Dandelion - A Great Liver Tonic!

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Dandel. ion - " Taraxacum officinale " A Great liver tonic!

 

The fat we consume in our diets enters the gastrointestinal tract, where the

liver secretes a yellowish brown or green fluid called " bile " that is then

discharged into the " duodenum " where emulsification begins.

Sometimes, though, if an undue amount of fat is consumed or if the liver isn't

performing quite as it should, then NOT enough bile gets released to get the

job done.

 

The result can be a bad case of indigestion.

The same bitter components in dandelion root which give it a unique " coffee "

flavor and smell also manage to activate the liver into producing more bile. I

recommend up to 4 capsules of dandelion root powder if you are having a meal

that includes meat or fried food.

 

A warm cup of dandelion root coffee or tea can work just as well. Or try 20

drops of the fluid extract twice daily with meals.

 

It is also very valuable as a liver cleanser for alcoholics recovery.

" Lecithin " is a term used by scientists to denote phosphorus fatty acids

produces inside the body by the liver or found organically in nature. Lecithin

helps in the metabolism of fats, so that they don't accumulate within the liver

or heart, and it is also concentrated in the " myelin sheaths " of our nerves,

protecting them from stress and infection.

 

Dr. James A. Duke, formerly with the USDA Agricultural Research Service in

Beltsville, MD, pointed out in the January 19th, 1991 issue of Science News

magazine that dandelion flowers have a lecithin concentration of 29,700 parts

per million (ppm); soybeans, the traditional source, came in with a count

between 15,000-25,000 ppm.

 

One could just as well drink a glass of dandelion wine every day to get one's

supply of lecithin instead of taking lecithin liquid or granules. I suggest

about 2 tblsp every morning before breakfast.

Better Night Vision

 

The February 16th, 1951 edition of a German Medical Journal entitled " Deutsche

Medizinische Wochenschrift " featured an article concerning a remarkable herbal

treatment for night blindness.

 

A physician, Dr. S. Niedermeier, wrote about the value of dandelion flowers to

help correct this disorder. But the substances in the flowers which does this,

" helenin " , requires the presence of a certain amount of Vitamin A.

So Dr. Niedermeier devised a therapy program which included the dandelion

flowers and fish oil for correcting this problem, as well as improving the

condition of a related disorder called " retinitis pigmentosa " .

It is recommended that fresh dandelion flowers be gathered from an unsprayed

field, rinsed in cold water, and then run through a juicer with one or two

carrots. Spring is the best time for picking the flowers.

 

http://www.demetria.com/herbmonth/herbmonth.asp

 

Actions Diuretic, hepatic, cholagogue, anti-rheumatic, laxative, tonic, bitter.

Habitat: Widely distributed throughout most of the world as a " " troublesome

weed. " " Parts Used: Root or leaf

Dandelion leaf is a very powerful diuretic, its action comparable to that of

the drug (diuretic)`Furosemide'. Unlike the drug Dandelion does not drain the

body of vital potassium while acting as a diuretic.

Dandelion is one of the best sources of natural potassium.

 

Dandelion root may be used in inflammation and congestion of liver and

gall-bladder.

It is specific in cases of congestive jaundice. As part of a wider treatment

for muscular rheumatism it can be most effective. This herb is a most valuable

general tonic and perhaps the best widely applicable *diuretic* and liver

tonic.

 

Combinations: For liver and gall-bladder problems it may be used with Barberry

or Balmony. For water retention it may be used with Couchgrass or Yarrow.

 

Preparations & Dosage: Decoction: put 2-3 teaspoonfuls of the root into one

cup of water, bring to boil and gently simmer for l0-l5 minutes. This should be

drunk three times a day. The leaves may be eaten raw in salads. Tincture: take

5-l0 ml of the tincture three times a day.

From Mrs. Grieves Modern Herbal ---Preparations and Dosages--- Fluid extract,

B.P., 1/2 to 2 drachms. Solid extract, B.P. 5 to 15 grains. Juice, B.P., 1 to 2

drachms. Leontodin, 2 to 4 grains.

 

---Dandelion Tea---

Infuse 1 OZ. of Dandelion in a pint of boiling water for 10 minutes; decant,

sweeten with honey, and drink several glasses in the course of the day. The use

of this tea is efficacious in bilious affections, and is also much approved of

in the treatment of dropsy.

Or take 2 OZ. of freshly-sliced Dandelion root, and boil in 2 pints of water

until it comes to 1 pint; then add 1 OZ. of compound tincture of Horseradish.

Dose, from 2 to 4 OZ. Use in a sluggish state of the liver.

Or 1 OZ. Dandelion root, 1 OZ. Black Horehound herb, 1/2 OZ. Sweet Flag root,

1/4 OZ. Mountain Flax. Simmer the whole in 3 pints of water down to 1 1/2 pint,

strain and take a wineglassful after meals for biliousness and dizziness.

-

--For Gall Stones--- 1 OZ. Dandelion root, 1 OZ. Parsley root, 1 OZ. Balm herb,

1/2 OZ. Ginger root, 1/2 OZ. Liquorice root. Place in 2 quarts of water and

gently simmer down to 1 quart, strain and take a wineglassful every two hours.

 

---For a young child suffering from jaundice--- 1 OZ. Dandelion root, 1/2 oz.

Ginger root, 1/2 oz. Caraway seed, 1/2 oz. Cinnamon bark, 1/4 oz. Senna leaves.

Gently boil in 3 pints of water down to 1 1/2 pint, strain, dissolve 1/2 lb.

sugar in hot liquid, bring to a boil again, skim all impurities that come to

the surface when clear, put on one side to cool, and give frequently in

teaspoonful doses.

 

---A Liver and Kidney Mixture--- 1 OZ. Broom tops, 1/2 oz. Juniper berries, 1/2

oz. Dandelion root, 1 1/2 pint water. Boil ingredients for 10 minutes, then

strain and add a small quantity of cayenne. Dose, 1 tablespoonful, three times

a day.

 

---A Medicine for Piles--- 1 OZ. Long-leaved Plantain, 1 OZ. Dandelion root,

1/2 oz. Polypody root, 1 OZ. Shepherd's Purse. Add 3 pints of water, boil down

to half the quantity, strain, and add 1 OZ. of tincture of Rhubarb. Dose, a

wineglassful three times a day. Celandine ointment to be applied at same time.

In Derbyshire, the juice of the stalk is applied to remove warts.

 

Steamed Greens

Steam the Dandelion Greens Drain and cool Marinate in balsamic vinegar and

allow it to set overnight. Yumm!

_________________________________

Walt <kort-;

Dandelion for Spring Detox More Natural Therapies Solutions Adapted from " The

Seasonal Detox Diet, Remedies from the Ancient Cookfire " , by Carrie L'Esperance

Dandelion, " the tooth of the lion, " is a good springtime healer.

 

Whether the dandelion is a native of North America or a naturalized plant is

debated by authorities; either way it is found and eaten in most parts of the

world. All parts of the dandelion are used, either for food or medicinal

purposes the leaves and crowns for salads and cooked greens, the flowers for

making wine, and the juice for warts and blisters.

 

Always use organic dandelion plants!

The dandelion root is a blood and kidney cleaner and tonic, as well as a

diuretic. It can be used as a general cleansing stimulant for the liver. Both

the dried leaves and the dried and powdered root are used as a bitter tea.

This tea is for any malfunction of the liver. Fresh dandelion leaves or dried

root are valuable additions to a diet for people with diabetes and hepatitis.

(Check with your naturopathic physician before taking any herbal remedies for

such illness.

 

The main benefit of this great herb is to enhance the function of the liver,

but the root is also useful for clearing obstructions of the spleen, pancreas,

gallbladder, and kidneys. It is of tremendous benefit to the stomach and

intestines, balancing the enzymes that simultaneously benefit digestion,

assimilation, and elimination.

 

DANDELION HERBAL TEA

Ingredients 4 cups pure water 6 tablespoons. dried dandelion root (1 year old

minimum) 6 tablespoons dried dandelion leaf (double amount if fresh) Simmer the

dandelion root in the water, uncovered, for 20 minutes, then strain the liquid

over the dandelion leaf. Cover tightly and steep for another 20 minutes; strain

the tea again.