion’s curative properties in the tenth century.  Dandelion was once called “piddle bed” because of its ability to increase urine flow.  The French has a less tactful name for the plant as well:  “pissenlit.”  For those of you who don’t speak any French I’ll let you know that “en lit” means “in bed.”  I’ll leave you to figure out the rest.

The Australian Journal of Medical Herbalism cites research supporting the liver-regenerating properties of dandelion, particularly in cases of jaundice, liver swelling, hepatitis, and indigestion. Dandelion root stimulates the liver’s bile production for the gall bladder and helps the liver control the gall bladder’s releasing of that bile for digestive purposes, especially fats. Good digestion is the foundation for good overall health.

In a study published in the journal Molecules, researchers found that animals given dandelion had a reduction in fatigue and a boost in immunity.

According to Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, author of Fat Flush Plan dandelion root aids the liver and fat metabolism in two ways:  it stimulates the liver to produce more bile to send to the gallbladder, and at the same time causes the gallbladder to contract and release its stored bile, assisting with fat metabolism.

Some health professionals advise taking dandelion root tea for people on antidepressant medications since these drugs can impede the liver’s detoxification pathways.

According to research cited in The Purification Plan, dandelion helps break down toxins before they have a chance to damage cells and may therefore be useful for cancer prevention.

In a study published in Advances in Hematology, researchers found that dandelion significantly increased both red and white blood cells, making it a possible aid in the treatment of anemia, blood purification, immune system modulation.

Dandelion greens for teas have been used in several cultures for many years as a mild, natural diuretic. This keeps the kidneys from building up waste products and prevents the body’s tissues from retaining too much fluid. Usually, dark urine indicates a level of dehydration. Drinking more pure water could clear that up, literally.

There are other diuretics that make you pee. But dandelion offers more nutritional protective support than the others. Dandelion greens also help restore damaged tissue and protect against inflammation. They also help cleanse the blood, assisting the liver with that task.

Know Your Weed

Many similar plants in the Asteraceae family with yellow flowers are sometimes known as “false dandelions”. Dandelions are very similar to catsears (Hypochaeris). Both plants carry similar flowers, which form into windborne seeds. However, dandelion flowers are borne singly on unbranched, hairless and leafless, hollow stems, while catsear flowering stems are branched, solid and carry bracts. Both plants have a basal rosette of leaves and a central taproot. However, the leaves of dandelions are smooth or glabrous, whereas those of catsears are coarsely hairy.

Other plants with superficially similar flowers include hawkweeds (Hieracium) and hawksbeards (Crepis). These are readily distinguished by branched flowering stems, which are usually hairy and bear leaves.

Don’t bother pulling those dandelion weeds for your teas if you’re in a heavily polluted area or chemicals are used on the grounds. It’s better to deal with commercially sold organic or wild harvested dandelion or supplements containing the extracts.

We spend billions of dollars searching for the one miracle pill that will cure what ails us while Mother Nature has provided medicine right beneath our noses.  If we’d only stop killing the “weeds” we contend with on our lawns and instead cultivate these powerful healing herbs we’d be much healthier (that is, unless you live in a high traffic area or spray your lawn with toxic pesticides).