Dandelion: useful properties and contraindications, reviews

Many who do not know the properties, benefits and harms of dandelion for the body, consider it just a weed. But this is not true, since the use of the plant in traditional medicine, cooking, cosmetology proves the opposite.

Dandelion description and photo

Dandelion is a perennial herb that is widespread in Russia. It has dissected rosette leaves, taproot and bright yellow flowers. The height depends on the fertility of the soil and reaches 30 cm.

It is difficult to remove dandelions from the garden plot: the regenerative properties of the plant are so high that the restoration of the population is possible even from small fragments of the root, severely damaged root system. Given this, knowing the benefits of the practical application of the plant will help in using it in everyday life.

Dandelion composition, nutritional value and calorie content

The plant has a rich chemical composition. This explains the use of flowers, leaves, dandelion roots, the benefits and health risks of which are scientifically proven and used in medicine.

The calorie content of 100 g of the product is 45 kcal. As part (in g):

• carbohydrates - 5.7;
• fats - 0.7;
• proteins - 2.7;
• water - 85.6;
• dietary fiber - 3.5.

The chemical composition of the plant includes:

• vitamins - A, B, C, E, K, PP;
• macronutrients - phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium;
• trace elements - iron, manganese, copper, selenium, zinc.

Health Benefits of Dandelion

Biologically active substances that dandelion is rich in have a number of beneficial properties:

• antispasmodic;
• laxative;
• expectorant;
• diuretic;
• diuretic;
• calming;
• diaphoretic;
• antiviral;
• anthelmintic.

In official and folk medicine, the benefits of dandelions are recognized and successfully used in the treatment of pathologies:

• constipation;
• diabetes;
• avitaminosis;
• anemia;
• atherosclerosis;
• kidney stone disease;
• anemia.

Dandelion leaves

Raw materials are used in spring, when flowering has not begun. From it you can make tea, broth, infusion. There is no bitterness at this time, and the benefits of dandelion greens should be used in vitamin salads. In addition to excellent taste, raw materials help:

• in the fight against scurvy;
• improved appetite;
• normalization of the digestive tract;
• treating kidney disease;
• activation of the work of the bile ducts.

Dandelion flowers

The bright yellow inflorescence of the plant has a rich chemical composition and is widely used in the treatment and prevention of a number of pathologies.Decoctions, ointments, tinctures can be prepared from dandelion flowers, the benefits of which are observed for internal and external use.

Positive changes occur for the gastrointestinal tract:

• improved appetite;
• reduction of blistering;
• activation of digestion.

The liver benefits of dandelions include:

• in the restoration of organ cells;
• cleansing in a gentle mode;
• increased outflow of bile;
• removal of stones from the gallbladder.

Flowers from flowers are contraindicated for stomach ulcers, gastritis with high acidity, blockage of the biliary tract, pollen allergy: drugs can harm patients with these pathologies.

Dandelion root

The rhizomes of the plant are rich in vitamins and other useful elements. When used correctly, the properties and benefits of dandelion root are maximally manifested, harm can be obtained only if the dosage and contraindications are violated. The drugs are used for disorders in the work of the cardiovascular system, anemia, rheumatism, psoriasis, eczema.

Excess fluid is excreted from the body and blood pressure is reduced.

The high content of inulin in the rhizome activates metabolic processes. This is the benefit of a decoction of dandelion roots in diabetes. There is especially a lot of substance in the plant in autumn. Harvesting of roots is recommended at this time.

Is dandelion good for pregnant women?

During pregnancy, the use of drugs must be treated responsibly. This also applies to herbal preparations. The use of dandelion flowers and leaves is prohibited, only the roots of the plant give benefits for women in position. From them, you can make a weak tea that improves digestion and relieves constipation. Coffee brewed from the roots of the plant improves mood and sleep of a woman. The broth helps cleanse the liver of toxins. Do not overuse herbal remedies, the dosage must be clarified with your doctor.

Dandelion Benefits for Kids

Despite the plant's benefits, treating children with dandelion medications should be limited and only after consultation with a pediatrician. To facilitate the manifestations of exudative diathesis in children, you can use dandelion infusion, the use of which is to improve metabolism.

Insomnia in children will disappear if you take an infusion of mint, lemon balm, dandelion roots, taken in equal parts.

Children should refrain from using honey, as it can harm the not yet formed bone tissue.

Dandelion for weight loss

There is an opinion that the actual problem of excess weight can be easily solved by just eating dandelion, its benefits in this case are exaggerated. Leaves, flowers and roots have slimming properties:

• stimulation of the gallbladder;
• improving the digestion process;
• diuretic effect;
• accelerating metabolism;
• toning the body.

The effect and benefit for weight loss will be with the complex use of infusions, physical activity and healthy nutrition.

The use of dandelion in traditional medicine

In the recipes of traditional medicine, the stem, root, flowers and leaves of a dandelion are used, the benefits of which are used for the body in the treatment and prevention of:

• ARVI - as an antipyretic, antiviral agent;
• anemia - as part of complex therapy;
• hemorrhoids and constipation - as a laxative;
• increased excitability - as a sedative;
• liver diseases - as antispasmodic and choleretic;
• atherosclerosis - to normalize metabolism.

External application of juice is used, with which you can whiten and cleanse the skin of warts, get rid of freckles.

Dandelion decoction

According to their properties, all parts of the plant practically do not differ and can be used in the preparation of a decoction, which is used both internally and externally. There is no doubt the benefits of dandelion decoction during recovery from a stroke, to support liver function, as an adjuvant in multiple sclerosis and diabetes.

To keep blood sugar levels in check, you can use a decoction:

1. Grind the roots.
2. Fry in a dry frying pan.
3. Pour a teaspoon of raw materials with water (200 g), cook for 10 minutes.
4. Cool down.

Take as tea.

You should consult your doctor about the benefits of dandelion for diabetes and its use.

Dandelion infusion

An aqueous infusion prepared using roots and leaves improves metabolism, increases tone, enhances milk production in lactating women, and relieves pain in osteochondrosis. To prepare the infusion, you must:

1. Pour boiling water over dried roots and leaves (1 tablespoon) (200 g).
2. To cover with a lid.
3. Strain after an hour.

Reception - 4 times a day for 30 minutes. before meals, 50 g.

With regular use of the infusion, the benefits of dandelion root for men are noted.

A consultation with a doctor is required.

Dandelion tincture

From the inflorescences or roots, you can prepare a tincture, which is used externally for grinding diseased joints and internally for arthritis, arthrosis, osteochondrosis. The drug has the effect of relieving pain, stopping muscle spasms. Prophylactic use is acceptable.

Cooking method:

1. Grind dry roots (50 g).
2. Put in a glass container and fill with vodka (0.5 l).
3. Insist half a month in a dark place.
4. Strain.

Take 40 drops before meals three times a day. Many people note the benefits of dandelion tincture when applied externally in the form of compresses on sore joints.

Use after consultation with your healthcare professional.

Dandelion flower ointment

In addition to infusions, decoctions, tinctures, another form is used - an ointment, the effect of which is to treat sunburn, skin damage. To prepare the product you need:

1. Grind 30 inflorescences.
2. Finely chop the onion.
3. Stir flowers and onions.
4. Add a glass of vegetable oil to the mixture.
5. Cook over low heat for about half an hour.
6. Cool down.
7. Strain.
8. Store in a cool place.

The ointment is applied to the sore spot several times a day.

The benefits of dandelion ointment are manifested in the application of itching and inflammation after an insect bite.

Before use, you should consult a doctor.

Dandelion root oil

The oil from the roots is used for cosmetic purposes, to strengthen and improve the quality of hair. Helps to treat skin conditions, dandelion oil and burns. To prepare it you need:

1. Mix 1 part crushed roots with 4 parts vegetable oil.
2. Insist 10 days.
3. Strain.

Use as directed by your doctor.

Dandelion juice

For the prevention of kidney stones, dandelion juice is great; harm can be done to patients with a diagnosis of gastritis, ulcers, Crohn's disease. The juice is widely used in cosmetology to combat age spots. It is added to shampoos and conditioners to strengthen hair. A healthy drink can be prepared in several ways. The simplest is as follows:

1. Pass the raw materials through a meat grinder.
2. Squeeze the mass through cheesecloth.
3. Add 100 g of alcohol (for longer storage).

More painstaking way:

1. Put the flowers in a jar, sprinkle with sugar.
2. Add some water.
3. Tamp until brownish liquid comes out.

The juice is taken in 3 tbsp. l. a day before meals. It is worth consulting your doctor.

Healthy and delicious dandelion recipes

The plant is most often considered a weed, while in many countries of the world the flower is used not only as a medicine, but also as a delicacy. Salads, coffee, wine are made from it. The benefits of dandelion dishes are in their vitamin content. Sauces and snacks are prepared from young shoots.They are pickled and fermented like cabbage, served with meat and fish. At the same time, all the beneficial properties of the plant are preserved.

Dandelion jam

The taste of the bright yellow delicacy is reminiscent of honey. Jam has a number of useful properties:

• helps in liver recovery;
• reduces the acidity of the stomach;
• has a mild choleretic effect;
• helps to cleanse toxins;
• improves skin condition.

Cooking method:

1. Rinse flowers (400 g) with water.
2. Cover with water (200 g).
3. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Drain and strain the liquid through cheesecloth.
5. Pour 7 glasses of sand into the resulting liquid.
6. Boil for 10 minutes.
7. Pour into jars, close with lids.

Flowers for jam should be picked in May, away from the roads.

Even if you use jam as an ordinary delicacy, with tea or other drinks, the effect of its use will be positive for the heart, liver, joints, other systems and organs.

Dandelion honey

It is believed that the benefits of dandelion honey are in rejuvenating the body, purifying the blood, and reducing liver pain. Among its properties:

• pain reliever;
• emollient;
• laxative;
• antimicrobial.

Cooking method:

1. Boil syrup from water (1 tbsp.) And sugar (1 kg).
2. Peel the flowers (300 g) from sepals, rinse and add to the syrup.
3. Cook for 30 minutes.
4. Add lemon juice, cloves (5 pcs.), Lemon balm (3 sprigs), 6 currant leaves.
5. Cool honey and pour into jars.

Drink with tea or milk, a teaspoon three times a day. It is worth consulting a doctor.

Dandelion Wine

This product is not a figment of the imagination, but a real alcoholic drink, the recipes for which have been created and preserved over the years. The wine has a very beautiful appearance, golden color, characteristic aroma. No harm from use is observed if the norm is observed - no more than 150 g per day. The benefits of the application are as follows:

• the risk of heart disease is reduced;
• blood pressure is normalized;
• the nervous system calms down;
• insomnia is eliminated.

Cooking method:

1. Fill a glass jar (3 l) with petals, pouring sugar over the layers (1.5 kg).
2. After the petals have settled, add a new batch of flowers.
3. After 3 days, strain and squeeze.
4. Add 150 g of raisins and the juice of 2 oranges.
5. Place the juice in a warm place for the fermentation process.
6. A month later, at the end of fermentation, pour the finished wine into a glass container.
7. Keep refrigerated.

Dandelion coffee

If natural coffee is contraindicated, prohibited, and harmful, a dandelion drink can be an alternative substitute. Raw materials for its manufacture must be collected in the fall, when the maximum of useful substances accumulates in the roots of the plant. After drying, their volume is significantly reduced, while the benefits of coffee from dandelion roots are fully preserved:

• the liver works more actively;
• increased gastrointestinal motility.

Cooking method:

1. Dig up the roots, peel, rinse.
2. Cut into pieces and dry.
3. Fry in the oven until brown at 180 ° C.
4. Grind with a coffee grinder.
5. For 1 cup, brew 1 dessert spoon of powder.
6. Cook for 15 minutes until brownish.
7. Can be used with cream, honey or milk.

Despite the undoubted benefits of dried dandelions, you should not abuse the drink. It is possible to combine the powder from the roots of the plant with chicory. In any case, you need to consult your doctor.

How dandelion is used in cosmetology

All parts of the plant are used for making cosmetics for skin, nails, hair. The benefits of young dandelion leaves, flowers and roots are due to the chemical composition of the plant:

• organic acids;
• essential oils;
• resins;
• rubber;
• vitamins;
• micro and macro elements.

Different forms of the drug are used in face and hair care, among them:

• infusions;
• decoctions;
• oil;
• powder;
• the juice.

To prepare a healthy mask for oily skin, you need:

1. Cut the leaves of the plant until they release juice.
2. Mix with yolk.
3. Apply to skin for 15 minutes.
4. Wash off with cool water.

After regular use of the product, the oily sheen of the skin, inflammation and rashes should disappear from the plant.

The benefits of dandelion for hair are as follows:

• hair follicles are strengthened;
• cellular metabolism is accelerated;
• keratin hair scales are smoothed;
• the work of the sebaceous glands is normalized.

Use Dandelion Powder Shampoo to strengthen your hair. To do this, dry the plant, grind it into powder and add to shampoo (1 tsp per 100 g of cosmetic product). Before using the plant, consult a specialist.

Harvesting dandelion leaves, roots and flowers

Dandelion leaves should be harvested in early May before the plant has budded. They are carefully torn off and put in baskets, removing damaged and yellowed ones. Flowers are harvested in May-June. The youngest are selected. The collection should be carried out away from roads and industrial areas. Plucking the flower baskets of the plant, you need to try to preserve the pollen. The roots are harvested in April, before the leaves appear, or in the fall, in September. Raw materials are dried in the shade, in attics, balconies, in a well-ventilated place, protected from direct sunlight. Do not allow caking of dandelion parts, for which it is necessary to mix them periodically. The benefits of the composition of the roots of the plant will be well preserved in wooden containers, leaves and flowers - in paper or cloth bags. Shelf life is no more than 5 years.

Conclusion

Everyone knows a plant with golden inflorescences since childhood, but not everyone knows what the benefits and harms of a dandelion are. It is worth taking a closer look at this plant and, if possible, applying its properties. Moreover, this can be done in treatment, disease prevention, cooking, cosmetology.

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