Content
- 1 What does a dandelion look like?
- 2 Chemical composition and value of dandelion leaves and flowers
- 3 What diseases does dandelion help with?
- 4 What are the benefits of dandelion for the human body?
- 5 The use of dandelion in folk medicine
- 6 Recipes for healing decoctions and infusions
- 7 How to properly use dandelion infusions and decoctions
- 8 Restrictions and contraindications
- 9 Conclusion
The medicinal properties and contraindications of dandelion are an important topic for fans of traditional medicine.An ordinary pharmaceutical dandelion can help cure many ailments; you just need to know what products to prepare from it and how to use them.
What does a dandelion look like?
According to the plant description, dandelion is a herb from the Asteraceae family, capable of reaching from 10 to 30 cm in height. It has a long and powerful vertical root, leaves dissected in shape, diverging from the basal rosette.
The easiest way to recognize a dandelion is during the flowering period, when it pleases the eye with bright yellow flowers collected in rosettes, and then begins to bear fruit; in place of the flowers, achenes with white tufts appear. Any gust of wind tears these tufts from the head of the plant, and the seeds are carried far across the surrounding area.
Where does dandelion grow?
The plant is characterized by its increased unpretentiousness, so it can be found almost all over the world. In Russia, the grass grows in the middle zone and in Siberia and the Far East; dandelions also grow in Europe and Central Asia, China and other countries.
The dandelion chooses almost any place as its habitat; it can be seen both in wet meadows and forest glades, and in dry fields and wastelands. The plant is often found near homes and within the city, and in summer cottages it is one of the most stubborn weeds.
When dandelions bloom
Dandelion blooms twice per season - in April-May and at the end of September or early August. It is recommended to harvest the leaves of the plant in the spring, when they contain the most useful substances, and the flowers can be collected in both spring and summer.
How is dandelion used by humans?
A simple and very common plant, it is widely used for medicinal, cosmetic and culinary purposes. Medicinal decoctions and infusions are prepared from it; fresh plant juice has a good healing effect. Crushed flowers and leaves are used for beauty care; dandelion has a powerful restorative effect on skin and hair.
In Europe, India and the USA, the plant is used as a food green or leafy vegetable. Clean leaves of the plant are consumed both raw and after heat treatment; the leaves not only give dishes an interesting taste, but also increase their benefits. Most often the plant is used in salads; it goes well with most vegetables.
What parts of the plant are used in dandelion for treatment?
All parts of the dandelion have a rich chemical composition and beneficial properties. The plant can be used for medicinal purposes from the root to the flowers, but it is the leaves and yellow flowers of the perennial that have the greatest value.
Chemical composition and value of dandelion leaves and flowers
The modest plant contains a huge amount of valuable substances in its composition. The leaves and flowers contain:
- copper, phosphorus, calcium and iron;
- manganese;
- polysaccharides;
- sucrose;
- tannins and essential oils;
- ascorbic acid and other organic acids;
- vitamins A and E;
- vitamins K and B2;
- vitamin PP;
- carotenoids and waxes;
- glycosides and alcohols;
- resins and sterols;
- cellulose.
Dandelion contains the most carbohydrates - about 5.7 g. The perennial plant contains 2.7 g of proteins, and fats occupy only 0.7 g of the total volume. Dandelion is extremely low in calories, its green parts contain only 45 kcal per 100 g.
What diseases does dandelion help with?
Thanks to its rich composition, the plant is beneficial for a wide variety of ailments. Medicinal products based on it strengthen the body’s natural forces and help fight acute and chronic diseases.
Benefits of dandelion flowers
The bright yellow flowers of the plant are not only very beautiful in appearance, they contain a large supply of vitamins and minerals. Using dandelion flowers you can:
- cope with insomnia and normalize the state of the nervous system;
- help cure liver diseases;
- eliminate hemorrhoids;
- reduce blood pressure in hypertension;
- eliminate unpleasant symptoms of flatulence;
- cope with colds, coughs and runny nose.
The healing properties and contraindications of dandelion flowers are valued in cosmetology. Flower-based products are used to treat the skin; dandelion helps even out the complexion and make freckles and age spots less noticeable.
Benefits of dandelion leaves
The composition of the plant's leaves is almost identical to that of the flowers, but the leaves contain increased amounts of phosphorus and protein. The foliage has pronounced anti-inflammatory and anti-scorbutic properties, so it helps with:
- vitamin deficiency;
- colds, bronchitis and lung infections;
- skin ailments - dermatitis and eczema;
- nervous system disorders;
- kidney and liver diseases.
Leaves can serve as cancer prevention. Since they contain a lot of antioxidants and flavonoids, when using products based on them, the immune system is strengthened and cellular metabolism is accelerated, thus reducing the likelihood of developing tumors.
What are the benefits of dandelion for the human body?
If we summarize all the beneficial properties of dandelion for the human body, we can derive several valuable effects. Leaves and flowers of the plant:
- have antiviral, diaphoretic and diuretic effects;
- have laxative and choleretic properties;
- have an antispasmodic and calming effect;
- can serve as a natural expectorant;
- help with fungal and infectious diseases;
- relieve inflammation;
- reduce cholesterol levels and prevent the development of atherosclerosis.
The plant has a beneficial effect on joint diseases. Internal and external use of products from this plant relieves inflammatory processes in arthritis, osteochondrosis and rheumatism, reduces tissue swelling and reduces pain.
The healing properties of dandelion for men
The valuable properties of dandelion for the male body are well known in folk medicine. The plant is considered a “male” herb because it has a beneficial effect on potency and improves libido.
With its regular use, the likelihood of developing prostate diseases also decreases. The liver and blood vessels are cleansed, which is also important for men who have reached middle age.
Medicinal properties and contraindications of dandelion for women
For women, dandelion leaves and flowers are useful not only for their cosmetic properties. The plant has a very positive effect on the reproductive system. In particular, dandelion improves the condition during menstruation and normalizes the menstrual cycle, calms the nerves and helps get rid of insomnia.
The leaves of the plant are allowed to be consumed as a decoction during pregnancy.In consultation with your doctor, the leaves can strengthen the body if there is a threat of miscarriage; the plant reduces the risk of miscarriage. It is useful to take plant-based products during breastfeeding as dandelion stimulates the production of breast milk and improves lactation.
Therefore, before using plant-based products, you should consult your doctor and make sure that dandelion leaves will bring benefits and not harm.
The use of dandelion in folk medicine
The medicinal properties and uses of dandelion are very extensive; home recipes recommend using the leaves and flowers for many ailments. But since the plant can cause both benefit and harm, it is necessary to take a competent approach to its use and preparation.
In what form is dandelion used for treatment?
For medicinal purposes, the plant is used in several forms.
- Fresh dandelion. A freshly harvested plant retains the maximum supply of valuable substances and brings great benefits to the body. Fresh dandelion contains a high amount of vitamins, especially vitamin C, and supplies the body with mineral elements and organic acids. It should be remembered that the health benefits and harms of dandelion leaves depend on the environmental cleanliness of the plant; the dandelion must grow in an unpolluted area and not accumulate any harmful substances in its composition.
- Dried dandelion. Since fresh raw materials are not stored for a long time, dandelions are usually dried for long-term storage.To do this, leaves and flowers are laid out in a thin layer on a flat surface in the open air and dried in the shade until the moisture has completely evaporated. The supply of vitamins and valuable minerals in the leaves is almost completely preserved, since the plant is not exposed to high temperatures.
Another profitable way to preserve healthy raw materials is to freeze dandelion leaves and flowers in the freezer. The advantage of this method is the complete preservation of all valuable substances in the herb.
Can you eat dandelion leaves?
Dandelion is one of the few plants that does not contain toxic compounds. Therefore, dandelion leaves are eaten even raw, for example, as part of salads or side dishes for main courses. You can also steam the leaves or boil them as part of a soup - this will remove the slight bitterness present in the taste.
Health benefits come only from leaves collected in areas with a clean environment and washed thoroughly before use. It is not recommended to chew the leaves of the plant immediately after collection; they may contain dirt, dust and harmful substances.
Recipes for healing decoctions and infusions
Infusions and decoctions of water are mainly prepared from dandelion flowers and leaves. In specific recipes, the cooking algorithm may differ, but there are general rules for brewing green parts of the plant.
How to brew correctly
A good natural choleretic, decongestant, sedative and blood purifying agent is a decoction of the leaves and flowers of the plant. It is prepared like this:
- crushed leaves and flowers in the amount of 1 small spoon are poured into a glass of boiling water;
- the raw materials are boiled for about 2 minutes;
- under a closed lid, the broth is infused for another half hour;
- the finished product is filtered.
The drink is usually taken three times a day, half a glass, preferably on an empty stomach. The decoction is beneficial for constipation and flatulence, diabetes and hemorrhoids.
Another useful remedy based on dandelion is a healing infusion. You can prepare it in several ways.
- Cold cooking. About 2 small spoons of crushed leaves and flowers are poured into 250 ml of cold water, covered with a lid and put in a cool place for 8 hours, and then filtered. Drink 1 large spoon of cold infusion four times a day on an empty stomach; the drink is especially beneficial for stomach inflammation and digestive disorders.
- Hot cooking. The raw material in the amount of 1 large spoon is poured with a glass of boiling water, and then covered and left for only 1 hour. The finished infusion is filtered and drunk a quarter glass up to 4 times a day on an empty stomach.
Both dried and fresh dandelion leaves are suitable for preparing infusions and decoctions; in both cases, the drinks are very healthy.
How to properly use dandelion infusions and decoctions
You need to use the healing properties of dandelion in recipes in accordance with proven algorithms, then they will be beneficial. Traditional medicine offers many options for the treatment of various ailments.
For cardiovascular diseases
The healing properties of dandelion infusion and its leaves help to recover faster after a heart attack or stroke. A large spoonful of leaves must be brewed in a glass of boiling water and left for 1-2 hours, and then filtered.
Drink a quarter glass of the medicine on an empty stomach; in total, you need to take the medicine four times a day. The medicinal infusion will also be beneficial as a preventive measure; it will help prevent the development of dangerous ailments.
For hypertension
For chronically high blood pressure, it is recommended to prepare such a remedy: pour 2 large spoons of dandelion leaves into a glass of hot water, simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, and then filter. Take the decoction three times a day, 1 large spoon; the remedy will bring the greatest benefit if you drink it on an empty stomach.
To improve digestion
For sluggish digestion and chronic pancreatitis, a cold infusion based on dandelion leaves helps well. A large spoonful of leaves is poured into 500 ml of cold water, kept covered for 10 hours, and then filtered.
You need to drink the infusion 4 to 6 times a day on an empty stomach, a single serving should be a quarter of a glass.
For insomnia
The calming properties of dandelion are good for insomnia and anxiety disorders of the nervous system. The flowers and leaves of the plant in the amount of 2 large spoons should be poured with 250 ml of hot water and simmered over low heat for a quarter of an hour.After this, the dandelion is infused for half an hour under a lid and filtered, and then drunk three times a day, 1 large spoon on an empty stomach.
For a sore throat
Dandelion leaves and flowers are good for inflammatory processes in the throat. To quickly cure a sore throat, it is useful to gargle with ordinary decoctions and infusions several times a day; before use, it is better to warm them up to a warm state.
Fresh juice of dandelion leaves also benefits. The raw materials must be washed thoroughly, and then simply chewed for several minutes - the healing juice from the leaves can relieve inflammation of the mucous membranes of the throat.
For anemia
The vitamin composition of dandelion leaves provides significant benefits for vitamin deficiency and anemia. For medicinal purposes, you can use a classic decoction of the plant, or you can brew a weak tea from the leaves; in this case, pour a small spoonful of dry raw material into a glass of boiling water and leave for just a few minutes. Dandelion-based drinks raise the overall tone of the body, improve blood counts and increase strength.
Restrictions and contraindications
The medicinal properties and contraindications of dandelion leaves are determined by the individual state of health of a person. Drinking plant-based drinks is not recommended if:
- exacerbation of gastritis and peptic ulcer;
- blockage of the bile ducts and gallstones;
- allergies to dandelions or individual components in the leaves of the plant.
You should also not overdose on healthy drinks. Dandelion treatment must be carried out strictly according to prescriptions; in excessive quantities, the leaves and flowers of the plant lead to vomiting, diarrhea and skin rashes.
Conclusion
The medicinal properties and contraindications of dandelion complement each other, but mainly the medicinal plant is beneficial. With proper use of leaves and flowers, you can get rid of many ailments; dandelion-based drinks are especially useful for digestive problems, inflammation and colds.
