Dandelions are often viewed as pesky weeds which sprout up in the garden or alongside a curb, but did you know they also have lots of health benefits too and can be a valuable addition to a healthy diet?
In fact, dandelions have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments as they are packed full of nutrients including vitamins A, C, K as well as calcium and potassium which are great for bone health. They are also high in antioxidants which can help protect the body from all those harmful free radicals we are exposed to on a daily basis.
Health Benefits:
One of the most well-known health benefits of dandelions is their ability to support liver function. While you sleep the liver works tirelessly to round up toxins which have accumulated in your body throughout the day, ready for them to be expelled when you wake up the following morning. Dandelions work by assisting the livers filtering process and help remove these unwanted toxins from your body.
Dandelions also contain anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a natural response of the body to injury or infection, but chronic inflammation can lead to a variety of health problems including thyroid issues like Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease.
In addition to these health benefits, dandelions may also have a diuretic effect, which means they can help increase urine production and promote the elimination of excess fluid from the body. This can be especially good for people with high blood pressure or oedema (a build up of fluid in the body which causes swelling and puffiness).
How to include dandelions in your diet:
There are many ways to incorporate dandelions into your diet. You can eat them both raw or cooked, and they can be easily added to salads, soups or broths or used as a substitute for spinach or other leafy greens. Dandelion leaves and flowers can be brewed into a nutritious tea or roasted dandelion root can be used as a coffee substitute. Dandelion coffee is a great alternative to regular coffee as it is very similar in flavor, helps you keep your morning routine and is quick to make as it works the same as an instant-coffee.
So, next time you see a dandelion pop up in your garden, don’t just see a weed but think of it as a powerful liver cleansing herb which can help remove harmful toxins from the body, improve digestion, lower inflammation, and reduce water retention.
