Subj:{OHG} The Health Benefits of Dandelions
Date:10/1/2002 7:20:50 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From:    (Jon Wood)


The following is an excerpt from the excellent book by Peter A. Gail, 
Ph.D., titled "The Dandelion Celebration-The Guide to Unexpected 
Cuisine." See end note.

Suppose your doctor tells you, on your next visit, that he has just 
discovered a miracle drug which, when eaten as a part of your daily 
diet or taken as a beverage, could, depending on the peculiarities of 
your body chemistry:

prevent or cure liver diseases, such as hepatitis or jaundice;

act as a tonic and gentle diuretic to purify your blood, cleanse your 
system, dissolve kidney stones, and otherwise improve gastro-
intestinal health;

assist in weight reduction;

cleanse your skin and eliminate acne;

improve your bowel function, working equally well to relieve both 
constipation and diarrhea;

prevent or lower high blood pressure;

prevent or cure anemia;

lower your serum cholesterol by as much as half;

eliminate or drastically reduce acid indigestion and gas buildup by 
cutting the heaviness of fatty foods;

prevent or cure various forms of cancer;

prevent or control diabetes melitis;

and, at the same time, have no negative side effects and selectively 
act on only what ails you. If he gave you a prescription for this 
miracle medicine, would you use it religiously at first to solve 
whatever the problem is and then consistently for preventative body 
maintenance?

All the above curative functions, and more, have been attributed to 
one plant known to everyone, Taraxacum officinale, which means 
the "Official Remedy for Disorders." We call it the common dandelion. 
It is so well respected, in fact, that it appears in the U.S. 
National Formulatory, and in the Pharmacopeias of Hungary, Poland, 
Switzerland, and the Soviet Union. It is one of the top 6 herbs in 
the Chinese herbal medicine chest.

According to the USDA Bulletin #8, "Composition of Foods" (Haytowitz 
and Matthews 1984), dandelions rank in the top 4 green vegetables in 
overall nutritional value. Minnich, in "Gardening for Better 
Nutrition" ranks them, out of all vegetables, including grains, seeds 
and greens, as tied for 9th best. According to these data, dandelions 
are nature's richest green vegetable source of beta-carotene, from 
which Vitamin A is created, and the third richest source of Vitamin A 
of all foods, after cod-liver oil and beef liver! They also are 
particularly rich in fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, 
phosphorus and the B vitamins, thiamine and riboflavin, and are a 
good source of protein.

These figures represent only those published by the USDA. Studies in 
Russia and Eastern Europe by Gerasimova, Racz, Vogel, and Marei 
(Hobbs 1985) indicate that dandelion is also rich in micronutrients 
such as copper, cobalt, zinc, boron, and molybdenum, as well as 
Vitamin D.

Much of what dandelions purportedly do in promoting good health could 
result from nutritional richness alone. Vogel considers the sodium in 
dandelions important in reducing inflammations of the liver. 
Gerasimova, the Russian chemist who analyzed the dandelion for, among 
other things, trace minerals, stated that "dandelion [is] an example 
of a harmonious combination of trace elements, vitamins and other 
biologically active substances in ratios optimal for a human 
organism" (Hobbs 1985).

Recent research, reported in the Natural Healing and Nutritional 
Annual, 1989 (Bricklin and Ferguson 1989) on the value of vitamins 
and minerals indicates that:

* Vitamin A is important in fighting cancers of epithelial tissue, 
including mouth and lung;

* Potassium rich foods, in adequate quantities, and particularly in 
balance with magnesium, helps keep blood pressure down and reduces 
risks of strokes;

* Fiber fights diabetes, lowers cholesterol, reduces cancer and heart 
disease 

risks, and assists in weight loss. High fiber vegetables take up lots 
of room, are low in calories, and slow down digestion so the food 
stays in the stomach longer and you feel full longer;

* Calcium in high concentrations can build strong bones and can lower 
blood pressure;

* B vitamins help reduce stress.

Throughout history, dandelions have had a reputation as being 
effective in promoting weight loss and laboratory research indicates 
that there is some support for this reputation. Controlled tests on 
laboratory mice and rats by the same Romanians indicated that a loss 
of up to 30% of body weight in 30 days was possible when the animals 
were fed dandelion extract with their food. Those on grass extract 
lost much less. The control group on plain water actually gained 
weight.

Beyond nutritional richness, however, are the active chemical 
constituents contained in dandelions which may have specific 
therapeutic effects on the body. These include, as reported by Hobbs 
(1985):

* Inulin, which converts to fructose in the presence of cold or 
hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Fructose forms glycogen in the 
liver without requiring insulin, resulting in a slower blood sugar 
rise, which makes it good for diabetics and hypoglycemics;

* Tof-CFr, a glucose polymer similar to lentinan, which Japanese 
researchers have found to act against cancer cells in laboratory 
mice; Lentinan is a yeast glucan (glucose polymer) that increases 
resistance against protozoal and viral infections.;

* Pectin, which is anti-diarrheal and also forms ionic complexes with 
metal ions, which probably contributes to dandelion's reputation as a 
blood and gastrointestinal detoxifying herb. Pectin is prescribed 
regularly in Russia to remove heavy metals and radioactive elements 
from body tissues. Pectin can also lower cholesterol and, combined 
with Vitamin C, can lower it even more. Dandelion is a good source of 
both Pectin and Vitamin C;

* Coumestrol, an estrogen mimic which possibly is responsible, at 
least in part, for stimulating milk flow and altering hormones;

* Apigenin and Luteolin, two flavonoid glycosides which have been 
demonstrated to have diuretic, anti-spasmodic, anti-oxidant and liver 
protecting actions and properties, and also to strengthen the heart 
and blood vessels. They also have anti-bacterial and anti-
hypoglycemic properties, and, as estrogen mimics, may also stimulate 
milk production and alter hormones;

* Gallic Acid, which is anti-diarrheal and anti-bacterial;

* Linoleic and Linolenic Acid, which are essential fatty acids 
required by the body to produce prostaglandin which regulate blood 
pressure and such body processes as immune responses which suppress 
inflammation. These fatty acids can lower chronic inflammation, such 
as proliferative arthritis, regulate blood pressure and the menstrual 
cycle, and prevent platelet aggregation;

* Choline, which has been shown to help improve memory;

*Several Sesquiterpene compounds which are what make dandelions 
bitter. These may partly account for dandelions tonic effects on 
digestion, liver, spleen and gall bladder, and are highly anti-fungal;

* Several Triterpenes, which may contribute to bile or liver 
stimulation;

* Taraxasterol, which may contribute to liver and gall bladder health 
or to hormone altering.

These chemicals, individually, are not unique to dandelions, but the 
combination of them all in one plant, along with high levels of 
vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins and fiber account for the 
many claims made regarding the plant.

These claims include the following results of clinical and laboratory 
research, again as reported in Hobbs (1985):

* A doubling of bile output with leaf extracts, and a quadrupling of 
bile output with root extract. Bile assists with the emulsification, 
digestion and absorption of fats, in alkalinizing the intestines and 
in the prevention of putrefaction. This could explain the 
effectiveness of dandelion in reducing the effects of fatty foods 
(heartburn and acid indigestion);

* A reduction in serum cholesterol and urine bilirubin levels by as 
much as half in humans with severe liver imbalances has been 
demonstrated by Italian researchers;

* Diuretic effects with a strength approaching that of the potent 
diuretics Furosemide and Lasix, used for congestive heart failure and 
cirrhosis of the liver, with none of the serious side effects, were 
found by Romanian scientists. They found that water extract of 
dandelion leaves, administered orally, because of its high potassium 
content, replaced serum potassium electrolytes lost in the urine, 
eliminating such side effects common with the synthetics as severe 
potassium depletion, hepatic coma in liver patients, circulatory 
collapse, and transmission through mothers' milk;

* In 1979 a Japanese patent was filed for a freeze-dried warm water 
extract of dandelion root for anti-tumor use. It was found that 
administration of the extract markedly inhibited growth of particular 
carcinoma cells within one week after treatment;

* Dental researchers at Indiana University in 1982 used dandelion 
extracts in antiplaque preparations;

* In studies from 1941 to 1952, the French scientist Henri Leclerc 
demonstrated the effectiveness of dandelion on chronic liver problems 
related to bile stones. He found that roots gathered in late summer 
to fall, when they are rich in bitter, white milky latex, should be 
used for all liver treatments;

* In 1956, Chauvin demonstrated the antibacterial effects of 
dandelion pollen, which may validate the centuries old use of 
dandelion flowers in Korean folk medicine to prevent furuncles 
(boils, skin infections), tuberculosis, and edema and promote blood 
circulation.

Also, Witt (1983) recommends dandelion tea to alleviate the water 
buildup in PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome).

There are many testimonials from those who have benefited from the 
use of dandelions in the treatment of what ailed them.

Robert Stickle, an internationally famous architect, was diagnosed as 
having a malignant melanoma 21 years ago, and was given, after 
radical surgery had not halted its spread, less than 2 years to live. 
He said, in a letter to Jeff Zullo, president of the Society for the 
Promotion of Dandelions, (June 23, 1986):

" I went on a search for the answer to my mortal problem, and 
[discovered] that perhaps it was a nutritional dilemma.... To me, 
cancer is primarily a liver failure manifestation. {Italians are very 
concerned about problems of the 'fegato']. [I discovered that] the 
cancer rate in native Italians is very low among the farming 
population (paesanos). When they get affluent and move to the city, 
its the same as the rest of civilized man. Paesanos eat dandelions, 
make brew from the roots, and are healthy, often living to over 100 
years."

He states that he began eating dandelion salad every day, and his 
improvement confounded the doctors. When he wrote the letter in 1986, 
18 years had passed and there had been no recurrence of the melanoma.

A benefit which comes from writing articles for national media is 
that you hear from people who have interesting stories to tell. I 
recently received a call from Peter Gruchawka, a 70 year old 
gentleman from Manorville, NY, who reported that he had been 
diagnosed with diabetes melitis 3 months before and was put on 5 
grams of Micronase. At the time, he had a 5+ sugar spillover in his 
urine. He took Micronase for about a month before he learned, from 
his wife who is a nurse, that Micronase can do damage to the liver. 
He had read in "Herbal Medicine" by Diane Buchanan and "Back to Eden" 
by Jethro Kloss about the effectiveness of dandelions in controlling 
diabetes. Without saying anything to his doctors, he stopped taking 
Micronase and began drinking dandelion coffee each day. During the 
first week, his urinary sugar, measured night and morning, was 
erratic and unstable, but after a week, his sugar stabilized and when 
he called, he had been getting negative urine sugar readings for over 
a month. The doctors are amazed and can't explain it. An interesting 
side benefit to replacing Micronase with dandelion coffee is that, 
while Micronase damages the liver as a side effect, dandelions are 
particularly known for strengthening the liver.

According to Mr. Gruchawka, he changed nothing but the medication. He 
had cut out pastries and other sugars when he was diagnosed and 
started on Micronase, and has continued to do without those things 
while taking dandelion coffee.

In reporting these claims, however, I must add three qualifiers:

1. First, unfortunately, neither herbs nor synthetic remedies work 
for everyone in the same way. Different bodies respond differently to 
medicines, and what works incredibly well for one person may not work 
at all, or work less well, for someone else.

2. Second, good health results from a combination of healthy diet and 
enough exercise to keep the body toned. Bob Stickle, for all his 
insistence that dandelions cured him, changed, according to a mutual 
friend, his entire lifestyle. He didn't just add dandelion salad to 
what he was already doing.

3. People with health problems need to seek the advice and care of a 
competent physician, with whom this information can be shared. It is 
important to reemphasize that it is presented as information only. I 
am not a medical doctor, and neither advocate nor prescribe 
dandelions or dandelion products for use by anyone or for any 
ailment. Only your doctor can do that.

Because there are so many variables, it is hard to attribute Mr. 
Stickle's cure to any one of them directly. Likewise, Italian farmers 
live a lifestyle which combines a healthy diet, lots of work and 
clean air. They heat and cook with wood, which they have to cut and 
split. They haul water for household use. When they move to the city, 
diet, exercise, and environmental conditions change. Stress and 
sedentary habits increase.

And there is the importance of faith in the healing process, whether 
it be faith in God or faith in the curative properties of the herb 
being taken.

While dandelions, given all these variables, may never be proved to 
cure any specific ill, they are an extremely healthy green which 
cannot in any way hurt you. Research on how much you would have to 
eat to cause harm indicates that eating grass is more dangerous than 
eating dandelions (Hobbs 1985). Therefore, with everything going for 
dandelions, it is highly probable that everyone can derive at least 
some nutritional benefit from them by eating or drinking them 
regularly.

The medical and pharmacological establishment is generally critical 
of claims regarding the use of herbs on disease, and their concerns 
need to be put in perspective.

Herbal medicines have been used very effectively far longer than 
synthetics, and many current pharmaceutical products have been 
derived from research on plants used as medicine by many cultures. 
The problem with plants, however, is that they are available to 
anyone. It is impossible to patent a plant, and thereby gain 
proprietary rights to it. As a consequence, pharmaceutical companies 
attempt to isolate the active properties from medicinal plants and 
synthesize them so that they can patent them. Many of the synthetics 
have serious side-effects which were not present in the natural plant 
product, often because other chemicals in the plant offset them (i.e. 
the large quantities of potassium in dandelions which allows for 
potassium replenishment when dandelion is used as a diuretic).

USDA botanist Dr. James Duke (1989) suggests that a proper and 
appropriate "herbal soup", filled with "vitamins, minerals, fibers 
and a whole host of bioactive compounds," from which the body can 
selectively strain the compounds it needs to restore itself to 
health, will be more effective than synthetic medicines containing 
a "very select and specialized compound or two plus filler, usually 
non-nutritive." This is especially true if the "herbal soup", in the 
form of a potent potherb like dandelion, is a regular part of the 
diet so that the appropriate bioactive substances are present in the 
right amounts when the body needs them.

The book that this reprint was taken from "The Dandelion Celebration-
The Guide to Unexpected Cuisine" is recommended to anyone who would 
like to know more about this remarkable plant. It covers everything 
you could want to know about dandelions and more, including recipes, 
planting, picking and preparing, along with the wonderful history of 
this "Official Remedy for Disorders", Taraxacum officinale, the 
common dandelion.
The Health Benefits of Dandelions
By Peter Gail: Copyright© 1989 by Goosefoot Acres, Inc. All rights 
reserved.


