Dandelion root: medicinal properties and contraindications

With the arrival of spring days, when the earth warms up from the first rays of the sun, here and there, funny and freedom-loving yellow flowers - dandelions begin to peep. Freedom-loving, because they cannot live in captivity, they quickly wither in a vase. And they’re funny, because a glade of bright yellow flowers can fill any person with a good mood. However, few people know that dandelion is not only pleasing to the eye, but also incredibly healthy. Today we’ll talk about the root of dandelion - its beneficial properties, method of application and precautions that should be observed with such treatment.

How to prepare dandelion root

A few centuries ago in the villages women always harvested the root of dandelion - every good housewife should have it. Still, the root replaced a good half of the medicines, had an excellent effect on many human organs. It is necessary to collect dandelion root either in early spring, when the plant has not yet let all its healing juices go up, or in autumn, when the leaves begin to wither. It is better to collect the roots in the fall - during the summer, the root manages to fill up and collect a lot of useful components. In summer, you can’t harvest the root - all the power of the plant at this time in the leaves and flowers.

To harvest the root you will need a shovel. Dig large and mature plants — their roots are larger. After digging up the roots, you need to clear the stems, leaves and small web of roots. The root must be washed, and the sooner the better. If possible, the root should be washed immediately in a river or other body of water. Dip the roots in the basket and draw water into it several times. The roots need to be slightly dried for several hours, so that the place of the slices ceases to secrete white milk. And only after that the roots of the dandelion are removed for the main drying.

Drying useful and valuable roots is necessary in a well-ventilated and shady place. The attic is perfect. It is impossible to dry the roots in the sun - the beneficial component glycoside is destroyed by ultraviolet radiation. For quick drying, you can put the roots in the oven. The roots can be passed through a meat grinder, and only then dry the pulp, regularly mixing it. So the raw materials will dry much faster, but will be stored less time. A well-dried root is quite dense, breaks with a bang. Outside, the roots are dark, and on the fault have a lighter shade. Keep dandelion root in a canvas bag, wooden box or cardboard box. Be sure to put cotton soaked in chlorophyllipt in a container. This will protect the cooked product from rodents and pests.

The healing properties of dandelion root

Many healers compare dandelion root with ginseng root - its therapeutic effect is so wide and varied. It contains numerous acids, vitamins, micro and macro elements, and other useful components. Due to this, the root has a tremendous effect on the body.

1. Vessels and blood. A decoction of dandelion roots helps to improve the condition of blood vessels, makes them more elastic, mobile, cleanses blood vessels of cholesterol plaques, and reduces total cholesterol in the blood. Dandelion perfectly cleans and dilutes the blood, reduces the risk of blood clots. This is achieved due to the high concentration of calcium and potassium, which are so necessary for the work of the heart.
2. Liver. Dandelion root can be used as one of the best means to cleanse the liver and gall bladder. The composition removes small stones from the gallbladder, helps to remove and renew bile, cleanses the bile ducts. However, in this case, dandelion should be taken only after consulting a doctor - with clogged bile ducts, decoction of the roots can be dangerous. Such a medicine is used to cleanse the liver from long-term drug treatment, after alcohol or toxic poisoning.
3. Stomach. The components that make up the root contribute to the secretion of gastric juice and improve appetite. It is effective for gastritis with reduced secretion of gastric juice. When using a decoction of the root, digestion improves, foods are better absorbed.
4. For the endocrine system. The root contains inulin, which is necessary for the work of the human endocrine system. A sufficient amount of inulin is necessary for diabetics. If you consume a decoction of dandelion root regularly, you can establish a metabolism, lose weight, improve metabolism. A decoction of dandelion root is also useful for pancreatitis.
5. Against constipation and worms. A decoction of dandelion root is also useful for constipation. It has a mild laxative effect - you can cleanse the intestines if you drink a glass of decoction on an empty stomach in small sips. The bitterness that is present in dandelion is simply poisonous to parasites of various kinds. With a weekly intake of a decoction of dandelion roots, helminths die and are naturally excreted from the intestines.
6. Immunity. Decoction and infusion of dandelion root is used in the fight against various colds. The medicine has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, strengthens the immune system, inhibits the development of viruses and bacteria in the body. In addition, a decoction of dandelion roots can be used as an antipyretic at high temperatures caused by SARS. The broth is also useful for coughing - it has an expectorant effect.
7. For young mothers. Dandelion broth helps to improve lactation. If you drink a glass of broth in small portions per day, there will be much more milk. It is better to drink the broth in a warm form. For the first time, you need to drink a decoction of dandelion little by little, watching the reaction of the child.
8. Urinary system. Dandelion root is very useful for the urinary system, especially the female. This is an excellent treatment and prevention of cystitis. With regular consumption of a decoction of the root, you can get rid of edema - remove excess water from the body.
9. Outdoor application. Dandelion root, or rather, its decoction, is very useful for external use. Baths are made of it for gout, sprain, arthrosis. Use the decoction as an anti-inflammatory agent for furunculosis, eczema, allergic rash. This is an effective remedy for burns, cuts, abrasions. Very often, a decoction of dandelion roots is used in the fight against pressure sores. The components of dandelion enhance blood circulation in stagnant tissues, activate skin regeneration processes.

In addition, the root is effective in various cosmetic problems. The broth perfectly brightens age spots, eliminates freckles and unwanted tanning. Dandelion is actively used for problem skin. Anti-inflammatory properties help get rid of acne and comedones.

How to apply dandelion root

As a rule, either a decoction or a tincture of alcohol is prepared from the root. For a decoction of the roots you need to grind, and put in a glass jar. Pour boiling water. About two tablespoons of crushed raw materials will be needed per liter of boiling water. You can’t boil the broth over an open fire - and you will lose all the useful properties of the medicine. Close and wrap the jar so that the liquid absorbs the valuable properties of the root, let it brew for about two hours.This broth is perfect for treatment - it is usually recommended to drink it on an empty stomach. For cosmetic purposes, a more concentrated broth is prepared - about the same amount of raw materials per glass of boiling water.

Tincture is used for longer storage and treatment. To prepare it, fill the bottle with dark glass with chopped roots, fill it with alcohol or vodka, let it brew in a cool place for about two to three weeks. Shake the bottle periodically to make the tincture more concentrated and saturated. Tincture should be drunk for medicinal purposes, 15-20 drops, diluting in a small amount of water. You can store tincture of dandelion roots in the refrigerator for about three months.

Contraindications for dandelion root

Any, even the most potent folk or drug medicine has its own number of contraindications. And dandelion root is no exception. First of all, you need to understand that such funds for constipation can not be used for food poisoning, dysentery and a tendency to diarrhea. This can lead to aggravation of the situation and dehydration of the body. Also, the root cannot be used if the bile ducts are clogged or too large stones are located in the gallbladder. A decoction can provoke their movement, which will lead to a pain syndrome.

Dandelion is an amazing plant. From its leaves, stems and roots, medicinal tinctures and decoctions are prepared. Delicious jam is made from flowers and rich wine is made. And if the dry roots of dandelion are fried and brewed, you can get a tasty drink that looks like coffee. Young dandelion leaves are added as greens to salads. Milk of a freshly cut stem discolors freckles perfectly. Dandelion is not a weed, it is a gift of nature to be used wisely.

Video: what treats dandelion root