Dandelion: Uncommon Health Benefits of a Common Flower

The humble dandelion flower can be found on every continent.  This cheerful flower is a common sight in parks and on household lawns.  The flower is considered by many to be a pesky weed, but many more people also realize the numerous health benefits of dandelion.

For centuries, the dandelion plant has been used to treat a wide variety of ailments and has many healing benefits including:

  • Aids digestion
  • Detoxifies the liver
  • Reduce bloating
  • Serves as a diuretic
  • Supports bone health
  • Regulate blood sugar

Dandelion leaves and roots are full of vitamins and minerals including Vitamins A, B6, C, K, iron, zinc, potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium.  Dandelion can be found in supplements, or mixed into a salad or its roots and leaves make a lovely tea. Dandelion tea is known to taste similar to coffee and can be drank as a substitute. Clair’s Teas of Joy blends dandelion with orange peel, elderberry, and ginger in our Purify & Detoxify tea.  Try the Purify & Detoxify tea and experience the health benefits of dandelion firsthand.

 

Reference:

  1. Davaatseren M, Hur HJ, Yang HJ, Hwang JT, Park JH, Kim HJ, Kim MJ, Kwon DY, Sung MJ.  (2013)  Taraxacum official (dandelion) leaf extract alleviates high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver.  Food Chem Toxicol. 2013 Aug;58:30-6.
  2. Clare BA, Conroy RS, Spelman K.  (2009)  The diuretic effect in human subjects of an extract of Taraxacum officinale folium over a single day.  J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Aug;15(8):929-34.