In numerous previous posts, we have presented almost all of the most important nutrients for the proper functioning of the human body, primarily vitamins and trace elements. It is also worth learning about the best ways to replenish their deficiencies in the body, especially with the help of herbal medicine. One of the plants we will present first is dandelion, which has a wide range of health effects, but unfortunately, is still relatively little known and appreciated.

Before we address the composition, effects, advantages and disadvantages of dandelion, we should first learn a little more about phytotherapy itself, or herbal medicine, gaining increasing popularity. Under this name is one of the oldest fields of natural medicine, involving the use of herbs and plants with proven medicinal properties.

They grow commonly in our gardens, forests or meadows, you just need to know which ones you can use to even create your own home herbal medicine cabinet yourself. However, this will require specialized knowledge, preferably completion of relevant courses, and if you are not familiar with the plants, you can always buy ready-made mixtures from a pharmacy or herbal store. Among the most important advantages of herbalism are:

Now that we know why you should regularly use herbal treatments to improve your health, it’s time to learn more about the dandelion and finally appreciate all its medicinal properties. Dandelion (Tarxacum officinale), also called dandelion, is a plant that grows throughout our country, having intense yellow flowers with long, narrow petals. The lanceolate-shaped leaves are from 10 to 25 cm long, and the dandelion’s first flowering period is from April to July, with a second one often occurring in the fall.

It is also known as blowfly, because after flowering it forms seeds equipped with white fibers, threads that facilitate their transmission by the wind. It is commonly considered a weed, mercilessly exterminated, although this attitude has recently begun to change and is increasingly used for medicinal purposes, including as an ingredient in many dietary supplements. The use for this very purpose is primarily:

It’s also worth remembering that it’s a mistake to call it dandelion, as it’s a different plant species, despite having almost the same external appearance. Dandelion also has multiple health-promoting effects that ordinary dandelion does not have. If we want to distinguish it, the main difference is several stalks coming out of the same place and lacking hairiness.

Herbal medicine is based on the chemical composition of all plants and herbs that are used in this variety of alternative medicine. The dandelion itself was known as far back as ancient Greece and Rome, although at that time no thought was given to what active compounds it contained, it was simply evaluated for its positive effects on the human body.

Modern science has meant that we are already able to distinguish and describe all the substances that are included in the included in the above-mentioned parts of the dandelion, which owes its healing properties to the presence of:

If a plant boasts such a rich composition, this usually automatically translates into equally rich medicinal properties. This is also the case with dandelion, positively affecting practically the entire body, and among its most important health properties we can include:

One of the causes of our ill-being and deteriorating health can be an excess of toxins and unnecessary metabolic products deposited in internal systems and organs. This becomes not only the cause of severe allergic reactions, but also more serious diseases, problems with the functioning of the digestive system, heart and circulatory system or increased risk of overweight and obesity.

A recommended remedy for effective detoxification of the body are extracts made from dandelions. Its action in this particular matter boils down to:

Related to the dandelion’s cleansing function and its diuretic action, and particularly beneficial here are extracts whose primary ingredient is the leaves of this plant. It can be used to help relieve the symptoms of urinary ailments, inflammation of the renal glomeruli, ureters, or bladder.

At the same time, it supports the work of the kidneys, increasing the seepage process in the glomeruli, removes edema, supports the treatment of gout, prevents excessive leaching of potassium from the body.

One of the cornerstones of our health is undoubtedly a well-functioning immune system, the production of an adequate amount of antibodies to cope with various viral, bacterial or fungal infections of the body. Phytotherapy specialists recommend dandelion for this very purpose, especially during convalescence, when the body is significantly weakened, and during periods of seasonal infections, especially cold and flu.

Dandelion is also a natural prebiotic thanks to its content of inulin, an easily soluble variety of dietary fiber. Its task in this role is primarily to fight pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli, Salmonella, or Candida, for example, by increasing the number of bacteria that positively affect health.

Another increasingly common use of dandelion is to counteract rapid fluctuations in blood glucose levels. This is a very dangerous condition, in some cases even life-threatening, so it must be counteracted, both when sugar levels are higher and lower than the prescribed norms.

The factor that makes this possible again is inulin, which has the ability to regulate the body’s carbohydrate metabolism and thus inhibit fluctuations in sugar levels. It also lowers the glycemic index of many foods and inhibits the over-absorption of the glucose they provide.

Maintaining good digestion also requires supporting this process, preferably with natural specifics, such as extracts from various parts of the dandelion, and used regularly:

It is worth appreciating not only the strictly medicinal effect, but also the cosmetic effect of dandelion, which is used in many cosmetics for daily skin care, used for all skin types. Its action in this regard is multi-level and boils down to, among other things: