Dandelion is not just a roadside weed flower as you think

Dandelions are more than just roadside weeds. In fact, they are considered “medicines” that can solve many different health problems

Dandelion, the scientific name is Lactuca indica L, is a fairly common plant in Asian countries, including Vietnam. They are also known by many different names such as dandelion, wild lettuce, wild lettuce, spearhead, maggot, and plowhead vegetable. A type of grass found on the roadside is considered an herb with a multitude of uses. Let’s find out why with increaseheightblog.com!

Learn more about dandelion

Dandelion is a plant native to Eurasia and North America and can be easily found as a roadside weed. This plant is thought to have evolved about 30 million years ago in Eurasia.

Their name comes from the French “dent-de-lion”, which roughly translates to “lion’s teeth”. The dandelion plant belongs to the Asteraceae family and is part of the species Taraxacum. They look like many small flowers clustered at the top.

The leaves of the plant are usually 5-25 cm long. The flower heads are usually yellow or white, open during the day and retract at night.

You may be familiar with this plant from the movies or know it as a stubborn weed. Many people try to get rid of dandelions as they grow in the yard, but they are actually a beneficial weed. They help transport nutrients and add minerals and nitrogen to the soil. It also attracts pollinators and releases ethylene gas which helps the fruit to ripen.

In traditional herbal medicine, dandelion is favored for its many medicinal properties. For centuries, they have been used to treat a multitude of physical ailments, including cancer, acne, liver disease, and digestive disorders.

Nutritional content in dandelion

In terms of nutritional content, dandelions are strong enough to join the rankings with the vegetables you grow.

From root to flower, this is a plant with high nutritional value, containing a lot of vitamins A, C, K, minerals and fiber. They also contain vitamin E, are rich in the carbohydrate inulin and small amounts of vitamin B. Dandelion roots are often dried and used as tea, but they can also be eaten whole.

According to USDA, for 55g you will get

• 24.7 calories
• 5.1g of carbohydrates
• 1.5g protein
• 0.4g fat
• 1.9 grams of fiber
• 428mg vitamin K
• 588 IU of vitamin A
• 19.3mg vitamin C
• 1.9mg vitamin E
• 103mg calcium
• 1.7mg iron
• 0.2 mg of manganese

Why is dandelion considered a precious herb?

Contains many powerful antioxidants

This may explain why this plant has such beneficial effects on health. Antioxidants are molecules that help neutralize or block the negative effects of free radicals. Free radicals are products of natural metabolism but can be harmful if overproduced. Therefore, antioxidants are essential to keep the body in balance.

Dandelion contains high levels of beta carotene, which is known to be a powerful antioxidant that fights cell damage and neutralizes free radicals. They are also rich in another type of antioxidant called polyphenols, which can be found in flowers, roots, leaves, and stems.

Helps the body fight inflammation

Inflammation is a natural response of your body to injury or disease. However, excessive inflammation can lead to permanent damage to the body.

Dandelion may be effective in reducing inflammation thanks to the presence of polyphenols in the plant. Several studies have shown a significant reduction in inflammatory markers in cells treated with polyphenol compounds.

Not only the flowers, the leaves also have their own uses and processing methods

Supports blood sugar control

Chicoric and chlorogenic acids are two bioactive compounds found in dandelion.

Scientists have shown that these compounds can improve insulin secretion from the pancreas while also improving glucose absorption in muscle tissue. This process will improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels.

Contribute to a healthy liver

Scientific studies have found that dandelion has a protective effect on the liver in the presence of toxic substances, such as acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is a commonly used pain reliever and fever reducer worldwide. But according to medical experts, acetaminophen used for a long time will be dangerous. In Canada, acetaminophen is the leading cause of liver damage.

When the body was exposed to a lot of acetaminophen, thanks to the antioxidant content of dandelion, the liver was significantly protected and the level of excess fat in the liver decreased.

Rich source of vitamin A

Vitamin A is important if you want to help maintain healthy eyes, nerve function, and skin. Vitamin A is also a strong antioxidant, supports the structure of tear duct epithelial cells, protects cell membranes against hypoxia, destroys free radicals and prevents the formation of chronic diseases.

Vitamin A deficiency can make the immune system and resistance weak, susceptible to respiratory, digestive and skin diseases. With just 55g of dandelion, you get 112% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin A.

Enhance bone health

Calcium is an important element in the human body. 99% of calcium exists in bones, teeth, nails and the remaining 1%. In addition, they are involved in nerve conduction, blood clotting, hormone regulation and muscle contraction.

With 55g of dandelion, you will get 19.3mg of calcium, which corresponds to 32% of the recommended daily intake. Therefore, drinking tea or eating leaves can help improve bone health and prevent calcium deficiency.

Very simple recipe

Dandelion flower tea

Ingredient:

• 8 dandelion flowers
• 350 ml boiling water
• Honey or sugar

Doing:

• Wash the flowers and put them in a tea pot
• Pour in boiling water and cover for about 5 minutes

Pour tea into a cup to enjoy, you can add honey or sugar as you like

Dandelion Salad

Ingredient:

• 100g is dandelion
• Rapeseed oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 onions
• 2 eggs
• 1 orange

Doing:

• Boil eggs, cut onions and eggs into thin slices
• Peel the oranges and separate them into wedges
• Take a small bowl, add canola oil and lemon juice and stir well
• In a large bowl, mix the dandelion leaves and onions, then mix with the canola oil and lemon mixture
• Remove to a plate and arrange eggs and orange slices on top

Reference source:

13 Potential Health Benefits of Dandelion https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/dandelion-benefits Accessed: 12/06/2020

3 delicious and novel recipes from dandelion greens https://www.dalatfinefoods.com/bep-cho-me/3-cong-thuc-lam-mon-an-tu-rau-bo- cong-anh-thom-ngon-moi-la-67.html Accessed date: 06/12/2020