What Are the Benefits of Dandelion Root?
Dandelion, a member of the daisy family and considered a blight on the suburban landscape, is not only edible and surprisingly tasty, but highly nutritious. Its flowers flavor wine, and the leaves, which have a bitter, chicory-like flavor, are eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable. Dandelion root, which you can consume as a supplement or include as part of your diet, offers particular health benefits.
Dandelion root might help prevent or treat skin cancer, according to a tissue culture study published in the December 2011 issue of "Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine." Researchers exposed drug-resistant human melanoma cells and healthy skin cells to dandelion root extract and observed that dandelion root promoted early cell death in the cancer cells but did not harm healthy cells. In a study published in the January 2011 "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" dandelion root extract inhibited human leukemia cells. Dandelion root extract was safe when tested on healthy blood cells, in this study.
Liver-protective benefits of dandelion root were demonstrated in a study published in the June 2010 issue of "Acta Biologica Hungarica." In the animal study, dandelion root extract prevented liver enzymes from becoming elevated -- a sign of stress on the liver -- in response to a liver toxin. Dandelion root-treated animals developed fewer areas of scarring and tissue damage in the liver compared to a control group that did not receive dandelion root extract. Additionally, dandelion root extract helped prevent depletion of antioxidant enzymes. These preliminary results indicate that dandelion root may promote healthy liver function and help protect the liver from damaging effects of certain toxins.
Dandelion root might help lower cholesterol levels, according to a study published in the January 2010 "International Journal of Molecular Sciences." In the animal study, high-cholesterol diets were supplemented with dandelion root for 4 weeks. Results showed that dandelion root significantly decreased levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, the bad form of cholesterol. Dandelion root also improved activity of antioxidant enzymes, preventing cholesterol from becoming oxidized, a process that promotes inflammation and arterial plaque formation.
Culinary and Supplement Uses
Harvesting dandelion root is as easy as digging them up your garden or anyplace you find them growing that is free of chemical lawn treatments or other toxic chemicals. You can also obtain dandelion root in dried form, as a tincture or liquid extract. Consume dandelion root by extracting the juice from the fresh root or enjoy it sauteed with onions and garlic. Roasted dandelion root is also used to make a coffee-like beverage. Simply roast and grind it, then brew it as you would tea. Ice cream made with roasted dandelion root takes on a slightly bitter, coffee-like flavor.
Dandelion root is included on the FDA's list of substances generally recognized as safe. However, it may increase bile secretion and you should not consume dandelion root if you have gallbladder disease or bile duct obstruction. Also avoid dandelion root if you take a diuretic or blood sugar-lowering drug. If you are allergic to chamomile or yarrow, you may also develop an allergic reaction to dandelion root.
- Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: The Efficacy of Dandelion Root Extract in Inducing Apoptosis in Drug-Resistant Human Melanoma Cells
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology: Selective Induction of Apoptosis Through Activation of Caspase-8 in Human Leukemia Cells (Jurkat) by Dandelion Root Extract
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences: Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant Effects of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Root and Leaf on Cholesterol-Fed Rabbits
- Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs; Claire Kowalchik, William H. Hylton and Anna Carr
- Evergreen State College: Dandelion
- NYU Langone Medical Center: Dandelion
- The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth about What You Should Eat and Why; Jonny Bowden ...
- Acta Biologica Hungarica: Hepatocurative Potential of Sesquiterpene Lactones of Taraxacum Officinale on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Liver Toxicity in Mice
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