Zeljko Serdar
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Dandelions fight a number of cancers.
They might not be welcome in your yard, but it turns out that dandelions have tremendous potential when it comes to helping people who are suffering from cancer. Despite their many potential benefits, dandelion plants and supplements shouldn’t be considered a replacement for a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. In fact, research on specific applications is lacking — especially in humans. Still, if you eat its greens, roots, and flowers in their whole form — in salads, baked dishes, sides, and snacks — this root vegetable makes a unique, nutritious addition to your diet. If you would like to take dandelion as a supplement, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional first.
Highly nutritious
From root to flower, dandelions are highly nutritious plants loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Dandelion greens can be eaten cooked or raw and are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K. They also contain vitamin E, folate, and small amounts of other B vitamins.
What’s more, dandelion greens provide a substantial amount of several minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
The root of the dandelion is rich in the carbohydrate inulin, a type of soluble fiber found in plants that supports the growth and maintenance of healthy gut bacteria in your digestive tract.
Dandelion root is often dried and made into tea, but you can also eat it whole as you do other root vegetables.
SUMMARY
The nutritional content of dandelion extends to all parts of the plant. Dandelion is a rich source of fiber and many vitamins and minerals.
Chemo-resistant melanoma is now the most common type of cancer affecting Americans aged 25 to 29. The only option doctors can presently offer these patients is surgery to remove the tumor and its surroundings, followed by immunotherapy, which does not usually work when the melanoma has metastasized.
However, all that looks set to change, thanks to a humble plant that many people pull out of their gardens and throw away. At the University of Windsor in Ontario, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has shown that dandelion root extract can cause human melanoma cells to essentially kill themselves without leading to any type of toxicity. In fact, their initial study saw cancer cells disintegrating within 48 hours, while healthy cells remained unaffected. The study was led by Professor Siyaram Pandey, Ph.D.
Contains potent antioxidants
Dandelion is full of potent antioxidants, which may explain many of its medicinal properties.
Antioxidants are compounds that help neutralize free radicals — molecules that are a product of normal metabolism but contribute to chronic disease risk if levels get too high in your body. Therefore, antioxidants are crucial for keeping your body healthy.
Dandelions contain high levels of the antioxidant beta-carotene, which may protect against cell damage and oxidative stress.
They’re also rich in another type of antioxidant called polyphenols, which are found mostly in the flower but occur in the roots, leaves, and stems as well (4Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
Dandelions are a rich source of beta-carotene and polyphenol compounds, both of which may neutralize harmful free radicals and protect against chronic disease.
These promising results prompted the non-profit organization Mitacs to reach out to AOR Inc., a Calgary company that produces natural health products, in order to develop a dandelion tea powder that is significantly stronger than that found in health food stores. They accomplish this by milling dandelion root, creating an extract from it, and then freeze-drying it into a powder that patients dissolve into hot water and then drink.
May help fight inflammation
Dandelion may reduce inflammation, thanks to certain compounds such as polyphenols.
Inflammation is a normal immune system response to injury or infection. However, long-term inflammation may lead to permanent damage to your body’s tissues and DNA.
Some test-tube studies note significantly reduced markers of inflammation in cells treated with compounds extracted from dandelion.
One study in mice with inflammatory lung disease showed a significant reduction of lung inflammation in those that received dandelion.
Still, human research is needed.
SUMMARY
Limited animal and test-tube research suggests that dandelion has anti-inflammatory properties, though human studies are lacking.
AOR is producing 6,000 doses of this tea for a clinical trial that will take place at the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre and will involve 30 patients with various types of cancer, including leukemia, who have not had success with conventional therapy.
May help fight inflammation
Dandelion may reduce inflammation, thanks to certain compounds such as polyphenols.
Inflammation is a normal immune system response to injury or infection. However, long-term inflammation may lead to permanent damage to your body’s tissues and DNA.
Some test-tube studies note significantly reduced markers of inflammation in cells treated with compounds extracted from dandelion.
One study in mice with inflammatory lung disease showed a significant reduction of lung inflammation in those that received dandelion.
Still, human research is needed.
SUMMARY
Limited animal and test-tube research suggests that dandelion has anti-inflammatory properties, though human studies are lacking.
A statement on the website of the Dandelion Root Project at the University of Windsor says:
Since the commencement of this project, we have been able to successfully assess the effect of a simple water extract of dandelion root in various human cancer cell types, in the lab and we have observed its effectiveness against human T cell leukemia, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, pancreatic and colon cancers, with no toxicity to non-cancer cells. Furthermore, these efficacy studies have been confirmed in animal models (mice) that have been transplanted with human colon cancer cells.
May reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Some compounds in dandelion may decrease triglyceride and cholesterol levels, both of which are key risk factors for heart disease.
In one test-tube study, dandelion leaf and root extract decreased triglyceride accumulation in fat cells.
Similarly, a 4-week animal study showed that administering dandelion leaf extract to rats significantly reduced levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides.
What’s more, an older rabbit study showed that adding dandelion roots and leaves to a high-cholesterol diet lowered cholesterol levels.
However, current research is limited to test-tube and animal studies.
SUMMARY
Some animal studies indicate that dandelion reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but research in humans is needed.
Researcher and medical oncologist Dr. Caroline Hamm said that some of her patients have noted improvements after drinking dandelion root tea from health food stores. The concentrated tea could prove to be even more effective, potentially saving countless lives.
May lower blood pressure
Although some people claim that dandelion may reduce blood pressure, studies are limited.
Traditional herbal medicine uses dandelion for its diuretic effect based on the belief that it can detoxify certain organs.
In Western medicine, diuretic medications are used to rid the body of excess fluid, which may help decrease blood pressure levels.
One older human study found dandelion to be an effective diuretic. However, this study was brief and involved only 17 people.
Dandelion also contains potassium, a mineral associated with decreased blood pressure in those with previously elevated levels. Thus, this plant may have an indirect effect on blood pressure due to its potassium content.
Notably, this effect isn’t unique to dandelion — it applies to any potassium-rich food eaten as part of a healthy diet.
SUMMARY
Dandelion may lower blood pressure as a result of its diuretic effect and potassium content. However, very little research is available.
A 2008 study published in the International Journal of Oncology showed that dandelion tea reduced breast and prostate cancer cells. A subsequent report in the same journal showed that a dietary supplement that contained dandelion suppressed the growth of prostate cancer cells. Dandelion extracts have also demonstrated their efficacy in treating breast cancer and leukemia in traditional Chinese medicine as well as in Native American medicine.
In addition, dandelion extracts show promise in fighting colon and pancreatic cancer cells.
Dandelion has plenty of other benefits, too
The benefits of dandelions don't end there. The root can also stimulate the secretion of bile, relieve allergies, reduce cholesterol and cleanse the liver. In addition, it contains high amounts of Vitamin A and Vitamin K.
May promote liver health
Some animal studies suggest that dandelion extract may protect against liver damage and disease.
In fact, one animal study found that it helped prevent liver damage in mice exposed to sodium dichromate, a compound used to induce liver injury.
Other animal studies have shown that dandelion extract may reduce levels of excess fat stored in the liver and safeguard against oxidative stress.
However, human research is needed.
SUMMARY
Animal studies indicate that dandelions may protect against liver damage, but more research is needed in humans.
May aid in weight loss
Some research indicates that dandelions and their compounds may support weight control, though the data isn’t conclusive.
Some researchers suggest that dandelions’ ability to improve carbohydrate metabolism and reduce fat absorption may lead to weight loss. However, this theory has yet to be scientifically proven.
One study in mice also suggests that dandelion extract may aid weight management by reducing fat absorption.
Another study in mice found that chlorogenic acid, a compound found in dandelion, reduced body weight, decreased fat accumulation, and altered levels of certain proteins involved in weight control.
Still, more high-quality research on humans is necessary.
SUMMARY
Some animal studies note that dandelion compounds may support weight control, but no human studies have evaluated this effect.
May have anticancer effects
Perhaps one of the most intriguing health claims about dandelion extract is its potential to prevent the growth of cancerous cells in various organ systems.
A 4-week study in rats showed that administering dandelion root extract modified specific pathways involved in suppressing the growth and spread of breast cancer cells.
Other test-tube studies have found that dandelion root extract may slow the growth of cancer cells in the liver, colon, and stomach tissue.
These findings are encouraging, but human research is lacking.
SUMMARY
Several test-tube studies have determined that dandelion extract may slow the growth of certain types of cancer. However, research is needed in humans.
May support healthy digestion and treat constipation
Dandelion is often used in traditional medicine to treat constipation and improve digestive health.
One older animal study found a significant increase in the rates of stomach contractions and stomach emptying in rats treated with dandelion extract.
Dandelion root is also a rich source of the prebiotic fiber inulin, which has been shown to reduce constipation and promote the movement of food through the digestive system.
What’s more, with more than 3 grams of fiber per cooked cup (105 grams), dandelion greens may bump up your fiber intake. Fiber supports bowel regularity and protects against a variety of digestive conditions, including hemorrhoids and diverticulitis.
SUMMARY
Dandelion is rich in fiber and prebiotic compounds such as inulin — both of which may support bowel regularity, among other digestive benefits.
May boost immune health
Some research indicates that dandelion may have antimicrobial and antiviral properties, which may support your body’s ability to fight infection.
Several test-tube studies have found that dandelion extract significantly reduces viruses’ ability to replicate.
Research also indicates that some active compounds in dandelions protect against various harmful bacteria.
Ultimately, more research is needed on humans.
SUMMARY
Although research in humans is lacking, some test-tube studies suggest that dandelion has antiviral and antibacterial properties.
May be a useful skin care treatment
Animal and test-tube research notes that dandelion extract may protect against skin damage caused by sunlight, aging, and acne.
In one study, dandelion leaf and flower extracts prevented skin damage when applied just before or immediately after exposure to UVB radiation, which is the radiation you get from sunlight. Interestingly, dandelion roots did not have the same effect.
An older test-tube study showed that dandelion root extract increased the generation of new skin cells, which may support your skin’s appearance as you age.
Additionally, older research indicates that dandelion extract may reduce skin inflammation and irritation while increasing hydration and collagen production. This may be useful in preventing and treating certain types of acne.
However, recent research on the effects of dandelion on skin health is lacking, and studies are limited to test tubes and animals.
SUMMARY
Animal and test-tube studies suggest that dandelion may protect against skin damage caused by sun damage, aging, and acne. Further research on humans is needed.
May support healthy bones
Very little research has been conducted on dandelion’s effect on bone health, though some of its individual nutrients contribute to the maintenance of strong, healthy bones.
Dandelion greens are a good source of calcium and vitamin K, both of which play a key role in bone health.
One small study linked an increased intake of vitamin K-rich leafy green vegetables to lower blood levels of osteocalcin, a protein found in your bones. This suggests that eating more leafy greens such as dandelion greens may help prevent bone loss.
Inulin, a fiber found in the dandelion root, may also support healthy bones by improving digestion and gut health.
Additionally, some research suggests that the antioxidants in dandelion and other greens play a key role in bone health and protect against bone loss by decreasing oxidative stress.
SUMMARY
Research on dandelion’s effects on bone health is lacking, though some components of the plant are known to support the maintenance of strong bones.
This is just one of many natural cures that are showing great promise in treating conditions that conventional medicine has failed to conquer. Countless more natural remedies are likely growing in our planet's forests, oceans, and even deserts, just waiting to be discovered.
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