When you think of dandelion, you probably picture a pesky weed. But did you know that the plant has long been used in herbal medicine?
You can drink an infusion made of the plant’s leaves or of roasted dandelion roots. Dandelion is a popularly known weed of the daisy family, with a rosette of leaves and large bright yellow flowers.
The roots and leaves of dandelion are dried and used to make dandelion tea, and can benefit your health myriad ways. Dandelion tea is rich in vitamin A, C and D. It contains high amounts of zinc, iron and magnesium.
Here are 8 health benefits of dandelion tea you may not have known:
1. Good for Digestion
Dandelion tea can have many positive effects on your digestive system. It improves appetite and soothes digestive ailments. According to various studies, dandelions aid our digestive system by maintaining the proper flow of bile. Dandelion tea helps with mineral absorption and soothes the stomach lining,
2. Detoxifies the Liver
The role of our liver is to produce bile (which helps enzymes in the body break down fats into fatty acids) and also to filter and detoxify our blood. “The vitamins and nutrients present in dandelions help in cleansing and maintaining the proper functioning of our liver.
3. Acts as a Diuretic
Dandelion tea has a natural diuretic effect as it helps in removing excessive fluid from the body and thus relieves bloating. It allows your liver to eliminate toxins.
4. Reduces Water Weight
According to a 2009 study, participants showed a significant increase in frequency of urination after the first two doses of Dandelion tea. Water weight, and subsequent bloating went down.
5. Powerhouse of Antioxidants
Dandelion tea is packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that help in preventing certain types of cell damage. The body uses antioxidants to fight free radical damage, which is very dangerous for the body’s tissues and is connected to cancer and premature aging. Luckily, drinking dandelion tea helps the body avoid cell damage from free radicals.
6. Fights Diabetes
Various studies have shown that dandelion tea lowers levels of blood sugar and can in turn treat diabetes. It removes excess sugar that is stored in the body due to its diuretic properties and helps in stimulating the production of insulin from the pancreas. It is a great way to fight diabetes naturally.
7. Treats Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Dandelion tea can help prevent urinary tract infections, as well as bladder disorders, kidney problems and possibly even cysts on reproductive organs. A specific combination of dandelion root and leaf extracts of another herb called Uva Ursi (that can be taken orally) helps treat UTIs in women. In this combination, Uva Ursi is used to kill bacteria, and dandelion tea is used because of its ability to stimulate urine production and fight infection.
