Discover with us, through the following paragraphs, the most important potential health benefits of the dandelion plant in all its parts, and how it can help protect the liver and lose weight, in addition to ways to use it to obtain these benefits, and is dandelion tea useful as well? And some damages to beware of when using it and many other information.

What is chicory?

Dandelion, or what is known scientifically as Taraxacum officinale, is an herb or plant that grows in Europe, and all its parts (leaves, flowers, and roots) are used for many therapeutic purposes, most notably helping to control blood sugar, promoting skin health, and various other benefits.

Dandelion shape

Dandelion benefits

Potential health benefits of dandelion include:

1- Full of nutrients

All parts of the dandelion plant (from the flowers to the roots) are full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Eating dandelion leaves, cooked or raw, provides the body with large amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, and K. It also contains vitamin E, folic acid, and small amounts of other B vitamins.

This plant also provides a range of important minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium, and chicory roots contain important soluble fibers to support the growth and repair of healthy gut bacteria.

2- A source of antioxidants

The dandelion plant is full of antioxidants, which explain most of its common health benefits. These antioxidants can help prevent cell damage and prevent harmful oxidative stress.

3- Fighting infections

This plant can help reduce infections, because it contains certain components such as polyphenols, which can help the body fight infections.

4- Controlling blood sugar

Dandelion contains biologically active components, the most important of which are chicoric acid and chlorogenic acid, which can help reduce blood sugar levels. high blood sugar

5- Reducing cholesterol and fats

Some laboratory experiments indicated that the leaf extract of this plant can reduce the accumulation of triglycerides in fat cells, and the results of similar experiments indicated that this extract may help reduce high cholesterol levels.

5- Fighting cancer

One of the most controversial health benefits of this plant is the potential to fight cancer. According to the results of some animal experiments, the use of this plant extract helped suppress the growth and spread of some breast cancer cells. Other experiments also indicated that this extract may help reduce the growth of liver and colon cancer cells, and despite the positive results, they need more proof and experiments.

6- Improving digestion and treating constipation

This plant is commonly used to treat constipation and improve digestion. One study found that using this plant extract helped increase stomach contractions and emptying in animals, in addition to reducing constipation and improving the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract.

7- Strengthening immunity

This plant contains antimicrobial and antiviral properties, which can increase the body’s ability to fight infection, as some experiments have found that the extract of this plant helps significantly in reducing the ability of viruses to multiply and reproduce. Other studies have also found that this extract helps protect the body against harmful bacteria.

8- Dandelion benefits for skin

The results of some research found that the extract of this plant can help protect the skin and skin caused by exposure to sunlight, aging or acne.

9- Dandelion benefits for the liver

An animal study found that the use of this plant extract helped prevent liver damage in some animals exposed to sodium dichromate (an ingredient that causes liver damage). Other studies have also shown that this extract can reduce levels of excess fat stored in the liver, and provide protection from any oxidative stress.

Dandelion benefits for slimming

Some experts have suggested that this plant has the ability to improve carbohydrate metabolism and reduce the absorption of fats, which can lead to weight loss, but these results still need more experiments and evidence, and it is not recommended to use this plant for this purpose except after consulting a doctor.

Disclaimer: Many of the aforementioned benefits are the results of animal experiments, and the effectiveness and safety of this plant on humans still needs more experiments and studies, so we recommend consulting a doctor and talking to him first about the benefits and harms of this plant on public health before using it.

How to use dandelion herb

The leaves, flowers and roots of this plant are usually used raw (eat raw), but they can also be cooked. The roots of this plant are usually dried, ground and used as a tea or coffee substitute.

This plant is also available as a supplement in the form of capsules or in the form of an extract or tincture that is used in various ways. Available data suggest the use of this plant in the following doses:

• Fresh leaves: 4 to 10 grams daily.
• Dry leaves: 4 to 10 grams daily.
• Tincture: 1/4 to 1 teaspoon, 3 times a day.
• Extract: One or two teaspoons daily.
• Roots: 2 to 8 grams daily.
• Dried powder: 250 to 1,000 mg, 4 times a day.

Dandelion tea

This tea is usually made from dandelion leaves or roots that have been roasted. Tea extracted in both ways is considered safe and can offer several benefits to the body, most notably:

• Reducing bloating, as it helps increase urine output.
• Promote liver health.
• It is considered a natural alternative to coffee, as the roots of the plant can be roasted to become dark brown in color, placed in boiling water, and drunk instead of coffee.
• It can help with weight loss, but this effectiveness is still lacking in a lot of evidence.
• It can help improve appetite and soothe minor digestive issues.
• This tea when mixed with other herbs can help prevent urinary tract infections, but more studies are still needed to prove it.

How to make dandelion tea

1. Wash some plant leaves and then place them in hot water for 15 or 20 minutes.
2. In the case of using the roots: they must be washed well, then cut into small pieces, and placed in the oven at a high temperature for at least two hours, and after roasting, one or two teaspoons should be placed in hot water for about 10 minutes.

Dandelion damage

This plant has a low toxicity level and is in most cases considered safe, especially when used in moderate quantities as food. There are some side effects that may appear when using this plant, such as:

• acidity;
• diarrhea.
• stomach trouble.
• skin irritation

Although this plant is safe in most cases, sometimes it can cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to this plant or similar plants, and these people may then experience allergic symptoms such as rashes, watery eyes, and other symptoms.

According to some old medical reviews, this plant can interact with some medications, most notably:

So if you take any of the previous medications or any other medications, you should consult your doctor first before using this plant, to avoid harmful reactions in the body.

Dandelion for pregnant women

It is advised to avoid dandelion herb for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children as well, as a result of the lack of research examining the safety of using this plant and its long-term harm to these people. Some current studies indicate that excessive use of this plant can reduce fertility in women, and it can reduce testosterone levels in men, and this is likely to happen because this plant contains a component that has an estrogen-like effect known as a phytoestrogen.