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When most people think of dandelions, they picture a plentiful, pesky yellow-flowered weed that grows all over their front or back yards. Regardless of how much weed killer or roundup you spray or how often you try to pull up the dandelions, they just keep growing back.
WE WERE LIED TO…yet again.
Dandelions are a very POWERFUL herb used to assist in healing the body, especially for those with digestive issues or painful menstrual cramps, and they can be picked directly from your backyard.
There are different parts of the dandelion, all of which can be used for gut healing and womb soothing. There is the dandelion flower, which is the yellow part most obvious to the eye, the dandelion leaves which grow near the base of the flower, and the dandelion root which grows underground. Dandelion leaf and root are the most commonly used parts of the herb for medicinal purposes.
Dandelion leaf and root are considered bitters which essentially “turn on” the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. They are ideal for correcting sluggish digestion, constipation, poor nutrient absorption, and high cholesterol. Dandelion root is rich in a prebiotic fiber called inulin which promotes the movement of food through the digestive system. Elimination in general is not the sole responsibility of the GI tract/digestive system, but also relies on the liver (the body’s MAIN organ for detoxification). Bitters like dandelion indirectly benefit liver function, stimulating the production of bile. Bile is responsible for carrying away waste and breaking down fats during digestion. In essence, consuming dandelion jumpstarts your digestive and eliminatory organs.
As far as menstrual cramp relief, it goes hand in hand with digestion. One reason many women experience menstrual cramps is due to excess estrogen in the body. Excess estrogen increases the amount of prostaglandins in the body, which are what cause the “cramping” itself. Prostaglandin production also increases if the uterine lining is unusually thick; another sign of excess estrogen. Estrogen is removed from the body via fiber, fiber is used to help clear the digestive tract…see where we’re going here?
Dandelion root is high in plant estrogens, playing a vital role in removing excess hormones from the body. Its stimulating effects on the GI tract and liver help detoxify the body and relieve constipation, further ridding the body of excess estrogen. Regulating the amount of estrogen thus lowers prostaglandin production which lessens the “cramping” occurring in the uterus.
As stated before, dandelions can be picked directly from your yard but if you prefer to buy in stores instead, there’s plenty of herbal teas containing the herb. I like the Dandelion Chai Probiotic Tea from Traditional Medicinals. It contains both the dandelion leaf and root in addition to other carminative spices like ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon. Carminatives help ease bloating, dispel gas, and relieve cramps for reference.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE! This information is purely that: information. The content within this blog post is not intended to replace the advice of a licensed medical professional nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases.
Did you know that dandelions held so many benefits? Let us know in the comments below!