DANDELION - NATURAL DIURETIC

Dandelion - Natural Diuretic

Opinions differ on whether the Dandelion is a wild and tenured herb with nutritional and therapeutic value or an obnoxious weed. The very word Dandelion finds its origins in Medieval Latin. This tells us the Dandelion is a very old plant indeed and endowed with an excellent reputation in the concerns of well-being and good health.

In the United States and Europe dandelion plants are grown commercially, the leaves and roots are used in the herbal supplement industry. At the same time, the herbicide industry would have us believe that the dandelion is simply an obnoxious weed that needs extermination from the farmed fields, as well as, the family yard. In truth, the lowly dandelion is loaded with vitamins and minerals.

 

Loaded With Vitamins and Minerals

Dandelion leaves, as a food, find their way into fresh salads and are used to make tea. The dandelion is a plentiful source of vitamins and minerals. The leaves have a very high content of vitamin A as well as moderate amounts of vitamin D, vitamin C, various B vitamins, iron, silicon, magnesium, zinc, and manganese. Dandelion leaves offer an abundant supply of potassium, making them a natural potassium-sparing diuretic.

Therapeutic Value

Dandelion is known for its therapeutic value in the treatment of a variety of ailments, including constipation, indigestion, heartburn and water retention. Drink tepid Dandelion tea for dyspepsia with constipation, fever or insomnia.

In Chinese herbalism, dandelion is useful for liver problems, jaundice, hepatitis and gallstones. It is purported to increase the activity of the liver, pancreas, and spleen, especially if there is enlargement of the liver or spleen. Dandelion will increase the flow of urine in people who have liver problems.  

Dandelion promotes the formation of bile and removes excess water from the body. The dandelion root affects all forms of secretion and excretion from the body. Dandelion acts as a stimulant and a tonic by removing poisons and toxins from the body.

It is also useful in all kinds of kidney problems, diabetes, edema (water retention at the cellular level) related to congestive heart failure, inflammation of the bowels and fever. Most kind is that dandelion has beneficial effects on the female organs and will increase the production of mother’s milk.

Make Tea-Infusions, Decoctions and Cold Extracts

To treat chronic rheumatism, gout or stiff joints follow an 8-week dandelion detoxification plan using one or more of the following recipes:

• To make a tea or infusion steep 2 tsp. of plant or root in 1-cup boiling water. Take ½ to 1 cup tepid or cold tea per day.
• A decoction is a bit stronger and is made by using 4 oz. of fresh dandelion in 2 pints of water. Gently boil down to 1 pint and strain. Take 3 tbsp. 6 times per day.
• Make Sun Tea or something called a Cold extract using 2 tsp. fresh plant with 1-cup water. Let stand at room temperature for 8 hours.
• The fresh juice is thought to be the most effective. Use a juicer to extract the milk from the dandelion. For a springtime tonic, take 1 tsp. Juice, 1 to 3 times a day.

Use the whole plant before it flowers; use only the leaves after the plant flowers. Use the dandelion roots only during the fall. Because the dandelion is closely related to chicory, the roots of the dandelion have often been used to make a coffee substitute.

When to Avoid Dandelion

Persons with gallbladder/gall stone problems may have blocked bile ducts. People with blocked bile ducts should avoid dandelion, as Dandelion increases secretions of bile. Likewise, those with stomach problems, such as ulcers or gastritis should avoid dandelion, as dandelion increases secretions of stomach digestive acids.

Shebolith Says…

Always be wary of allergic reaction to this and any other herbal supplement. Always use herbal supplements with common sense and in moderation.

This information is for entertainment purposes only and not intended to diagnose or cure any medically recognized and protected disease. When in doubt, seek the advice of your personal physician.