Although many people consider dandelion as a weed, it has many culinary and medicinal uses. Dandelion is commonly used as an appetite stimulant, digestive aid, to enhance liver and gallbladder function, and as a diuretic to increase the elimination of urine. Its diuretic properties make it potentially useful for the management of hypertension. As with any herb, consult with your doctor before using dandelion to help manage your hypertension.
Treatment
High blood pressure, or hypertension, may initially be treated with lifestyle changes, including adopting a healthy diet, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing stress. If these do not control your blood pressure, then medicines may be added. Diuretics, or water pills, are used to help your kidneys get rid of extra water, which helps to lower your blood pressure. Dandelion has diuretic properties and may also be helpful for managing your hypertension.
How It Works
Dandelion has diuretic properties that may make it beneficial for helping to lower your blood pressure. Diuretics help to eliminate extra water from your body by increasing the removal of salt and water through your kidneys. This decreases the amount of fluid flowing through your blood vessels which reduces pressure your arteries. Dandelion is also beneficial because it contains potassium, which is an important nutrient in your body that is depleted by other diuretics.
Preparation and Dosing
Dandelion is available fresh or as dried flowers and leaves, tinctures, teas, liquid extracts, tablets and capsules. Dandelion tea can be made by adding one to two teaspoons of dried leaves to one cup of boiling water, then steeping for five to ten minutes. For diuretic effects, dandelion tea can be taken three times daily. One to 2 tsps. of dandelion juice, or 1/2 to 1 tsp. of leaf tincture are taken three times daily as a diuretic.
Effectiveness
Preliminary research has supported the diuretic effects of dandelion in humans. A study published in the "Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine" in 2009, tested whether dandelion extract could increase urinary frequency and volume in human volunteers. Results showed that dandelion caused significant increases in both frequency and volume of urination within five hours of taking a dose.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Dandelion
- National Institutes of Health: High Blood Pressure
- Palo Alto Medical Foundation: Dandelion
- "Planta Medica"; The Action of Taraxacum Officinale Extracts on the Body Weight and Diuresis of Laboratory Animals; E Racz-Kotilla, et al.; Nov 1974
- "Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine"; The diuretic effect in human subjects of an extract of Taraxacum officinale folium over a single day; BA Clare, et al.; Aug 2009
