Here’s What Dandelion Roots Can Do For You: Digestion, Blood Flow, Eyesight And Much More

If you’ve been pulling up and tossing aside dandelions, stop. You’re basically throwing away one of nature’s greatest gifts to human health. This humble plant has rightfully earned its place in traditional Chinese and Arabic medicine thanks to its ability to stimulate and cleanse the body.

And according to herbalists, dandelion roots can do all that and much more:

1. Dandelion roots help the liver detoxify

The role of our liver is to produce bile, which helps enzymes in the body break down fats into fatty acids and to filter and detoxify our blood. The liver also breaks down and store amino acids, synthesize and metabolize fats and cholesterol, store glucose, and regulate our internal functions.

Dandelion roots contain taraxacerin, a bitter compound which increases bile production. Doing this not only eases stress and congestion on the liver, but it also makes the liver healthier overall. A healthy liver is one that is less prone to various diseases and disorders like liver cirrhosis and cancer.

2. Dandelion roots improve blood flow

Dandelion roots contain potassium, which improves and regulates blood pressure by balancing out the negative effects of sodium. Moreover, potassium assists the kidney in filtering blood. Being diuretic in nature, dandelion roots increase urination both in quantity and frequency. Therefore, it helps to lower high blood pressure. Dandelion roots also play a role in stimulating blood circulation as well thanks to their vitamin K content.

3. Dandelion roots soothe the digestive system

Not only do dandelion roots have fiber, but they contain sesquiterpene lactones as well. Both nutrients are effective against poor digestion; sesquiterpene lactones, in particular, make dandelion roots dependable natural remedies against irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastritis, acid reflux, dyspepsia, and other digestive ailments.

4. Dandelion roots maintain good eyesight

Vitamin A is necessary for avoiding poor vision and developing conditions like age-related macular degeneration, night blindness or cataracts. Thankfully, dandelion roots have an abundance of this all-important vitamin. In fact, just one cup of dandelion has over 100 percent of the daily value of vitamin A.

5. Dandelion roots help out the gallbladder

If you have gallstones then dandelion roots are for you. The compounds in dandelion roots break down gallstones to make it easier for your body to flush them out. In addition, they can prevent the formation of gallstones.

6. Dandelion roots reduce inflammation

With their high content of antioxidants, phytonutrients, and essential fatty acids, dandelion roots do amazingly well in reducing inflammation throughout the body. If you’ve got muscle spasms or gout, then you should definitely have dandelion roots as part of your pantry.

7. Dandelion roots protect the lungs

The whole dandelion root is loaded with free radical-eliminating antioxidants, the roots included. These antioxidants can do your lungs good by keeping them less prone to lung infections and disorders.

8. Dandelion roots do wonders for the skin

The milky white substance that you get on your fingers when you break a dandelion stem is actually great for your skin! The sap of a dandelion stem is highly alkaline, and it has germicidal, insecticidal and fungicidal properties. You can also use the sap to relieve itching or irritation from eczema, ringworm, psoriasis and other skin infections.

So now that you know how beneficial dandelion roots are, you might be wondering how to use them. By keeping it simple and taking them as a tea, of course. If your local grocery or health food store has some organic dandelion root tea available then you should purchase some boxes and brew yourself a nice cup.

Those who prefer a more personal approach can step outside and check their backyards for dandelions. With the plants and roots in hand, here’s what you need to do to make your own dandelion root tea:

Separate the roots from the rest of the plant, then wash them thoroughly under running water.
Chop the roots, leaves, and flowers.
Pour a quart of drinking water into a saucepan then bring to a boil.
Add in a teaspoon of chopped dandelion roots. Cover the saucepan and let it simmer in medium heat for a minute.
Remove the saucepan from the heat then set it aside, letting the dandelion roots steep for about 40 minutes.
Strain the water into a cup and enjoy.
Whether you buy it from a store or brew your own, you’re drinking to and for good health.