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Dandelion - one of the most common herbaceousplants of the Northern Hemisphere. It is not surprising that dandelion, whose medicinal properties and contraindications are still the focus of medical attention, has long been used as a raw material for healing infusions and lotions.
Medicinal Dandelion: description and distribution of
As soon as the snow melts, yellow inflorescences of dandelions are revealed in central Russia. During the summer flowering occurs another 1-2 times, the field of which the golden caps turn into a cloud of air parachutes, flying over many tens and hundreds of meters. Due to the high spreading rate and unpretentiousness in most regions of the range, the culture has become a weed.
A perennial rhizome plant with basal rosette and inflorescences-baskets on erect hollow peduncles settles on the verges, on lawns and vacant lots, that is, almost everywhere. A powerful taproot helps to obtain food and moisture in the most adverse conditions. And he, and the leaves, and the stems of the plant are rich in white milky juice, which oxidizes in air and, drying, changes color to brownish-brown.
As a result of a comprehensive study of the properties of dandelion, it turned out that there are bioactive substances in all parts. What is valuable in plant materials? What is useful dandelion?
The biochemical composition and health benefits of dandelion
Dandelion is traditionally used in folk medicine, adopted by the official Pharmacopoeia. The plant owes this recognition to a rich biochemical composition.
Medicinal properties of dandelion and contraindications to its use - the result of the active substances in the composition of the rhizomes, stems, flowers and leaves of the plant:
- A bouquet of vitamins includes such essential compounds as carotene, B vitamins, ascorbic acid, vitamins PP and E.
- Dandelion is richorganic acids.
- Plant materials contain terpenes, flavonoids, resins and bitterness, essential oils and tannins.
- The composition contains glycosides, inulin and aspargin.
- The mineral composition is also wide. Among micro and macronutrients iron and manganese, potassium and boron, copper and phosphorus, calcium and other irreplaceable components.
The healing properties of dandelion flowers are due to the abundance of vitamins, including ascorbic acid and lutein, proteins and mineral salts. Yellow dandelion perianths - the raw material for the original jam, which the plant transmits sunny color, minerals and proteins.
Useful Properties of Parts of the Plant
The elongated, with a rugged edge of the plant leaves contain the same compounds as yellow fluffy flowers. But in greens there is much more protein and phosphorus, therefore young leaves are used as a valuable dietary product, adding to salads, snacks, pickles and fillings for pies. With a lot of useful properties of dandelion leaves and contraindications. As they grow in greenery, bitterness accumulates, changing the taste of foliage, which is not so pleasant to eat.
Most useful substances in powerful, dandelion roots. Their white dense fabric contains:
- complex of organic acids;
- fatty oils;
- glycosides involved in the synthesis and regeneration of tissues;
- tanning agents;
- mucus;
- bitterness;
- rubber;
- dietary fiber, including inulin.
What are the medicinal properties and contraindications of dandelion root? All of these substances in one way or another useful. A special role is played by inulin, which works as a natural sorbent, which removes toxins and slags from the body, stimulates the digestive function, and in the stomach forms fructose and its derivatives.
Health benefits of dandelion: properties and scope of use
Dandelion is a plant whose greenery and rhizomes have tonic, stimulating properties. Essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids replenish depleting reserves of the body, supply it with energy and create a reserve for development, regeneration, renewal.
In addition, preparations based on plant materials, and used for the health of dandelion:
- normalize metabolic processes;
- stimulates the stomach and intestines;
- increase the production of gastric juice;
- reduces cholesterol, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis or facilitating the course of the disease;
- helps with hypertension and heart failure;
- reduce pain;
- due to bitterness, irritating taste buds, increase appetite;
- works as cholagogue and diuretics;
- has a diaphoretic and antipyretic, as well as expectorant effects;
- is mildly weak;
- resists inflammation;
- soothe and, if necessary, tone up.
Dandelion has a beneficial effect on the blood composition, activating the production of red blood cells and white blood cells, which are designed to fight sources of inflammation. In the list of therapeutic properties of dandelion and contraindications to its use - bactericidal, anthelmintic, antifungal effects.
Indications for use of dandelion medicinal
Dandelion has many useful properties that are used in folk and official medicine. Dandelion is used as a tonic and stimulating exchange processes remedy. Herbal preparations rich in inulin are useful in diabetes. They stimulate metabolism, support lipid balance and are effective in losing weight and diseases of the immune system.
For the same reason, they drink tea from dandelion and want to cleanse the body of toxins and impurities. Herbal medicine with the help of this plant helps to improve the composition of the blood, safely remove swelling, maintain healthy bones and joints. With rheumatism and arthritis dandelion not only heals, but also anesthetizes.
How a diuretic dandelion helps to cope with the effects of food poisoning, high blood pressure, edema.
This treatment does not lead to potassium deficiency, but opposes the development of pathogenic microflora, has anti-inflammatory effects and is prescribed for diseases of the bladder and kidneys.
The plant has antipyretic, diaphoretic action, useful in respiratory and seasonal viral diseases. Dandelion tea normalizes sleep, maintains body tone and relieves stress symptoms.
Dandelion-based drugs are useful for constipation, lazy stomach syndrome and other problems of the digestive tract. The plant, if used by a doctor, is effective in liver disease.
Oncology dandelion root is used as a supportive means, naturally stimulating regeneration, with cleansing properties. In addition, dandelion improves blood composition, reduces inflammation and supports normal metabolism.
When applied externally, dandelion grass contributes to the treatment of acne, eczema, warts and dry corns, as well as burns, ulcers and other inflammatory processes.
Contraindications to the use of medicinal dandelion
A high concentration of bioactive substances is not only a guarantee of usefulness, but also a risk factor. It is not surprising that with the mass of beneficial properties of a medicinal dandelion there are also contraindications.
Tea, decoction and other preparations based on vegetable raw materials should not be taken if the gallbladder is broken and the bile ducts are blocked. Contraindications are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, for example, gastritis, peptic ulcer. Even a digestive upset can be exacerbated by the weakening effect of dandelion. The same effect as well as an irritating effect will be undesirable during pregnancy and for young children.
Components of plant materials can cause an allergic reaction, itching, swelling, redness of the skin and mucous membranes.
In order to use dandelion in traditional medicine to be truly useful, you should not neglect the recommended dosages. And before you turn on herbal tea, decoction, lotions, you should consult with your doctor and get his approval.
With an overdose of dandelion-based products, such negative reactions as digestive upset, dizziness, and nausea are possible.
When to collect dandelion root for medicinal purposes
The content of nutrients in vegetable raw materials varies with the season. If you collect the roots and leaves at the wrong time, the benefits of taking the drug will significantly decrease.
When to harvest a dandelion to maximize the healing properties of the plant? It is best to dig up the roots in autumn, when the plant accumulates sludge for wintering, or in early spring before flowering.
Large roots cannot be mined by hand, so a sharp spade is required on the workpiece. When the plants are dug and washed, they are dried on wooden or plastic pallets. After 4–5 days of being in the shade, in a dry ventilated room, the raw material is ready for storage. At 40–50 ° C, the process goes faster, but the temperature should not be increased anymore, otherwise most of the vitamins, essential oils and acids will simply evaporate.
Grass, unlike dandelion roots, is harvested for medicinal purposes when the plant is already flowering. Fully dried raw materials are stored in glass containers or in paper bags protected from moisture and sunlight.
