Dandelions And Your Health

 Almost everyone hates that pesky weed called the dandelion. Every year when the weather gets warm sure enough some yard in your neighborhood will have a huge crop of dandelions. You cringe in fear and anger at the prospect of all those dandelions going to seed. Truly it will be an ill wind if any of those seedlings get blown into your carefully manicured lawn.

Most people don't realize that the common dandelion is a very powerful detoxification agent. It has been used for generations to treat liver and kidney ailments of all sorts. Its detoxification power has also been used to treat respiratory problems, cure gastro-intestinal ailments and cleanse the circulatory system. It even is reputed to help dissolve some kidney stones.

In northern China, the dandelion is considered to be one of the top 10 herbs. But if you live in the southern hemisphere you probably have never seen a dandelion. Most people in North America and Europe are very familiar with the yellow flowered dandelion.

The word dandelion literally means "lion's tooth" because of the jagged shape of the leaves. The French, however, tend to be a little more adventurous when it comes to naming things. They figured out the medicinal and detoxification value of dandelions a long time ago. Their name for dandelion is "pissenlit". Can you guess what that translates to in English? You guessed it. It means, "piss in bed".

The French gave it that name because dandelions are very powerful diuretics. In other words they very quickly cleanse and accelerate your urinary system. It is not uncommon for children playing in a field of dandelions to wet the bed later that night. It really isn't the kid's fault. The dandelions did it. This stimulation of the child's liver also has a powerful detoxification effect. It flushes out all kinds of toxins.
Although dandelions are almost always treated as weeds they are listed by the US Department of Agriculture as one of the top vegetables for nutrition.

They are chock full of all kinds of vitamins and minerals. But if you decide to experiment with the detoxification power of dandelions how do you go about preparing them? What part is eatable and what gets thrown out? All parts are eatable but generally only the flower and leaves are consumed.

 You can put the leaves in a salad and eat them that way. Or put a colander full of dandelion leaves in a juicer along with an apple and make apple-dandelion juice.
 Checking the internet for dandelion recipes will reveal a whole host of preparation options. Of course, make sure the dandelions you collect have not been treated with pesticides or weed killer. And to be safe thoroughly wash them before preparation. If you have liver or kidney problems make sure you consult with your doctor before trying dandelions.

Dandelions have also been reputed to remove warts. If you rub the yellow flower part on a wart and do this once a day for a month or so many people have reported that their warts go away. Of course this may just be an old wife's tale. But if you have warts it certainly would not hurt to give it a try and see if it helps.
 There are many detoxification treatments and cures that work but have not yet been thoroughly tested and documented by doctors and scientists.

So when next spring brings a heavy crop of dandelions to your front lawn, don't despair. Harvest them and put them to good use before you break out the weed killing pesticides. Clear the "weeds" but don't let the detoxification power of dandelions go to waste.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Detoxification [http://detoxification-guides.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Effective Against Acne? Dandelion and Its Healing Properties

 
The benefits of dandelion as a herbal cure are plentiful. But is it really effective when it comes to acne? Dandelion tea, in particular, is being toted as an effective substance for controlling acne, but it has yet to be proven if its claims can be universally accepted.

Some people claim that when they were looking for natural cures for their acne, dandelion tea worked. This may have been incidental, or the lessening of the acne could well have been caused by the ingestion of dandelion tea. Let us first examine the properties of dandelion tea and see if they would indeed contribute to its effectiveness.

Dandelion is known as a hated weed. However, it is also recognized as a valuable medicinal herb. For example, it has been proven to have strong diuretic properties. This means it is good for expelling water and waste from the body. This would make it an excellent component for tea, which is why it is often marketed in tea form.

Expelling waste water and substances from the body helps in cleansing the liver, which in turn helps in creating a better blood circulation. The liver is instrumental to filtering out toxic elements in the bloodstream, but if the liver is overloaded with toxins, it is not able to do its job well.

Some believe that a poorly functioning liver or a bad bloodstream causes acne. However, the cause of acne is known to not be related to the liver, or to the bloodstream. Acne is caused by an overproduction of hormones, which is why it often happens in certain particularly hormonal stages in our life, like pubescence and pregnancy. Even with a healthy liver or circulatory system, acne may still take place if the hormone imbalance exists.
It has also been scientifically proven that some people have a genetic predisposition to acne, which would explain why Caucasians are more prone to it than Asians are, although both races are of course prone to acne.

However, acne may be aggravated by a number of factors. Irritation caused by rubbing or scratching may cause an acne condition to become more aggressive, and even leave deep scars. Food allergies may also become manifest in acne outbreaks, regardless of whether or not they come with any other symptoms, such as shortness of breath and swelling in any part of the body or face.

If we're worried about what's going to "cure" acne, dandelion tea may not do the trick - however, its ability to cleanse the circulatory system may help in calming down or preventing acne outbreaks. It never hurts to keep the body clean - and it's possible to do this with herbal substances, like dandelion tea.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Mulholland

Dandelion and Acne

Dandelion is one of the most common plants on the planet - but did you know it also one of the most useful for medicinal purposes? Dandelion has long been used to cure ailments like liver disease, kidney disease, digestive disorders, gall bladder problems, and skin abnormalities.

 It is a well-known antioxidant, containing high levels of vitamins A, B, C, and D, as well as providing a good source of iron, potassium, and zinc. Dandelions high antiviral and antioxidant properties make it one of the most beneficial herbs on the market.

How does dandelion root work to treat acne?
Dandelion treats acne by fighting the source of the problem - the excess build up of sebum production in the body. Sebum is the oil that produces acne, and when levels of sebum are too high acne will flourish. Dandelion not only prevents excess sebum from entering the bloodstream, but it also increases liver function to help the body flush out bad bacteria and toxins.

How can I use dandelion for acne treatment?
Dandelion is available in capsules and should be taken daily for best results. It is also one of the main ingredients inside liver cleanse and detox pills, so these are also a good option. Result are not immediate, but will be seen within 3-4 weeks of continual daily use.

Herbal treatments are a very effective way to treat acne for many reasons. Most importantly, natural herbs fight the cause of acne rather than the symptom. They also have NO side effects unlike most other acne treatments.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brittany_Race