Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Everything in the dandelion is edible: the flower and its buds, leaves, and roots. Health benefits and recipes.

Look at the dandelion and know that there is a God. | Photo Courtesy David W. Runyan III

Addendum February 17, 2024. I added

David W Runyan II

‘s photographs that show us of God's nature, which lead us to God's remedies.

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As a child, didn't we all enjoy blowing an innocent dandelion into the wind? Now we know that this majestic flower is much more than meets the eye.

We were too little to know that dandelion is not a weed ~ it is medicine. | Photo by Ivan Dostál on Unsplash

Dandelion is a quite multifunctional natural remedy. After reading this, maybe you’ll want to pick up some dandelion tea, or make some on your own.

Everything in the dandelion is edible: the flower and its buds, leaves, and roots.

Dandelion is also fat-soluble, like vitamin D and ivermectin, as well as vitamins A, D, E, and K. Take all with 30 gm fat, which is equal to a small avocado, a handful of nuts, and two eggs.

Dandelion flower, often pulled as a weed. Photo by Viridi Green on Unsplash

MEDICAL BENEFITS OF DANDELION

Antioxidant. Dandelions are a rich source of antioxidants.

Bone health. High in vitamin K at 500% USRDA, dandelion prevents bone loss by being more highly utilized for bone than calcium!

Diuretic. Unlike the big pharma furosemide or Lasix® which requires a large potassium pill to prevent life-threatening hypokalemia, dandelion causes fluid loss and conserves potassium.

Fiber. Excellent source of fiber.

Heart health. Natural diruetic effect may lower a high blood pressure.

Hypoglycemic. Lowers blood sugar, improves insulin sensitivity, controls carbohydrate digestion. Lowers cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart attack. Lowers blood pressure due to diuretic effect.

Liver health. Rids the body of toxic substances and protects the liver; may also reduce the storage of fat in the liver.

No one really knows dandelion’s best dosing guideline, but many use it as a tea or coffee, as well as adding fresh or dried leaves or roots.

Dandelion Root. A gut stimulant, supports digestion, liver, and gallbladder health. Relieves constipation. May relieve symptoms of enlarging cancers of the colon, liver, and pancreas. Fresh roots: 2 to 8 grams per day. Dried root powder: 250 to 1000 mg, up to four times per day.

Fresh Dandelion Leaves. As an aid to liver detox, digestion and is a diuretic, dandelion leaf may also reduce inflammation, lower blood sugar levels, improve skin health, and promote weight loss. It is high in vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, potassium, and iron. Fresh or dried leaves: 4 to 10 grams per day. Fresh leaf juice: 2 to 8 grams per day.

SIDE EFFECTS. Shares allergy with ragweed, so if you have pollen allergies, this may not be good for you. Contact rash may occur.

INTERACTIONS. May interact with antibiotics and have additive effects with diuretics.

EATING DANDELION

Greens: Quite nutritious but are bitter if eaten late in the spring after the flowers bloom. To relieve the bitterness, blanch in water. Add as a green to soups or stir-fry, sauté in olive oil, season with lemon juice.

Unopened flower buds: Boil, fry, or pickle.

Opened flower petals: Eat raw, cook, or make into a good wine.

Taproots: Harvest in late fall to early spring; season their mild flavor.

Dried roots: After dried, roast and grind. Makes a coffee-like drink.

FUN FACT ABOUT DANDELION:

Dandelions are so high in vitamin K that drinking dandelion tea may provide enough calcium to meet your USRDA. If you are on a prevention protocol of ivermectin 0.2 mg/kg twice a week, take with vitamins D and K. All three are both fat-soluble, so take with 30 gm fat, which is roughly equivalent to this meal: a small avocado, 3 eggs, and a handful of nuts.

DANDELION RECIPES

DANDELION ROOT COFFEE

1/2 tsp to 2 tsp dried, roasted dandelion root

1 cup boiling water

Add root to water, according to taste. Seep for 20 minutes. Strain.

For medicinal use, drink three cups per day. If desired, add milk to taste.

DANDELION LEAF TEA

1-2 teaspoons dried dandelion leaves

1 cup boiling water.

Add root to water, according to taste. Seep for 20 minutes. Strain.

For medicinal use, drink three cups per day. If desired, add milk to taste.

DANDELION BREAD

1 cup fresh dandelion flowers

Rinse flower heads well, swooshing in a bowl of water.

Chop into small pieces, separating petals from the flower. Green bits okay.

Chop into smaller pieces.

2 cups flour, finely chopped

3 tsp baking powder

1 egg

1/2 cup honey, preferably local honey with the honeycomb in it

3 tbps extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2  cup milk

Whisk.

Loaf pan,

Parchment paper.

Mix dry ingredients. Add baking powder and dandelion to flour.

In separate bowl, mix wet ingredients. Milk, egg, oil, and honey.

Whisk. The honey will not dissolve. Combine well. Use a whisk.

Add wet ingredients to dry. Combine well. Break up any clumps of dandelion.

Line loaf pan with parchment paper.

Pour dough into pan. It is thick.

Bake at 350F for 20 minutes.

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Dandelion Root

Dandelion root belongs to the Asteraceae family and is a herbaceous (soft and green, not woody stems) perennial (dies each year and comes back) plant that lives for more than two years.

The oldest documented use of dandelion root or Taraxacum officinale as a natural remedy is traced back to Arabian and Chinese herbal traditions, where it was used to treat digestive problems and other ailments. In Western herbal medicine, dandelion root has been used since the 16th century both as a diuretic and digestive aid.

Dandelion root extract is a concentrated form of dandelion root, obtained by extracting the active compounds from the root with water, alcohol, or other solvents. The extract is available in various forms, such as capsules, tinctures, and teas.

Today, dandelion root and extract are widely used as natural remedies for a variety of health conditions.

BENEFITS OF DANDELION ROOT

·      Appetite stimulant

·      Diabetes

·      Digestive aid

·      Diuretic: increases urine production and reduces fluid retention

·      Gallbladder aid

·      High blood pressure

·      Inflammation

·      Liver aid

·      Skin problems

The main beneficial effects of dandelion root and extract are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

·      Flavonoids

·      Phenolic acids

·      Terpenoids

Study 1: Dandelion Root for Prevention

In 2021, Tran et al. examined the ability of dandelion root extract to prevent spike protein from binding to ACE2 receptors in human kidney and lung cells grown in a laboratory petri dish. Dr. Peter McCullough described their results as “encouraging”, saying,

“Dandelion root extract efficiently inhibited the binding of the spike protein to ACE2 receptors in human cells.”

Study 2: Dandelion Root for Long COVID

In another laboratory experiment done in 2022, Tran et al. from the same lab did additional research that arrived at similar conclusions for lingering infection. After exposing the Omicron variant to Dandelion Root Extract for thirty minutes, they found it:

“was sufficient to block infection by 80%”.

The Bottom Line 

Dandelion root extract shows promise as a natural treatment against COVID-19 and its variants. These studies offer hope for a readily available, safe, and affordable therapy to help inhibit viral spread and treat Long-Haul symptoms. 

The Wellness Company’s Spike Support Formula contains the following ingredients:   

Spike Support Formula from Dr. Peter McCullough and The Wellness Company: Ingredients include:

·       Black sativa extract to help cellular repair.

·       Dandelion root to detox for better liver function.

·       Green tea extract for cellular defenses and scavenging for free radicals.

·       Irish sea moss that may rebuild damaged tissue and muscle.

·       Nattokinase to degrade spike protein.

·       Selenium to support blood vessel and immune system function.

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MAKE YOUR OWN DANDELION TEA FROM ROOTS OR LEAVES

Use either dandelion roots or leaves to make fresh tea. 

Dandelion Root Tea:

1. Harvest fresh dandelion roots from the plant. Wash and scrub to remove all dirt.

2. Cut the roots into small pieces and spread onto a baking sheet.

3. Roast the roots in the oven at 200°F (93°C) for about 2 hours, or until they are dry and brittle.

4. Crush the roasted roots into small pieces using a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder.

5. Place 1-2 teaspoons of the crushed roots into a tea infuser or a teapot.

6. Pour boiling water over the roots and let steep for 5-10 minutes.

7. Remove the tea infuser or strain the tea using a fine mesh strainer.

8. Add honey, lemon, or other flavorings as desired.

Dandelion Leaf Tea:

1. Harvest fresh dandelion leaves from the plant. Wash and scrub to remove dirt or debris.

2. Chop the leaves into small pieces.

3. Place 1-2 teaspoons of the chopped leaves into a tea infuser or a teapot.

4. Pour boiling water over the leaves and let steep for 5-10 minutes.

5. Remove the tea infuser or strain the tea using a fine mesh strainer.

6. Add honey, lemon, or other flavorings as desired.

Both dandelion root and leaf teas are known for their potential health benefits, such as supporting digestion, liver function, and reducing inflammation. However, it is important to note that some people may have allergic reactions or interact with medications, so it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional before consuming dandelion tea.

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REFERENCES

Diana Watkins. Wild edibles and herbs you can forage for or find around your house. Accessed May 1, 2023.

González-Castejón, M., & Visioli, F. (2018). Diverse biological activities of dandelion. Nutrition reviews, 76(4), 219-231.

Jeon, H. J., Kang, H. J., Jung, H. J., Kang, Y. S., Lim, C. J., Kim, Y. M., ... & Choi, M. S. (2008). Anti-inflammatory activity of Taraxacum officinale. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 115(1), 82-88.

Joseph Axe, MD. "Dandelion Tea Recipe: How to Make It and Its Benefits," from Healthline: https://draxe.com/nutrition/dandelion-tea/  and https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/dandelion-tea#recipe

Medee Greere. Kill cancer cells: dandelion root is able to kill 98% of cancer cells (video). May 3, 2023 (Accessed May 8, 2023). https://amg-news.com/kill-cancer-cells-dandelion-root-is-able-to-kill-98-of-cancer-cells/

Park, C. M., Youn, H. J., Lee, J. S., Choi, S. Y., Sarnaik, S., & Kim, J. K. (2010). Dandelion leaf extract protects against liver injury induced by methionine- and choline-deficient diet in mice. Journal of medicinal food, 13(3), 563-570.

Schütz, K., Carle, R., & Schieber, A. (2006). Taraxacum—a review on its phytochemical and pharmacological profile. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 107(3), 313-323.

The Wellness Company Blog. Dandelion Root: An ally in the fight against spike. April 16, 2023. https://www.twc.health/blogs/news/dandelion-root-an-ally-in-the-fight-against-spike

Tran, H. T. T., Gigl, M., Le, N. P. K., Dawid, C., & Lamy, E. (2021). In vitro effect of Taraxacum officinale leaf aqueous extract on the interaction between ACE2 cell surface receptor and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein D614 and four mutants. Pharmaceuticals, 14(10), 1055. 

Tran, H. T., Gigl, M., Dawid, C., & Lamy, E. (2022). Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) leaf extract efficiently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection in vitro. bioRxiv, 2022-12. 

Wellness Mama. How to Make Dandelion Root Tea. https://wellnessmama.com/5680/dandelion-root-tea/