The dandelion is a useful medicinal herb; its roots and leaves are dried and used to make dandelion tea, which contain vitamins A, C and D, and significant amounts of zinc, iron, magnesium and potassium. Dandelion tea has been traditionally used in alternative medicine as a detoxifying agent for the liver. The National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, says that dandelions leaves are also useful as salad greens, cooked greens and for making wine. Before you begin to use dandelion tea medicinally, discuss it with your health care provider.
Inflammation Reducer
The U.S. National Library of Medicine, or USNLM, says that some research shows dandelion as a powerful anti-inflammatory. Sipping the dandelion tea can help ease inflammation, or apply it to the inflamed area of the skin.
Antioxidant
Dandelion tea is also considered to have antioxidant abilities, which means that drinking dandelion tea may have anti-aging effects and help your body avoid cell damage from free radicals, says the USNLM.
Diuretic Effect
A recent research study described on PubMed.gov shows evidence that dandelion tea is useful as a diuretic, which helps to increase the body's production of urine. The study took place at Tai Sophia Institute Department of Herbal Medicine in Laurel, Maryland and was published in the August 2009 issue of "Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine." Further research is recommended to determine how effective this diuretic ability is.
Healthful Tonic
Dandelion tea is reported to be useful as an overall liver or kidney tonic, according to the NCCAM. A recent research study described on the PubMed.gov website showed evidence supporting dandelion tea as beneficial to liver health. The study, conducted at Inje University Biohealth Products Research Center in Korea and published in the September 2010 issue of "Phytotherapy Research," demonstrated that dandelion leaf water extract, or dandelion tea, was effective in protecting the liver from damage.
Benefits Eczema
Dandelion tea may be applied directly to patches of eczema for a relieving effect, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Blood Sugar Regulation
The University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, reports that some animal studies show that dandelion tea may help regulate blood sugar. If you have questions about drinking dandelion tea to benefit diabetes, discuss it with your health care provider.
Lower Cholesterol
Dandelion may play a part in lowering overall cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood. And it may also raise your HDL cholesterol levels, or the "good" form of cholesterol, says the UMMC.
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