Fresh, young dandelion greens can be added to salad mixes. Dandelion blooms may also be eaten fresh or boiled, cooked in fritters, pickled, or used to make wine or jelly. I prefer to let these resilient and prevalent flowers grow. Updated 2017. Wirngo FE, Lambert MN, Jeppesen PB. Here are 10 ways that magnesium can improve your health. Lowering blood pressure. Dandelion greens are toothed leaves which yield yellow flower. Here are 13 potential health benefits of dandelion, and what science has to say about them. Inulin, a fiber found in dandelion root, may also support healthy bones through improved digestion and the promotion of healthy gut bacteria (32). Because dandelion root is generally non-toxic, it may be a good adjunct intervention to support conventional cancer therapy. Dandelion cleanses the body of toxins and stimulates bile secretion. One test-tube study revealed significantly reduced growth of cancerous cells that were treated with dandelion leaf extract. Animal and test-tube studies indicate that dandelion may protect against harmful sun rays, aging and skin irritations, such as acne. It’s rich in nutrients, including fiber, antioxidants, vitamin A and vitamin K. It’s easy to make dandelion tea at hope or preparing it from tea bags bought at your local health food store. Research directly relating dandelion to bone health is lacking, though some nutritional components of the plant are known to support the maintenance of strong bones. Furthermore, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of dandelion may protect against long-term complications of type 2 diabetes (like heart disease). Reliable human research is still needed to better understand how dandelion may support skin health. Here are 14 natural ways to boost your insulin…. Office of Dietary Supplements. Dandelion greens are packed with health-promoting nutrients that might have you thinking twice about this ubiquitous yellow flower. However, the same results should not be expected in humans due to differences in human and animal metabolism. Only 3% of Americans get enough of the essential mineral potassium. When the wind … Other test-tube studies have shown that dandelion root extract has the capacity to dramatically slow the growth of cancer cells in liver, colon and pancreatic tissue (17, 18, 19). U.S. Department of Agriculture. There are about 100 species of dandelion, and all are beneficial. Rev Diabet Stud. Nutrition facts for Generic - Dandelion Flowers - Raw - calories, proteins, carbs, fats. Dandelion Greens Nutrition. For centuries, they’ve been used to treat a myriad of physical ailments, including cancer, acne, liver disease and digestive disorders. Further research is needed to determine how dandelion impact liver health in humans. The roots contain natural starch and sugar substitutes and can be used as a dietary product for liver and gallbladder diseases. Some animal studies have shown that bioactive components in dandelion may support weight loss, but no human studies have evaluated this effect. Dandelion root extract are extremely diuretic drug in nature, so they help … However, this study was done over a short period and involved only 17 people (11). © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Though considered by many to be a weed, technically, dandelion (Taraxacum) is an herb. The green leaves of dandelion also contain a high amount of calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, iron and zinc. There are about 100 species of dandelion, and all are beneficial. Dandelion is a common meadow herb of the Asteraceae or sunflower family. Because lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in the retina, they are particularly beneficial in preventing age-related macular degeneration.. Dandelion greens are a good source of calcium and vitamin K — both of which are associated with the prevention of bone loss (30, 31). However, this notion has yet to be scientifically proven (14). They may also help lower your cholesterol. Dandelion flowers are anodyne, cardiotonic, emollient, hepatic, and vulnerary. Stem is hollow. Dandelion are a rich source of beta-carotene and polyphenolic compounds, both of which are known to have strong antioxidant capabilities that can prevent aging and certain diseases. One animal study resulted in dramatically reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels in mice that were treated with dandelion extract (9). Ultimately, more research is needed to draw definitive conclusions about dandelion’s ability to fight viral and bacterial infection in humans. Dandelion is used in Korean herbal medicine to promote health and energy levels. Early research indicates that dandelion have antiviral and antimicrobial properties, though clear applications for medicinal use have yet to be determined. Like most plants, dandelion greens don't provide all of the body's essential amino acids, so it's important to consume a variety of protein foods to meet your dietary needs. Rich in Vitamins and Minerals Dandelion leaves are rich in Vitamins A, B, C, E and has the richest herbal source of viitamin K.The yellow lower tops in particular arehigh in Vitamin A and Vitamin B12. In fact, they are one of the most nutritious plants to eat. Magnesium is an important mineral for your body and brain. The physiological effects of dandelion (taraxacum officinale) in type 2 diabetes. In particular, it contains a good amount of fiber as well as vitamin K, vitamin A and vitamin C. One cup of chopped dandelion greens (55 grams) contains approximately: 24.7 calories Office of Dietary Supplements. As the dandelion leaf is a galactagogue, it increases the nursing mother’s milk supply and bolsters its nutritional quality – also a boon for the infant! Dandelion Factoids. Master Gardener Program Division of Extension. The vitamin C and vitamin K in dandelion greens both come in handy in the event of an injury. Dandelion greens are not a significant source of fat on their own, but fat may be added during preparation. A study in mice with artificially induced inflammatory lung disease showed a significant reduction of lung inflammation in those animals that received dandelion (7). Fry Dandelion Flowers and Eat Them. Farmer's markets, health food stores, and organic markets also tend to carry them. Dandelion benefits the health of your bones, digestion, liver, urinary tract and skin. Taraxacum officinale, dandelion’s botanical name, has been derived from some Greek words referring to the medicinal characteristics of this species. People who take diabetes medication, immunosuppressive agents, or cytochrome P450 substrate drugs should speak to their doctor before eating dandelion. In fact, every part of the plant is edible and rumored to provide various health benefits. Though these outcomes are intriguing, more research is needed to determine dandelion’s potential effects on cholesterol in humans. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Dandelion contains potassium which is known to reduce blood pressure. Dandelions are naturally low in fat and sugar and high in fiber. Updated 2020. One human study found dandelion to be an effective diuretic. Free radicals are a product of normal metabolism but can be very destructive. The following nutrition information is provided by the USDA for 1 cup (55g) of raw dandelion greens.. Dip the flowers in tempura batter and fry them in oil. This process leads to improved insulin sensitivity and reduced blood sugar levels (8). Because of dandelion's diuretic effects, it may interfere with lithium or water pills. Additionally, dandelion root is a rich source of the prebiotic fiber inulin. Anyone who follows a low FODMAP diet for the management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) should be aware that dandelion greens contain inulin, a fructooligosaccharide that may cause flare-ups for those who are sensitive to it., Many grocery stores now carry dandelion greens because of their increased popularity. Some research indicates that dandelion may have antimicrobial and antiviral properties, which could support your body’s ability to fight infection. More research is needed to determine if the same effect would be seen in humans. COYMOS Dried Flowers and Herbs 100% Natural Dry Flowers for Candle Making, Resin Jewelry, Bath Bombs - Contains Mint Leaves, Calendula, Hibiscus, Lemon Slices etc. Here's what you stand to gain by adding dandelion greens to your grocery list. Perhaps one of the most intriguing health claims of dandelion is their potential to prevent the growth of cancerous cells in many different organ systems. Int J Mol Sci. 2016;7(45):73080-73100. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.11485. Antioxidants are molecules that help neutralize or prevent the negative effects of free radicals in your body. Dandelion is also an excellent source of Vitamin A. Traditional herbal medicine practices use dandelion for their diuretic effect based on the belief that this can detoxify certain organs. Plants naturally produce inulin and use it as an energy source. Some early research seems to support these claims. Improving your insulin sensitivity can reduce your risk of many diseases, including diabetes. Lavender is a woody, floral herb originally grown in parts of northern … Dandelion roots and blooms are best when still young and tender in early spring., Foraging dandelion from your yard or public spaces is not recommended. Test-tube and animal studies show that these compounds can improve insulin secretion from the pancreas while simultaneously improving the absorption of glucose (sugar) in muscle tissue. FoodData Central. Research also indicates that some of the active compounds in dandelion protect against various harmful bacteria (4, 25, 26). The yellow flower resembles the sun, the puff ball resembles the moon and the dispersing seeds resemble the stars. It is unknown, however, whether dandelion greens are safe for consumption during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Over time, excessive inflammation can lead to permanent damage to your body’s tissues and DNA. Dandelion roots have several bioactive compounds that work collectively against type 2 diabetes symptoms. For instance, dandelions are rich in inulin, a type of fiber that's been shown to stabilize blood sugar levels. Cooking mature dandelion greens in boiling water for 10 minutes will reduce bitterness. Roots that are 2 years old may be roasted and ground for use as a coffee substitute. Small animal and test-tube studies suggest that dandelion have a significant anti-inflammatory capacity, though more research is needed to better understand how dandelion affect inflammation in humans. Dr. Weil's website adds riboflavin, folic acid, B6, copper and manganese to the list 1 4. Some of the bioactive compounds in dandelion may lower cholesterol, which may decrease heart disease risk. In one study, dandelion leaf and flower extracts protected against skin damage when applied just prior to or immediately after exposure to UVB radiation (sunlight). Some research indicates that dandelion and their bioactive components may support weight loss and maintenance, though the data is not entirely conclusive. Leaves are toothed at the edges. Vitamin K promotes blood clotting to prevent excessive loss of blood. Vitamin A fact sheet for health professionals. Share on Pinterest. Dandelion Benefits for Arthritis. Updated 2019. Blanch the greens first, then saute them in oil with garlic. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The nutritional profile of these greens includes huge levels of vitamin K (more than 500% of your daily requirement per serving), as well as very high levels of vitamin A and C. These greens also contain moderate amounts of calcium, iron, manganese, B vitamins, dietary fiber, and other active ingredients and compounds. Dandelion contain potassium, a mineral associated with lowered blood pressure in those with previously elevated levels.