- Dandelion tea has advantages to your digestive system, since it might assist relieve bloating.
- It might additionally assist assist the well being of your liver as a result of it might enhance the stream of bile.
- Dandelion tea can also be wealthy in antioxidants and vitamins like vitamin A and Okay.
- Visit Insider’s Health Reference library for more advice.
Most individuals acknowledge dandelions because the yellow flowering weed that pops up in lawns and gardens. However this plant, formally generally known as Taraxacum officinale, has lengthy been utilized in natural medication for its well being advantages.
Dandelions are protected to devour uncooked, but when that does not sound interesting, you’ll be able to sip on dandelion tea. Dandelion tea is most frequently constructed from the roasted root, however generally the entire flower as effectively, says Jenelle Kim, a physician of Chinese language medication, licensed herbalist, and founding father of JBK Wellness Labs.
Regardless of dandelion’s longstanding use in natural medication, many of the studies so far have been conducted in animals, not folks. Analysis involving people continues to be rising, however here is what the science says thus far in regards to the well being advantages of dandelion tea.
1. Relieves bloating
Dandelion tea acts as a pure diuretic, Kim says, that means it will increase urination, which may also help cut back water weight.
As a result of diuretics assist take away extra liquid out of your physique, dandelion tea might relieve bloating, says Heather Moday, MD, a purposeful medication specialist with a private practice.
Extra analysis is required to completely assist claims that dandelion tea reduces bloating, however a small 2009 study concluded it exhibits “promise as a diuretic.” On this research, researchers discovered an elevated urine output amongst individuals 5 hours after consuming one cup of dandelion tea.
2. Helps liver well being
Dandelion tea has been used to advertise liver perform in holistic medication for hundreds of years, Kim says.
Preliminary research present this can be as a result of dandelion’s means to increase the flow of bile, which helps detox the liver and relieve signs of liver illness, Kim says.
Furthermore, a 2017 study discovered {that a} carbohydrate current in dandelions referred to as polysaccharides might certainly assist defend the liver towards illness and assist total liver perform.
3. Reduces most cancers threat
Dandelions comprise antioxidants, together with vitamin A in addition to phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Collectively, these compounds act as free radical scavengers, Moday says, decreasing oxidative stress on the physique, which may decrease the chance of many continual illnesses resembling most cancers.
“It is believed to enhance profitable cell turnover and cut back the expansion of most cancers cells,” Kim says, however there’s no proof to backup this idea but.
Dandelion tea itself hasn’t been examined for its anti-cancer results, however dandelion root extract has:
- A 2011 in vitro study discovered that dandelion root extract (DRE) killed cancerous melanoma cells whereas not impacting non-cancerous cells.
- A 2012 study discovered related ends in pancreatic most cancers cells, and a 2017 study discovered related ends in gastric most cancers cells.
4. Helps management blood sugar ranges
Dandelion is rich in a soluble fiber called inulin, which may also help control blood sugar spikes.
Moreover, inulin is a sort of complicated carbohydrate generally known as a fructooligosaccharide, which helps the expansion of wholesome micro organism within the intestine. A wholesome intestine microbiome, supported by a high-fiber food regimen, might assist alleviate symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
A 2016 review recommended that dandelion gives “a compelling profile of bioactive parts with potential anti-diabetic properties” however extra analysis is required.
5. Could assist bone well being
Dandelion is wealthy in nutritional vitamins and minerals together with calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin K, that are crucial to maintaining bone health, Moday says.
Whereas these dietary parts are identified to assist bone well being, there have been no human studies but to exhibit dandelion tea’s results on bones.
Potential Dangers
For probably the most half, consuming dandelions and dandelion tea is taken into account protected, however there are some dangers to pay attention to together with the next:
- Electrolyte imbalance: If you’re already taking a diuretic treatment, dandelion tea isn’t beneficial as it might put you at risk of an electrolyte imbalance.
- Opposed treatment interplay: Dandelions might also work together with treatment, like blood thinners or lithium used to treat bipolar disorder, so at all times converse together with your physician earlier than including dandelion tea, or any complement, to your food regimen, Kim says.
- Allergy symptoms: These with ragweed allergies must also strategy dandelion tea with warning, Moday says. Each dandelion and ragweed are a part of the plant household referred to as Asteraceae, so should you’re allergic to ragweed you might also expertise allergy signs like congestion or itchy, watery eyes from dandelions as effectively.
The way you purchase your dandelion tea might also pose sure dangers. Whereas it’s doable to make your personal dandelion tea at dwelling, Kim doesn’t suggest this.
“For most individuals, the most important threat related to ingesting dandelion tea could be in the event that they used dandelions from impure sources,” Kim says. “Whereas the concept of going to an area park or someplace the place you have seen plenty of dandelions develop may appear attractive, these crops may have absorbed toxins and pesticides that will be dangerous to your physique if eaten. “
As an alternative, follow dandelion tea offered in grocery shops, well being meals retailers, or on-line, Kim says.
Insider’s takeaway
Dandelions are full of nutritional vitamins and minerals and have lengthy been utilized in natural medication practices for its many purported well being advantages, together with supporting liver well being and decreasing most cancers threat. Although analysis continues to be rising on the entire methods dandelion tea might enhance human well being.
Dandelion tea might work together with sure medicines or trigger an allergic response in some folks, so at all times seek the advice of together with your physician earlier than making an attempt this or another complement.
