Article # 420. Dandelion Benefits - What You Need to Know

When people think of dandelions, they usually get an image of the yellow wildflowers that grow so freely in their yards. Many people consider them to be weeds. Did you know that they can actually provide you with several benefits? Dandelion benefits include the improvement of liver function, as well as infection treatment. Dandelions can also help swelling and other conditions. Dandelion supplements are available as capsules, and they can also reduce the side effects of some prescription medications. Talk to your doctor if you think dandelion supplements can help you live a healthier life.

Some of the most well-known dandelion benefits are the ones that are provided to the liver. Dandelion has been used for centuries to treat people who exhibit symptoms that are associated with liver trouble, including jaundice. Dandelion supplements can also treat the symptoms that are associated with liver disorders such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. Studies have also shown that dandelion supplements are effective when it comes to cleansing the liver. They can remove harmful substances that are a result of the environment or even from the breakdown of medications. If you take medications that are metabolized by your liver, you may want to consider taking dandelion supplements along with them.

Dandelion benefits extend to the treatment of infection as well. Supplements that contain dandelion have proven to be helpful in treating inflammatory skin conditions, including acne and eczema. They can also reduce swelling and improve the pain that can accompany muscle spasms. Some studies have suggested that taking dandelion supplements can reduce the growth of cancer cells, but the evidence is inconclusive at this point. It is also interesting to note that dandelion supplements can increase your stomach function. Your gallbladder can especially benefit from dandelion supplements—they can keep gallstone from forming, and they may help dissolve any that are already present.

Finally, it is possible that dandelion supplements can decrease your low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol levels and increase your levels of HDL cholesterol. High cholesterol is a very common problem today, so this may be one of the most important dandelion benefits to date. More research will need to be conducted in this area to find a definite answer, but the prospect is definitely an interesting one. As with any supplement, be sure you talk to your doctor before you start taking dandelion capsules to make sure that they will not interact with any other medications you may be taking.