The unusual benefits of dandelion root and recipes for preparation

Taraxacum is a large genus of flowering plants in the Asteraceae family, which consists of species known as dandelions. Dandelion is native to Europe, but is found in temperate regions in the Northern Hemisphere. The leaves, blossoms, and root of the plant are traditionally used in Mexican and other North American medicine. 1

To date, dandelion can be used as a diuretic and as a natural remedy for a variety of conditions, including infections and digestive symptoms. As a food, dandelion is used in salads and in soups, wine and teas. Roasted dandelion roots can be used as a substitute for coffee.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body, and dandelions contain 10 percent of the recommended daily intake. Calcium is stored in the structure of bones and teeth. It is important for normal nerve function, blood clotting, hormone secretion and muscle contraction. By consuming dandelion root, you can reduce the risk of tooth decay, muscle tension and high blood pressure, which can be caused by calcium deficiency.

Vitamin K is an essential fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in bone and heart health. Can you believe that dandelions contain over 500 percent of your daily norm? This means that they are a great preventive means of preventing vitamin K deficiency. Vitamin K is the main vitamin involved in bone mineralization and blood clotting. It also helps maintain brain function and a healthy metabolism.

There is growing evidence that vitamin K can improve bone health and reduce the risk of bone fractures, especially in postmenopausal women who are at risk for osteoporosis. Therefore, they may also focus on consuming dandelion root to provide vitamin K to support bone and joint health.

Our liver's role is to produce bile, which helps enzymes in the body break down fat into fatty acids and filter and detoxify our blood. The liver also has an amazing ability to break down and store amino acids, synthesize and metabolize fats and cholesterol, store glucose, and regulate our internal functions.

The vitamins and nutrients present in dandelions help purify our liver and maintain its proper function. Dandelion root has long been considered a "liver tonic" in folk medicine. Some studies have shown that this is partly due to its ability to increase the flow of bile.

According to various naturopaths, both tea and dandelion root can help detoxify the liver, skin and eye problems, and relieve symptoms of liver disease. A 2017 study suggested that the polysaccharides in dandelion may indeed be beneficial for liver function. [ref. 1] 

Dandelion tea and juice help people with diabetes by stimulating the production of insulin by the pancreas and keeping blood sugar levels low. If our pancreas does not produce adequate amounts of insulin or our cells cannot properly process insulin, it leads to type 1 or 2 diabetes. Because glucose is not used properly, it builds up in the blood and leads to high blood sugar levels.

To fight diabetes naturally, dandelion root prepared as a tea, infusion or tincture also helps the body remove excess sugar that is stored in it - because it is a diuretic. A study published in the Review of Diabetic Studies suggests the antidiabetic properties of dandelion have been attributed to bioactive chemical components, including cicoric acid and sesquiterpene lactones. 3

Another important advantage of dandelion is its high antioxidant properties. Studies have shown that antioxidants are substances that help prevent certain types of cell damage, especially those caused by oxidation. 

The body uses antioxidants to fight free radical damage, which is very dangerous for body tissues and has been linked to the development of cancer and premature aging. Fortunately, drinking dandelion root tea can help the body avoid cell damage from free radicals.

In fact, a study conducted in 2011 by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Windsor in Canada found that dandelion root extract was effective in killing various cancers as a result of its ability to fight free radicals. 4

In another study, it was noted that dandelion root extract influences colorectal cancer proliferation and survival by activating multiple signaling pathways for death. Phytochemical analyses of the extract showed a complex multicomponent composition of dandelion root extract, including some known bioactive phytochemicals such as α-amirin, β-amyrin, lupeol and taraxasterol. 5

Anticancer properties of dandelion root have been described in a number of studies, including potential anticancer effects in melanoma and prostate cancer:

• Effect of Methanolic Extract of Dandelion Roots on Cancer Cell Lines and AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway 6
• The Efficacy of Dandelion Root Extract in Inducing Apoptosis in Drug-Resistant Human Melanoma Cells 7
• Dandelion Root and Lemongrass Extracts Induce Apoptosis, Enhance Chemotherapeutic Efficacy, and Reduce Tumour Xenograft Growth In Vivo in Prostate Cancer 8

There is also a special project called "The Dandelion Root Project", which is dedicated to presenting scientific evidence for the safe and effective use of dandelion root extract and other natural health products to treat cancer. 9

There are not many documented side effects of drinking dandelion root tea (or dandelion consumption in general). The biggest effect you need to know about, however, is that dandelion is known for its diuretic properties. Therefore, it increases the frequency of urination, which can affect the kidneys.

Medications that may interact with dandelion include:

• Antacids
• Blood-thinning drugs
• Diuretics
• Ciproflaxin
• Drugs for the treatment of diabetes

Dandelions have the sharpest taste before the appearance of the first colors, when the plants are tender and young. Dandelion roots taste like turnips and are best dug up in early spring when prepared as a vegetable. Here are instructions for making fresh dandelion root

1. Dig the dandelions in early spring with the help of a shovel. Keep the main root of each plant intact.
2. Remove the greenery from the plants. You can eat the leaves of plants, uncooked as a green salad or stewed separately from the roots, in boiling water.
3. Rinse each dandelion root under cold water, removing all dirt. Check that there are no insects in each root.
4. Peel the outer shell from each main root with your fingers or knife. The skin has a bitter taste, so it is removed.
5. Cover the roots with water in a pan and let them boil on the stove. Reduce the heat and stew the roots. Check readiness by pricking one or two roots with a fork. When the fork easily enters the roots, they are ready. 
6. Drain the water from the roots of the dandelion, rinse them with warm water and serve. Season the roots as you would carrots and you are ready to consume them.

From the very beginning, we told you that dandelion root can be a great substitute for coffee. We present you the necessary steps for its preparation, it is necessary to have a food dehydrator:

1. Dig up a large pack of dandelion roots.
2. Wash the roots of dandelion as best as possible.
3. Cut dandelion roots into chip-like pieces.
4. Then arrange the pieces of root on the trays of your dehydrator. Let it dry for 60 minutes.
5. Cut the dried dandelion root into small pieces.
6. Arrange the pieces of root in a tray for and bake for 30 minutes at 90 degrees. The roots should turn brown and completely dried.
7. Let the dandelion root cool, then you need to finely grind the root and bake a second time in the oven for 5 minutes at 80 degrees. Then store in an airtight container.

For the preparation of a cup of coffee with dandelion root, do the following:

1. Put 6 tablespoons of ground dandelion coffee in 500 ml of boiling water and let it soak for 30 minutes. 
2. Strain into a saucepan and heat again to the desired temperature. Serve with milk and honey as desired.