Dandelion greens are toothed leaves that yield yellow flowers. The central hollow stem yields leave that may be green or red. It possesses a distinct, assertive flavor that is tangy and bitter. The younger leaves are mild and tender whereas the larger leaves are fibrous and bitter. The plant contains white and milky juice.

Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, is a small genus of perennial herb in the Asteraceae family. Dandelion is native to Eurasia but has been introduced to North America, India, South America, New Zealand, and Australia.

Dandelion greens – Taraxacum officinale Facts

In general appearance, Dandelion is reminiscent of Agoseris and is sometimes called Blowball, Fairy Clock, Lion’s-Tooth, and Faceclock. Like Agoseris the plants are mostly stemless, the leaves form a basal rosette and contain a milky sap. The flower stalks bear a single, erect and feathery flower head that possesses many white bristles. The flower head is 2 to 5 cm in diameter. The fruit is cypselae between 2-3 mm in diameter.

History

Dandelions are the oldest plant on the planet. The Dandelions are believed to appear in Eurasia about thirty million years ago. This plant has been used by humans as a food and medicinal plant.

Plant

Dandelions are herbaceous and perennial plants that grow up to 40 cm high. The stem is light green to white which contains the milky sap. It is smooth and grows 5-40 cm (2.0-15.7 inch) high. They have irregular leaves that are oblanceolate, oblong, or obovate with jagged tooth-shaped edges, 6-40 cm long and 0.7-15 cm wide. The leaves are dark green with a smooth or glabrous texture. The plant bears yellow to orange flowers during spring and fall. The flowers are disk-shaped, feathery, and 2-5 cm in diameter. The fruit of Dandelions is called cypselae which are obovoid, ribbed, and 3 mm long. The fruit is olive-green or olive-brown to greyish in color. Each fruit possesses white and single seeds.

Edible parts of the plants

Buds: The buds are eaten in omelets, pancakes, fritters, and schnapps.

Petals: Dandelion petals are served with rice as confetti over rice.

Flowers, leaves, and roots: The young flowers are added to the salad for flavor and color. The flowers are used as ingredients in Arabic cake. The flowers can be made as jam. Dandelion flowers are used to make wines. The flowers, leaves, and roots are used to make tea. Young leaves are consumed as salads. The stalks of the blanched leaf are eaten raw or cooked as vegetables.

Seeds: The sprouted seeds are used in salads.

Roots: The roots are consumed raw or cooked. The roasted roots are used to make dandelion coffee.

Health Benefits of Dandelion leaves

The leaves of dandelions possess various antioxidants that have a positive effect on health. The entire plant contains a high amount of kynurenic acid which is essential to maintain digestive health. It has the ability to reduce irritation and redness. Dandelion greens possess a high amount of fiber which assists bowel movements. It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B6 and C, riboflavin, iron, thiamin, manganese, and potassium. The other nutrients include magnesium, copper, phosphorus, and folate.

1. Strong bones

Dandelions possess a high amount of calcium which is vital for bone growth and strength. It contains antioxidants such as Luteolin and Vitamin C that prevent bones from damage due to free radicals. It prevents bone weakness, frailty, and a decrease in density. (1)

2. Liver health

Dandelion contains the antioxidants such as Luteolin and Vitamin C which help to maintain liver function and cures liver hemorrhage. It assists to maintain the bile flow, enhance the liver and promote digestion. It lowers the chances of constipation that reduces the chances of gastrointestinal issues. (2)

3. Lowers diabetes

The juice of Dandelion assists diabetic patients to stimulate insulin production from the pancreas by keeping a low level of blood sugar. It enhances urination in diabetic patients which eliminates the excess sugar from the body. It prevents the deposition of sugar in the kidneys by promoting urination. It prevents harmful spikes and plunges in diabetic patients. (3)

4. Diuretic action

The diuretic properties in Dandelion remove the toxic elements from the kidneys and urinary tract. The disinfectant properties prevent microbial growth in the urinary tract. (4)

5. Skin health

­The sap of Dandelion helps to treat the skin ailments which are the result of fungal and microbial infections. The sap is high in alkaline and possesses insecticidal, germicidal, and fungicidal properties. The sap could be applied on eczema, ringworm, itches, and other skin conditions without any side effects. (5)

6. Reduce acne

The juice of Dandelion is a great diuretic, detoxifier, antioxidant, and stimulant which are effective to treat acne. Dandelion juice helps to regulate hormone secretion by increasing sweat and opening up pores. This helps to remove the toxins in the form of urine and sweat. The external application of Dandelion sap prevents microbial infection and reduces acne. As it possesses Vitamin C, it also speeds up the healing process by eliminating red inflammation and scars. (6)

7. Helps to lose weight

Urine contains about 4% fat so more urination leads to loss of more water as well as fats from the body. As Dandelions are diuretic, it enhances urination and assist to lose weight without any side effects. Additionally, Dandelions contain low calories. It is also used as a sweetener as it does not contain unhealthy sugar. (7)

8. Prevent cancer

Vitamin C and Luteolin are the antioxidants that are found in Dandelions that help to eradicate free radicals from the body. This also reduces the chances of cancer. It helps to detoxify the body and prevent the development of tumors and cancers. Luteolin renders the development of cancer cells. It also effectively helps with prostate cancer. (8)

9. Treats jaundice

Dandelion is effective in counteracting jaundice and helping to cure it. It enhances the health of the liver and regulates the production of bile. It has diuretic properties that enhance urination which helps to remove the excess bile. Luteolin and Vitamin C acts and as antioxidants and disinfectants which counteract viral infections. It is effective to take with sugarcane juice because it replaces the sugar that is reduced with the impact of excess bile. (9)

10. Gall bladder function

Dandelions are effective to promote the function of the liver and gall bladder. It also prevents infections and oxidants. It regulates the secretion of both organs.

11. Prevent constipation

Dandelion is rich in fiber which aids digestion and good intestinal health. It enhances bowel movements as it adds bulk to the stool and reduces constipation and diarrhea. It prevents gastrointestinal issues by regulating bowel movements. It also soothes the stomach. It enhances the appetite.

12. Treats anemia

Dandelion provides a good amount of vitamins, iron, and proteins. Iron is a vital part of hemoglobin. Protein and Vitamin B is essential for the RBC formation and other blood components. It assist anemic patients to improve their condition. (10)

13. Maintains blood pressure

Dandelion juice helps to increase the frequency and quantity of urination which helps to reduce blood pressure. The fiber helps to reduce the cholesterol which increases the blood pressure. The presence of high amount of potassium effectively reduces the blood pressure by replacing sodium. (11)

Traditional uses

• Dandelion is used to treat health ailments such as heartburn, dyspepsia, anorexia, liver and spleen complaints, and hepatitis.
• The root is cholagogue, diuretic, depurative, antipyretic, hepatic, galactagogue, detoxicant, stomachic, laxative, and tonic.
• In herbal medicine, dandelion is used for choleretic, anti-inflammatory, laxative, appetite-stimulating, and diuretic properties.
• The root is also used as an antibiotic against yeast infection.
• Dandelion is used as a mild laxative in habitual constipation and as a tonic in atonic dyspepsia.
• The root acts as a gastrointestinal remedy that supports liver and digestion function.
• The tea which is made from dandelion root, balm herb, parsley root, and licorice root helps to treat gallstones.
• The leaf is used as a digestive stimulant and diuretic.
• The plant is used to treat urinary and gall bladder disorders, gallstones, cirrhosis, jaundice, dyspepsia, high blood pressure, heart weakness, chronic joint, gout, eczema, boils, and acne.
• In Derbyshire, the juice of stalk is used to eliminate warts.
• The decoction made from leaf decoction is used to treat anemia, nervousness, and jaundice.
• The leaves are crushed and applied to lesions, insect and snake bites.
• In Jordan folk medicine, Dandelion is used to treat chronic constipation, panophthalmitis, and diabetes.
• In Iran, Dandelion is used as an aid for Anaemia, providing immune modulation and purifying blood.
• Dandelion is used in Korean herbal medicine to promote health and energy levels.

References

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