Are dandelions a painkiller? (2023)

What sickness does dandelion cure?

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), dandelion has been used to treat stomach problems, appendicitis, and breast problems, such as inflammation or lack of milk flow. In Europe, dandelion was used in remedies for fever, boils, eye problems, diabetes, and diarrhea.

Do not use dandelion if you are taking a blood thinner, such as warfarin. You should also avoid dandelion if you have gallbladder problems, have diabetes or are taking medicine to control blood sugar levels, or are taking a diuretic.

Highly nutritious

From root to flower, dandelions are highly nutritious plants loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Dandelion greens can be eaten cooked or raw and are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K. They also contain vitamin E, folate, and small amounts of other B vitamins ( 1 ).

Dandelion contains potential bioactive components (TS and CGA), which offer safe treatment and control of diabetes. It has several beneficial properties; it is anti-diabetic, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory.

Supports Liver and Kidney Health

One study done in Korea showed that dandelion extract prevented damage to the liver caused by alcohol toxicity in both liver cells and mice. These protective effects are likely due to the amount of antioxidants found in dandelion root, as well as its ability to prevent cell damage.

Dandelion leaf is a diuretic, meaning it promotes urination thereby helping weight loss without side effects. It also removes toxic substances from the kidneys and entire urinary system. Plus, its disinfectant properties inhibit bacterial growth, preventing future UTIs.

When taken by mouth: Dandelion is likely safe for most people when consumed in the amounts commonly found in food. It is possibly safe when taken in larger amounts. Dandelion might cause allergic reactions, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, or heartburn in some people.

Dandelion leaf is a safe and gentle herb for stimulating the kidneys and helping them to function efficiently. It contains bitter glycosides, carotenoids, potassium, iron and other minerals, and is regularly used by herbalists to treat fluid retention which often causes swollen ankles and generally puffy skin.

It Could Promote Liver Health

Preliminary studies suggest this is due, in part, to its ability to increase the flow of bile. Naturopaths believe it means that dandelion root tea could help detoxify the liver, help with skin and eye problems, and relieve symptoms of liver disease.

Dandelion greens are also edible. The best time to harvest the leaves is when they are still young and tender, before the plant begins to flower. Tender leaves taste great when chopped fresh into salad. As the leaves grow older they become increasingly bitter.

Is it OK to drink dandelion tea everyday?

According to Keene, many people drink dandelion tea daily (with some drinking it up to four times per day). “[Drinking dandelion tea] any time of day is completely fine because it is caffeine-free, but there are two times of the day I would recommend not having it,” instructs Ross.

The dandelion root increases liver function, which flushes toxins and excess water from the belly area and in turn gives you a flatter tummy. Just 2-4 cups a day does the trick.

You should infuse dandelion flowers in an oil and rub onto the painful joints and muscles or painful areas. You should put fresh dandelion leaves in a mason jar and pour some base oil, such as olive or sweet almond oil to the top of the jar. Leave it for 14 days to infuse and then strain it.

Did you know that Dandelion's are very beneficial plants to reduce joint pain and aching muscles? The anti-inflammatory properties of dandelions have been proven to aid in the treatment of arthritis, gout, relieve sore muscles and decrease joint pain.

The dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is an abundant “weed” plant that also happens to be edible. In fact, nearly the entire plant can be consumed in one way or another. The only inedible part is the stem, which contains a very bitter, milky substance.

Taraxacum official (dandelion) leaf extract alleviates high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver.

A detox like this can be done anywhere from three to ten days, with the average being seven. There is no increased benefit from going on a detox lasting longer than ten days. A dandelion root liver cleanse may cause a few unpleasant side effects. Some people experience a mild laxative effect.

While dandelion is not traditionally known as a sleep-inducing food, we have found using the liver-cleansing properties of dandelion to be a valuable aid in helping sleep. A healthy liver will balance blood sugar. Blood sugar fluctuations and drops are a major factor in insomnia and waking at night.

Dandelion root tea may negatively affect your digestive system, causing diarrhea, stomach inflammation or heartburn. According to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, dandelion root side effects can also include hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar.

Does dandelion increase estrogen?

Dandelion ethanol extract (DEE) significantly increased cell proliferation and estrogen response element (ERE)-driven luciferase activity. DEE significantly induced the expression of estrogen related genes such as pS2 and PR, which was inhibited by tamoxifen at 1 μmol·L⁻¹.

Dandelion tea contributes to weight loss due to its diuretic qualities. It helps to remove excess fluid from the body, which when overweight often lingers in the cells, interfering with healthy metabolic processes.

Dandelion leaves are also believed to have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system due to their high potassium content (397 mg potassium/100 g) [19,23]; indeed, increased potassium intake with food (about 3500 mg/day for an adult) has been found to lower blood pressure [23].

Lower cholesterol

Lowering cholesterol is a key step to reducing the risk of heart disease. Studies in animals have found that extracts from dandelion roots and leaves can naturally lower cholesterol levels.

Dandelion has a diuretic effect, due to which unwanted fluid is eliminated from the body. This helps to reduce blood volume, which reduces the load on the heart. Due to this property, dandelion lowers blood pressure, therefore, decoctions and infusions based on it are recommended for use in hypertension.