What does dandelion root do?

For most people, dandelions are nothing more than pesky weeds that thrive in their lawns no matter how many times they pull them out. However, as it turns out, the root of this modest weed is pretty miraculous on its own.

Here’s a look at everything you need to know about dandelion roots and what they can do for your health.

Some Basics About Dandelion Roots

At its core, the humble dandelion1 is an herb that grows easily and wildly along roadsides and fields. Its flowers are bright yellow stars while its leaves are jagged-edged greens with tooth-like protrusions.

Dried or fresh dandelion roots can be brewed into tea or infused in liqueurs like Amaro Nonino Quintessentia or Bittermens Boston Bittahs. In traditional medicine practices all over Europe, Asia and North America, these roots have been used for centuries to cure various illnesses from inflammation to gallbladder problems.

Nutritional Profile

Before we get down to what exactly dandelions root does let’s take a quick look at the vitamins and minerals present in it because why not? Dried roasted 2dandeilion root contains:

  • Calories: 25
  • Fat: .4 grams
  • Dietary fiber: 9% of DV (daily value)
  • Vitamin K: Over 500% of DV
    3

    • Vitamins A,C,D,E,B6,B12,Thiamine,Riboflavin,Niacin,Folate,Pantothenic Acid
    • Minerals Iron,K,Copper,Magnesium,Sodium,Zinc,
    • Taraxacin Organic Compound,

Well quite some varieties there eh?

Are you impressed yet by this simple-looking plant which has literally every vitamin under its belt (do plants even wear a belt?) okay jokes apart, let us dive into the mystical properties of these roots.

What Does Dandelion Root Do?

Here are just some of the ways that dandelion root can benefit your health:

1. Boosts Immune System

The organic compound taraxacin4 found in dandelion roots stimulates endocrine gland function and strengthens immune defenses. It has antifungal as well as antimicrobial properties which helps to combat various pathogens that could be harmful for our body.

2. Treats Constipation

Dried dandelion root works like a charm to aid regularity and relieve digestive complaints thanks to its high fiber content. According to one study 5it is known that it helped improve bowel movement frequency even better than over-the-counter laxatives.

3. Reduces Water Retention

Before you start trying out all sorts of funky diets & supplements for losing water weight give this bad boy alone a try! It acts as a natural diuretic and helps eliminate excess fluids from the body by promoting urine secretion [^6][^7]

4. Detoxifies Liver

Being an anti-inflammatory agent, this yellow plant flushes out toxins from liver making it healthy overtime.[^8]

5.Prevents Cancer Growth

One review paper published in Health Sciences Review evaluated numerous studies on the effect of Taraxacum Officinale (the fancy name) on cancer growth rates with promising results especially against breast cancer cells . The powerful antioxidants present here fights free radical damage thereby reducing oxidative stress- both factors which are linked with development and progression of cancer.[^9]

So there we have it: five ways dandelion root can work wonders for our bodies unrelated to being puffs Balls or make sweet/sour syrups haha!

How To Incorporate Dandelion Roots Into Your Diet

If you want to start using dandelion roots for their health benefits, there are a few ways that you can go about it:

1. Brew Dandelion Root Tea

Put the dried roasted roots in hot water and let them steep & infuse this golden goodness . Many people say adding honey to dial down bitterness helps.

2. Toss Them In A Salad

Start with small proportions because well they have strong taste- starts off as bitter followed by nutty&earthy undertones might require some getting used to overtime![^10]

3. Roast And Grind The Roots

This becomes an incredible substitute for coffee beans and best part is it’s caffeine-free! So those who want to avoid caffeine or looking forward to trying something different can make satisfying cups of coffee with these instead[^11].

Potential Side Effects Of Consuming Dandelion Roots

(Aaand we come full circle) It’s definitely important always know what you’re putting into your body before commence experimenting!

While there aren’t any immediate dangerous side effects observed against its utilization still overspecification of consuming dandelions could lead vomiting, heartburn ,upset stomachs which nobody likes right?

So if overconsumed here are the possible reactions [^12]:

  • Gastrointestinal Disturbances (nausea,vomiting etc)
  • Allergic Reaction
    • Headache
    • Skin Irritation

Better safe than sorry!

Final Thoughts (Oh Come on you knew was coming)

For most of us,it’s just another weed popping out around our patio,but taking a close look at what nature offers could provide beneficial afterall…nature did indeed bless us with yet again another medicinal wonder herb. 

Making use of these will not be like casting ‘Expecto Patronum’ from Harry Potter since whenever needed #NerdyJokesOneLiners (No, don’t roll your eyes at me).

Anywho,  like many other ancient ingredients, dandelion root has been around for centururies in traditional and holistic medicine.

So if you’re struggling with issues anywhere from constipation to improving digestion,liver health or are just looking for a new caffeinated drink then look no further.[^13] Dandelion roots could be your saving grace & wonder solution. Easy-accessible yet fancy product – win-win!! [^14]  

^[8] :Phytomedicine: InternationalJournal of PhytotherapyandPhytopharmacology.Volume 17, Issues 11–12, Pages 857-863;Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology Volume14,

Issue1,p195.Customer reviews on Amazon.

^[9]: http://www.ulifeline.org/articles/423-dandelion-root
^[10]:https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/eat-dandelion-greens-salad-11877.html
https://food.ndtv.com/ingredient/dandelion-root-307?page=3

^[11] :http://cordeliacallsitquits.blogspot.in/search?q=dandelions;
LAMBERTI ET AL. JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE Volume56 , Issue6

^[13]:https://yurielkaim.com/dandelion-tea-benefits/

^[14]:https://bodyecology.com/articles/5_surprising_health_benefits_of_dandalion_root.php


  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taraxacum 

  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5553762/ 

  3. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170365/nutrients 

  4. http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/039463201002300219 

  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=dandelion+root+dyspepsia+laxative;
    www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gastroenterology_hepatology/_pdfs/small_large_intestine/dietary-fiber-chart-pyth.pdf.
    ^[6] :http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0191070#sec006
    ^[7] :http://apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/APJCN/volume24/vol24supp-1/Dinu.pdf
    ;Gary J.Katz,Mustcare Inc.Decrease fluid retention and swelling with natural Diuretic Herb Taraxacum Officinale(US Patent US008715954) 

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