Many people think dandelion is only a humble garden weed, because they don’t know these important health benefits of dandelion. Its leaves and flowers have healing and nutritional properties, and it’s useful to know that dandelion is found all over the world, so everybody can enjoy the beauty and health benefits of dandelion. It’s also good to know that dandelion has more protein per serving than spinach. Its leaves are rich in calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and manganese and the vitamins A, C, E, K, and B1, 2, and 6. Its root contains calcium, iron, potassium, sulphur, silicon, magnesium, chlorophyll and phosphorus. Read on to learn some of the most wonderful health benefits of dandelion.
1. A good treat for skin diseases
Skin diseases caused by fungal or microbial infections can be treated with dandelion sap (dandelion milk). The sap has germicidal, insecticidal, and fungicidal properties and it’s also highly alkaline. All these make dandelion a good treat for ringworm, eczema and other itchy complaints.
2. Good for diabetes
Another great health benefit of dandelion is that it stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin. Since dandelion is a natural diuretic it causes more frequent urination, which helps remove excess sugar from the body and lower sugar build up in the kidneys, preventing renal disease that most diabetics are susceptible to.
3. Helps fight cancer
The world’s ancient traditional medicine systems, including the Native American, Arabian and Chinese, have long known about the health benefits of dandelion. One of the most important health benefits is that dandelion has anti-cancer effects, particularly for breast and prostate cancers. Studies have shown that its root has a great impact on cancer cells (melanoma) that are resistant to chemotherapy, with the amazing benefit of not doing any harm to the healthy cells.
4. Helps in maintaining bone health
Dandelion is rich in calcium, which is essential for the growth and strength of bones. It also has a high concentration of antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Luteolin, which protect bones from toxic free radicals that can cause general bone weakening, loss of density and premature aging.
5. Improves the function of the liver
Dandelion improves the function of the liver by stimulating the liver naturally and promoting digestion. The chemicals in dandelion eliminate toxins from the body and help to rebalance electrolytes and reestablish hydration.
6. Improves overall digestive health
Dandelion is a mild appetite stimulant, so if you are trying to lose weight, perhaps, it’s better to avoid it. But if you want to improve your digestive health, dandelion is something you need! The inulin and mucilage in the plant aid in the soothing effects on the digestive tract and the antioxidants help with the absorption of the toxins from food and encourage the growth of friendly gut bacteria and inhibit and discourage unfriendly gut bacteria and flora.
7. Promotes good urinary health
Due to its diuretic properties, dandelion promotes good urinary health. Yes, that’s true! The detoxification cleanses your kidneys as well as urinary tract, while microbiological growths in the entire urinary system are inhibited by the disinfectant properties of dandelion.
If you’re going to take advantage of these amazing properties, be sure to make a small research and learn how to use it. There are many different dandelion products available in drug stores and health food stores, but it’s better to harvest your own. Do you have dandelion in your diet? Do you know any other important health benefits of this fantastic plant? Please comment below and thanks for reading!