Dandelion Root: A Backyard Herb with Many Benefits

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Remedies » Dandelion Root: A Backyard Herb with Many Benefits

Did you know you’ve probably pulled, stomped or sprayed a natural superfood that grows in your backyard? Dandelion is mostly known as a backyard weed, but it has amazing nutrient qualities and health promoting properties.

All the parts of the plant can be used in various ways though the roots and leaves are the most commonly used as herbs. Who knew that this plant with puffy flowers that grant childhood wishes could offer so much benefit?

Dandelion Root and Leaves

Dandelion is a source of a variety of nutrients and the leaves and root contain Vitamins (like A,C, K and B-vitamins) as well as minerals (including magnesium, zinc, potassium, iron, calcium and choline). The various parts of the plant have a long history of use as an herbal remedy, and every documented population in areas where it grows naturally has used it medicinally.

It also serves as an abundant natural food source, as all parts of the plant can be eaten. The root is often roasted and used in teas or consumed whole. The leaves make a great addition to salads or other dishes requiring greens and the flowers (while still yellow), can be eaten raw, cooked or even made into wine!

Traditional cultures have used dandelion to support digestive and hormone health and it was often consumed to support lactation or to help remedy issues like urinary tract infections.

Benefits of Dandelion

According to the How To Herb Book, this backyard superfood is beneficial in many ways, including:

Liver Support and Detoxification

Dandelion has been used for years by various cultures to support healthy liver function and natural detoxification in the body. Though it hasn’t been well studied, many people with hepatitis turn to it to help support the liver. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that:

In the past, roots and leaves were used to treat liver problems. Native Americans also boiled dandelion in water and took it to treat kidney disease, swelling, skin problems, heartburn, and upset stomach. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it has been used to treat stomach problems, appendicitis, and breast problems, such as inflammation or lack of milk flow. In Europe, dandelion was used in remedies for fever, boils, eye problems, diabetes, and diarrhea.

Female Health and Hormone Balance

Due to its high levels of various nutrients and potential ability to help support the body’s natural detoxification systems, dandelion is often used by those with hormone imbalance, urinary infection and recurrent mastitis. Though not well studied, there is an abundance of anecdotal evidence from women who have used it to help remedy recurring UTIs or other infections.

Clearer Skin

Due to its natural magnesium and zinc content and its potential ability to support detoxification, dandelion is also know as being good for the skin. It can be used topically in applications like tinctures and poultices and many people also take it in capsule or tea form to help support healthy skin.

Good Source of Nutrients

Dandelion is a great source of many important vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants and nutritive salts, which may help support blood health and increase iron absorption. I personally often add dried leaves to teas for a nutrient boost or use dandelion root in place of coffee.

Blood Sugar Balance

The University of Maryland Medical Center also reports that:

Preliminary animal studies suggest that dandelion may help normalize blood sugar levels and lower total cholesterol and triglycerides while raising HDL (good) cholesterol in diabetic mice. Researchers need to see if dandelion will work in people. A few animal studies also suggest that dandelion might help fight inflammation.

Uses of Dandelion Root and Leaves

Perhaps we wouldn’t be so quick to remove this “backyard weed” if we were more familiar with the myriad of uses it has. The entire dandelion plant can be used and if you have a safe (non-sprayed) source in your yard or community, you can consider harvesting it yourself.

Here are some of the ways to use dandelion:

Coffee Substitute

Dandelion root is tougher and more hardy than the leaf and is often used in decoctions and tinctures for this reason. The powder is often added in coffee substitutes (my favorite is Dandy Blend). The root is considered a natural diuretic and is sometimes used for this purpose.

Poultices

Dandelion root and leaf are often listed as the ingredients of  teas and poultices for abscesses and sores, especially on the breast and in female health remedies as they can help support lactation and remedy urinary issues.

According to Mountain Rose Herbs:

Chopped dandelion root can be combined with myrrh to make a poultice for boils and abscesses, with honeysuckle flowers to make a tea to be drunk to treat boils and abscesses, with skullcap and/or chrysanthemum flowers to make a tea to be drunk to treat sore eyes, or with heal-all to treat hard phlegm in bronchitis. Can also be administered in capsule or extract form for convenience.

Dandelion Tea

The flower can be used to make tea and even to make some types of wine. The leaves and root can also be used in teas, though they have a stronger taste and are often combined with other synergistic herbs for flavor and increased nutrient absorption.

Salads and Greens

The leaves can be consumed fresh on a salad or in recipes as well as substituted for greens like kale and collards in recipes or cooking. The antioxidant rich leaves are the most diuretic part of the plant so while they can be consumed regularly, it is important to maintain hydration too.

Important Notes:

It is important to check with a doctor before taking this or any herb, especially in large amounts or if taking any other medicine or supplement or if pregnant or nursing. Though it is generally considered safe, those allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigold, chamomile, yarrow, daisies, or iodine may not be able to consume it.

Anyone who gathers dandelion from wild sources (like the backyard) should make sure that the area has not been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides and that it does not come from an area where pets may have eliminated.

Dandelion - a backyard herb with many benefits

Ever used dandelion? How did you use it? Share below!

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

110 responses to “Dandelion Root: A Backyard Herb with Many Benefits”

  1. Angela M Shonyo Avatar
    Angela M Shonyo

    I’m so happy our dandelions have started growing on my lawn in New Hampshire! I like to steep them in water and use them in my soap recipes:)

  2. Katie Avatar

    Hi there,

    Could you please share a link to the Maryland study or article? I’m trying to educate myself about the medicinal uses of dandelion, but can’t find it online.

  3. Anna Avatar

    Hi, just wondering if I pick these from my backyard free of any chemical, how do I store them? Meaning do I separate all parts from each other or store while in baggies? Where should I store them? Thanks

  4. Kait Avatar

    This might sound weird, but when I was little, I figured out that eating the flower petals would make me feel better if I had an upset stomach, and that taking the stems and splitting them to lay on a blister or scrape made it feel better.

    I have no idea if that’s a normal reaction but I thought some might like the anecdote.

  5. Jack Avatar

    I was looking for info on dandelion flower cold fusion what would be a safe length time to cold fusion the flowers?

  6. Kayla Avatar

    Hey there! I truly enjoy your posts and I feel you research extensively. So in your opinion dandelion is safe for nursing mama’s unless your little one has an allergy to it?
    Thank you!

  7. Jennifer Avatar

    I would like to add, please make sure you are harvesting true dandelion. There are LOTS of look-alikes, and while they probably won’t harm you, they won’t have the same benefits. All the “teeth” on a dandelion leaf will point back toward the stem.

  8. Heidi Avatar

    Is Dandelion safe to give to a child in a tea? Is Nettle safe for a child as well? Thank you!

  9. Pat smith Avatar
    Pat smith

    It is absolutely ridiculous to apply heat to food and herbs, it destroys the very beneficial properties. Eat raw or juice with green apples or lemon for taste.

  10. Succhitra Avatar
    Succhitra

    Dear Wellness Mama,

    I’ve been diagnosed with a sluggish gallbladder (HIDA scan). Before opting for a surgery, I am planning to do dietary changes to see if it’ll help in the long run! Would including Dandelion tea and Milk thistle tea help? If I can take them (based on your experience or knowledge, which I trust), should I take the Dandelion root tea or the leaf tea?

  11. Cathryn Avatar

    I have twins teenagers and they have a lot of stomach issues. I think it is their gall bladder and the doctor has put them on antacid medication. I think they are too young to be taking this kind of medicine, Can dandelion tea or leaves help them? and which would be better?

  12. yu Avatar

    Hi
    My dad has panceratic cancer did you think dandelion can helo him?

  13. Kathleen Avatar
    Kathleen

    I just discovered Dandy Blend and am LOVING it! It’s just what I was looking for to replace coffee in my diet, and its health benefits are totally an added bonus. I can’t wait to experiment with adding cacao powder, making cold drinks, and more…thanks for this overview!

  14. Dhirubhai Vadalia Avatar
    Dhirubhai Vadalia

    The best way to eat leaves of dandelion is prepare Gujarati Bhajia. make very small peace of leaves mix with gram flow (Chana Lot) mix crushed ginger and salt then fry and serve. it will give very nice test

  15. Corinna Avatar

    I used to pick them in our back yard in Germany and bring the leaves to the neighbor for their rabbits. I remember my dad telling us not to blow the flower in the yard so they won’t multiply. We call them “Blow Flower”. 🙂

  16. Lydia Mitchell Avatar
    Lydia Mitchell

    I have been told that the dandelion flower has natural Vitamin A. The petals are edible and taste slightly sweet. I like to get a few fresh dandelion flowers, rinse them, them pinch the yellow petals and pull them from the flower head. Then I just sprinkle them over my salad. This adds vitamins for my eyes, bright color to the salad and no flavor change at all.

  17. Lydia Mitchell Avatar
    Lydia Mitchell

    Dandelion Infused oil is a wonderful pain reliever. Joint and muscle pain are lessened when a small amout of dandelion oil I s massaged in.

    To make the infused oil: Pick all the dandelion flowers you can stuff into a glass quart canning jar (flower heads only, and when they are fully open). Fill the jar to the top with a light vegetable oil (fractionate coconut oil or safflower oil) as heavier oils take much longer to absorb into the skin. Pour everything into a blender and spin just enough to pull all the dandelion heads apart and shred finely. Pour back into jar, if there is more room add more oil, stir and cover. Stir a couple of times per day for several weeks, oil will take on a greenish cast. At the end of 4 weeks strain through a bit of cheese cloth and pour into dark bottles or jar. Massage into painful areas as often as needed.

    My brother suffers from painful joints in his hands because he does a lot of heavy work with his hands. This oil provides temporary relief (it is not a cure all) and allows him pain free hours to do the things I enjoys.

  18. Julia Avatar

    I have one of those food processors with a cooking function, and a healthy soup from dandelion is ridiculously easy: ounce of butter / oil, ounce of flour, about 2 ounces of dandelion (or whatever herbs you have on hand), chop on a high rotation for half a minute. Add 4 cups of water or broth, boil 5 to 10 minutes.

    About 1 minute of work for a soup that tastes a bit bitter (don’t use too much dandelion, and young leaves if you can) and is utterly addictive.

    Can of course be enhanced with meat, nuts, sweet chestnuts, cream cheese… what you like.

  19. Victoria Mabry Avatar
    Victoria Mabry

    What if you know that the yard has been sprayed with pesticides some time in the past? Is there a time frame when it would ever be safe to use dandelions from that yard again?

    1. linda Avatar

      Yes but how long might depend upon the chemical used. These guidelines are for industrial chemicals http://psep.cce.cornell.edu/Tutorials/core-tutorial/module05/index.aspx. If you are talking about something you purchased from the garden centre and used last spring then it is more than likely already safe. If you are unsure there should be contact details for the company on the packet and they will be able to give you more certain information.

  20. Kim Avatar

    Dandelion Fritters are awesome!

    There are a ton of recipes online but you pick the dandelions, remove the stem and green leaves off from the underside of the flower, the key is to use them fresh right after picking – make a batter with flour and either maple syrup or honey to sweeten (I forget all the ingredients), dip the flower heads in the batter and then pan fry them. They are soooooo good. I was skeptical at first but happy I tried them. Highly recommend.

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