Dandelion
Also known as: Dandelion, Dandelion Extract, Pisselent, Piss-in-bed, Priest's Crown, Lion's Teeth, Lion's Tooth, Milk Daisy, Huang Hua Di Ding, Dumble-dor, White Endive, Wild Endive, Taraxacum Officinale
Overview
Taraxacum officinale, also known as dandelion, is a vegetable that most people call a weed. Dandelion is sometimes used as a salad green, and has limited traditional use in East Asian countries. It is used around the world for its diuretic effect. Though dandelion is ingested primarily as a diuretic, there is a lack of good human evidence for this effect. Animal studies and in vitro evidence suggest dandelion may have a variety of other beneficial health effects, but much more research is needed to trace these effects back to individual compounds found in dandelions. Since many of the compounds found in dandelions can be found in other herbs, it is possible that other supplements may be more effective than dandelion. Limited rodent evidence suggests dandelion may be able to ease digestion by increasing the rate at which food leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine. Dandelion may also exert a protective effect on the pancreas. Preliminary evidence suggests dandelion may have minor antiallergenic properties, but further research is needed to confirm this effect. Dandelion can be used in salad. About 100 g of dandelion provides about 10-15% of your daily potassium requirements, at little to no caloric intake. Supplementation of dandelion cannot be recommended at this time due to a lack of human evidence for its effects. Consuming wild dandelions is not recommended, especially those grown in urban and suburban settings, as they will have been exposed to pesticide.
Benefits
Dandelion is primarily known for its diuretic effect, which means it increases urine production. This effect is thought to be due to the presence of certain compounds in the plant that may influence kidney function and fluid balance in the body. Additionally, animal studies suggest that dandelion may aid digestion by speeding up the movement of food through the digestive tract and may have protective effects on the pancreas. However, the exact mechanisms by which dandelion exerts these effects in humans are not well understood, and more research is needed to clarify how it functions in the body.
How it works
Dandelion is associated with several potential health benefits, including: 1. Diuretic Effect: Dandelion is commonly used to promote increased urine production, which may help with conditions related to fluid retention. 2. Digestive Aid: Preliminary evidence suggests that dandelion may help improve digestion by increasing the rate at which food leaves the stomach. 3. Pancreatic Protection: Some studies indicate that dandelion may have protective effects on the pancreas, although more research is needed to confirm this. 4. Antiallergenic Properties: There is some preliminary evidence that dandelion may have minor antiallergenic effects, but further studies are required to validate this claim.
Side effects
About 100 g of dandelion can be used in a salad to provide 10-15% of your daily potassium requirement. The dose above is equivalent to approximately 10g of the dry weight of the plant, assuming water content of 87-90%. Supplementation of dandelion cannot be recommended at this time due to a lack of human evidence for its effects. Consuming wild dandelions is not recommended, especially those grown in urban and suburban settings, as they will have been exposed to pesticide.
Dosage
Dandelion is generally considered safe for most people when consumed in food amounts. However, potential side effects may include allergic reactions, gastrointestinal upset, and increased urination. Safety concerns arise particularly with wild dandelions, which may be contaminated with pesticides. Individuals with certain health conditions, such as kidney problems or those taking diuretics, should consult a healthcare provider before using dandelion supplements.
FAQs
What is dandelion used for?
Dandelion is primarily used for its diuretic effect, which helps increase urine production. It may also aid digestion and has potential protective effects on the pancreas.
Are there any side effects of dandelion?
Dandelion is generally safe for most people, but potential side effects include allergic reactions, gastrointestinal upset, and increased urination.
Can I consume wild dandelions?
Consuming wild dandelions is not recommended, especially those grown in urban and suburban settings, as they may have been exposed to pesticides.
How much dandelion should I take?
About 100 g of dandelion can be used in a salad to provide 10-15% of your daily potassium requirement. However, supplementation cannot be recommended due to a lack of human evidence for its effects.
