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All About Dandelion Tincture
Updated: Jan 23
Let me begin by saying that I am in no way offering medical advice, the opinions expressed are entirely my own.
While most folks consider the dandelion a pesky weed, those that study folk medicine appreciate it for its health benefits. All parts of the plant are edible and can be used to make teas, tinctures, salads, and more.
With the onset of the Covid pandemic, I have spent countless hours researching natural remedies and ways to fight against it and dandelion tincture is another bullet in our arsenal. The plant contains terpenes, phenolics including coumarins flavonoids, and polysaccharides. The most abundant phenolic compound is chicoric acid. The roots contain an abundance of the non-soluble polysaccharide inulin. In a recent study, it found that the extract reduced the viral entry into cells and cell surface binding in certain tissues like the lungs. In the future, natural compounds like dandelion extract could pave the way for safe, effective anti-viral therapeutics.
Because tinctures are easy to use, BCLF has created one using both the greens and roots of the plant, and below you’ll learn additional reasons why this pesky weed is pretty amazing.
Nutritional Profile
One cup of chopped dandelion greens contains approximately:
24.7 calories
5.1 grams carbohydrates
1.5 grams protein
0.4 gram fat
1.9 grams fiber
428 micrograms vitamin K (535 percent DV)
5,588 international units vitamin A (112 percent DV)
19.3 milligrams vitamin C (32 percent DV)
103 milligrams calcium (10 percent DV)
1.7 milligrams iron (9 percent DV)
1.9 milligrams vitamin E (9 percent DV)
0.2 milligram manganese (9 percent DV)
Dandelion greens also contain a small amount of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and copper.
Benefits of Dandelion Greens:
Promote Eye Health
Loaded with vitamin A dandelion greens can help keep your eyes healthy and promote better vision.
Decrease Water Weight
Dandelion greens contain natural diuretic properties.
Aid in Weight Loss
Low in calories and a good amount of fiber, dandelion greens may help you feel full. The greens also contain a lipase inhibitor, an enzyme secreted by the pancreas that breaks down fat molecules. By inhibiting lipases release, a study found that dandelion tincture slashed pancreatic lipase activity by 86%, leading to greater excretion of fat.
Lower Triglycerides
By inhibiting the secretion of lipase, consuming dandelion tincture may lower triglyceride levels.
Protect the liver
Similar to the dandelion root, greens have been shown to prevent oxidative damage, reduce inflammation, and liver damage. Eating high antioxidant foods like dandelion could help reduce the damage of free radicals and prevent liver disease.
Benefits of Dandelion Root
Prevents UTI
Since the roots act as a natural diuretic, you can prevent and treat UTI’s
Improve liver health
Like the greens, the roots help reduce oxidative stress and have been used as a liver detox.
Reduces water weight and promotes weight loss
Like the greens, the roots act as a natural diuretic, and don’t forget about lipase.
May help prevent drug-resistant melanoma cells from replicating.
Better Digestion
The tea was traditionally used to help with digestive disorders like poor appetite, chronic constipation, minor stomach upsets, however, no studies have been performed yet to prove if this is true.
Diabetes Prevention
The antioxidants found in the roots can help with diseases linked to inflammation like diabetes, but this is based on traditional medicine.
Treat Anemia
Anemia is a blood disorder caused by low iron levels in our diet. Dandelion root is rich in iron and vitamin C which is important for iron absorption.
Lowers Bad Cholesterol
The same as the greens, the roots have been shown to lower bad cholesterol in some animal studies.
Improves Blood health
Dandelion root is considered to be a natural tonic, alleviating blood acidity. The optimal sodium content of dandelion root can also improve blood health by improving mineral absorption.
Antioxidant Protection
Being a rich source of a potent antioxidant, dandelion root can also protect against free radical damage. Free radicals can cause oxidative stress in the body which is associated with many diseases.
Lowers Blood Pressure
The diuretic effect of dandelion root has a direct effect on blood pressure, it is also rich in potassium.
Better Gallbladder Health
The root boosts bile production and also reduces whole-body inflammation which can improve overall gallbladder functioning and reduce the risk of gallstones.
Natural Pain Relief
The antioxidants and fatty acids in dandelion root extract can also be said to reduce inflammation in the body, and this, in turn, can provide significant pain relief after consistent use.
Stronger Immune System
Some also believe that dandelion roots can boost immune system functioning. This is also likely to be due to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action of dandelion root.
Depression Treatment
Depression is a complex disease that may be partially a result of nutritional deficiencies and inflammation. Dandelion root is a rich source of mood-enhancing B vitamins, and its anti-inflammatory effect can also provide depression relief.
Protection Against Microbes
A study published in the Journal of the University of South China found that dandelion helps kill bacteria that were resistant to antibiotic treatment.
Healthy Skin
Because dandelion root is so high in antioxidants that it will show up on the skin and can be helpful for acne, rosacea, and eczema.
As you can see, the dandelion is a pretty phenomenal plant, and while I am NOT giving any form of medical advice, I think it’s worth our attention and consideration as a natural, remedy.
Sources
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210323/Dandelion-extract-inhibits-SARS-CoV-2-in-vitro.aspx
https://www.webmd.com/diet/dandelion-tea-is-it-good-for-you#1
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21234313/
https://draxe.com/nutrition/dandelion-greens/