Dandelion are a family of flowering plants that grow in many parts of the world . They’re also referred to as Taraxacum spp., though Taraxacum officinal is the utmost usual species. You may be most conversant in dandelion as a stubborn weed that never seems to go away your lawn or garden. However, in traditional herbal medicine practices, dandelion are illustrious for their varied array of medicinal properties. For centuries, they’ve been used to treat a myriad of physical ailments, including cancer, acne, disease and digestive disorders. Here are some potential health benefits of dandelion, and what science has got to say about them. Highly Nutritious In terms of nutritional content, the dandelion patch in your garden can join the rankings with the remainder of your vegetable garden.. From root to flower, dandelion are highly nutritious plants, loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber. Dandelion greens are often eaten cooked or raw and function a superb source of vitamins A, C and K. They also contain vitamin E , folate and little amounts of other B vitamins (1). What’s more, dandelion greens provide a considerable amount of several minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium (1). The root of the dandelion is rich within the carbohydrate inulin, which may be a sort of soluble fiber found in plants that supports the expansion and maintenance of a healthy bacterial flora in your intestinal tract (2Trusted Source). Dandelion root is usually dried and consumed as a tea but also can be eaten in its whole form. The nutritional substance of dandelion extends to each portions of the plant. It’s a rich foundation of many vitamins, minerals and fiber. Contain Potent Antioxidants Dandelion is filled with potent antioxidants, which can clarify why this plant has such broad applications for health. Antioxidants are molecules that support neutralize or prevent the negative effects of free radicals in your body. Free radicals are a product of standard metabolism but are often very destructive. The presence of too many free radicals contributes to disease maturity and accelerated aging. Therefore, antioxidants are an elemental for keeping your body healthy. Dandelion contains high levels of the antioxidant beta-carotene, which is understood to supply strong defense against cellular damage and oxidative stress (3Trusted Source). They’re also rich in another category of antioxidants called polyphenols, which are found within the highest concentration within the flower but are present within the roots, leaves, and stems as well. Dandelion are a rich source of beta-carotene and polyphenolic compounds, both of which are known to have strong antioxidant capabilities that can prevent aging and certain diseases. Help Fight Inflammation Dandelion could also be effective in reducing inflammation caused by disease thanks to the presence of varied bioactive compounds like polyphenols within the plant. Inflammation is one among your body’s natural responses to injury or illness. Over time, excessive inflammation can cause permanent damage to your body’s tissues and DNA. Some test-tube studies have revealed significantly reduced inflammation markers in cells treated with dandelion compounds (5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source). A study in mice with artificially induced inflammatory lung disease showed a big reduction of lung inflammation in those animals that received dandelion (7Trusted Source). Ultimately, more research is required to obviously define dandelion’s role in reducing inflammation in humans. Small animal and test-tube analyses suggest that dandelion have a substantial anti-inflammatory capacity, though more research is needed to better cognise how dandelion affect inflammation in humans. Aid Blood Sugar Control Chicoric and chlorogenic acid are two bioactive compounds in dandelion. They’re found altogether parts of the plant and should help reduce blood glucose . Test-tube and animal studies show that these compounds can improve insulin secretion from the pancreas while simultaneously improving the absorption of glucose (sugar) in muscle tissue. This process results in improved insulin sensitivity and reduced blood glucose levels (8Trusted Source). In some animal analyses, chicoric and chlorogenic acid partial the digestion of starchy carbohydrate foods, which can also contribute to dandelion’s potential ability to scale back blood glucose (4Trusted Source). While these early study results are encouraging, more research is required to work out if dandelion work an equivalent way in humans. The dandelion plant encloses bioactive compounds that have been shown to reduce blood sugar in animal and test-tube studies. More research is needed to determine if the same effect would be seen in humans. . Reduce Cholesterol Some of the bioactive compounds in dandelion may lower cholesterol, which can decrease heart condition risk. One animal study resulted in dramatically reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels in mice that were treated with dandelion extract (9Trusted Source). A rabbit study evaluated the impact of adding dandelion roots and leaves to a high-cholesterol diet. Rabbits that received dandelion had noticeably reduced cholesterol levels (10Trusted Source). Though these outcomes are intriguing, more research is required to work out dandelion’s potential effects on cholesterol in humans. Some animal studies have shown reduced cholesterol levels after consuming dandelion. More research is needed to apprehend how this plant affects levels in humans. Lower Blood Pressure Some people claim that dandelion may condense blood pressure, but supporting evidence is restricted . Traditional herbal medicine practices use dandelion for their diuretic effect supported the assumption that this will detoxify certain organs. In Western medicine, diuretic medications are used to rid the body of excess fluid, which may cause lowered blood pressure. One human study found dandelion to be an efficient diuretic. However, this study was done over a brief period and involved only 17 people (11Trusted Source). Dandelion contain potassium, a mineral related to lowered blood pressure in those with previously elevated levels. Thus, dandelion may have an indirect effect on blood pressure due to their potassium content (12Trusted Source). It’s important to stay in mind that this effect isn’t unique to dandelion but applies to any potassium-rich food consumed as a part of a healthy diet. Dandelion may lower blood pressure due to their diuretic effect and potassium content. However, very little formal research has been conducted to support this claim. Promote a Healthy Liver Animal studies have found that dandelion features a defending effect on liver tissue within the presence of toxic substances and stress. One study revealed significant protection of liver tissue in mice exposed to toxic levels of acetaminophen (Tylenol). Researchers attributed this finding to dandelion’s antioxidant content (13Trusted Source). Other animal studies have shown that dandelion extract may reduce levels of excess fat stored within the liver and protect against oxidative stress in liver tissue (4Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source). However, an equivalent results shouldn’t be expected in humans thanks to differences in human and animal metabolism. Further research is required to work out how dandelion impacts liver health in humans. Animal studies have shown that dandelion protect liver tissue from toxic substances and oxidative stress, but more research is needed to determine their effect