More on Dandelion Herb Health Benefits

The dandelion herb is often regarded as an annoying weed which grows in gardens and farmlands. Yet, it is an herb of well-known health benefits and great antiquity.

Due to the varied healing properties and high nutritious content of the dandelion plant, it has become a subject of great interest for researchers, scientists, and herbalists the world over.

Dandelion plants have very high vitamin and mineral content. These include high levels of vitamin A, as well as decent amounts of various B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D, iron, magnesium, manganese, silicon and zinc.

Further, dandelion juice is said to be high in iron, calcium, potassium as well as vitamin C and vitamin E. It is also said to have good amounts of carotenes.

Mixed with other juices, such as that of stinging nettle and watercress, dandelion juice is useful for cleansing and detoxification. This is carried out in Germany, where it is used together with dietary changes to improve liver and gallbladder function.

The main constituents in the dandelion herb which account for its health benefits on the liver and digestive system are the bitter compounds sesquiterpene lactones of the eudesmanolide and germacranolide type.

The bitter substances in dandelion root and leaves play a part in stimulating the digestive system. They also act as mild laxatives.

In addition, these bitter compounds stimulate increased bile production in the gallbladder, as well as increased bile flow in the liver. This helps to cleanse and detoxify the liver and improve sluggish liver function. Increased bile flow also helps to improve fat metabolism in the human body.

The dandelion herb is known to be a powerful diuretic. In fact, an animal study showed dandelion to be as effective as certain diuretic prescription drugs. However, this dandelion fact has not been validated in human studies.

As a diuretic, dandelion can be used alone. The Romans were said to have called the dandelion plant "Herba urinaria", although that was said to have been a result of consuming high doses of several ounces per day; low doses of about 2 ounces or 60ml a day should generally be okay.

Documented research indicates that dandelion root might be probiotic in nature and therefore work towards healthy functioning of the natural bacteria present in the gastrointestinal tract.

Laboratory studies conducted on animals indicate that the dandelion herb might help normalize blood glucose levels as well as reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol; this was observed in diabetic mice. While these studies may not be definitive, they are nonetheless indicative of certain properties present in dandelions.

More information on various dandelion benefits on health are discussed in the other related dandelion articles.

Dandelion Pages | History and Traditional Uses of the Dandelion Plant | Interesting Facts on Dandelion | Dandelion Benefits on Health | More on Health Benefits of Dandelion Herb | Dandelion Recipes to Obtain its Health Benefits | Possible Dandelion Side Effects, Precautions and Contraindications

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