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Healing Power and Curative Properties
One can find the significant medicinal values of Dandelion from the
Arabian writings of the 10th century, Welsh manuscripts of the 13th
century and English herbal literature of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Thanks to the efforts of herbalists, its virtues are now well known and
respected, both for its therapeutic properties and as an alternative to
tea and coffee.
The entire plant is used by many herbalists,
although the tea is usually brewed from its root, which are a tonic. It
increases the secretion and discharge of urine and acts as a mild
purgative.
Bone Disorders
The readily available organic magnesium in dandelion makes the juice of
the leaves, with or without the roots, valuable for all bone disorders. It
is often mixed with juices of the leaves of carrots and turnips for
treating these disorders.
Liver and Gall Bladder Dysfunctions
Dandelion benefits both liver and gall bladder in their vital role of
handling fats within the body and aiding the detoxifying role of the
liver. It is, therefore, useful in the disorders of these organs. Combined
with the juice of watercress and with a diet without meat or much sugar
and starch, it helps to make the liver and the gall bladder normal, and
exercises a beneficial effect upon the nervous system. Sufferers from
hepatitis can greatly benefit from dandelion tea.
General Debility
Dandelion can be used as a general body tonic for its influence in
supporting waste functions of bowels, bladder and skin, which are the
hard-working eliminating organs of our body.
Urinary Disorders
Dandelion tea, made from the buds, flowers, fresh leaves or even blanched
leaves, can be very useful in cases of urinary disorders. Its familiar
names of `piss-le-lit' and `bed-wetter' point to its characteristic
effect, that of increasing the flow of urine. It can be very helpful in
cases of slow start to passing urine. It is, however, important with most
urinary troubles to drink plenty of water or other harmless, non-alcoholic
drinks so that there can be a free flow of urine.
Warts
Dandelion is useful in the treatment of warts. The milk from the cut end
of dandelion should be put on the wart twice or thrice a day
Other Uses
Tender leaves of dandelion are used as a tasty salad vegetable. The leaves
should be torn to pieces rather than cut to keep their pungent flavor.
These can also be cooked in a little boiling water or in combination with
spinach and cooked in the same way. A tasty and beneficial soup can be
made with chopped dandelion leaves. The dried leaves are used for tea and
as an ingredient in diet drinks. Dandelion coffee is made from its dried,
roasted and ground roots. It is a natural beverage, without the harmful
effects of the conventional tea and coffee.
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