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The leaves are great in salads when the plant is young, and a cup of them will give you more than 1 and ½ times the Vitamin ‘A' you require, far more than you will ever get in any carrot. You can also include them in soups and stews. They have a zesty flavor and because of their antioxidant qualities they are recommended for people to include in their diet who have cancer and also as a preventative measure against it. The roots can be dried and used as a coffee substitute, or you can steep the flowers, leaves and even the roots for a tea.
For feminine problems this plant has many uses. It contains an antifungal agent that stops the growth of the yeast that causes vaginal yeast infections. It's diuretic qualities soothe that awful bloated feeling. The dandelion milk is a great skin softener. Put dandelion flowers in your bath water. Used this way they are a tonic for your skin and attitude. The dandelion increases the salt in the blood and helps anemia. It is also a great purifier for the system.
They are great for weight control, the animals that were fed on these lost approximately 30% of their weight. Although it is not recommended that they be used forever to maintain your weight loss, they are certainly effective in getting you to where you want to be. They are considered a high fibre and low fat diet! The dandelion also helps with the treatment of high blood pressure and congestive heart failures. This is not recommended to replace any treatment you are currently undergoing with your physician.
They dandelion stimulates the production of bile and will therefore be very useful for breaking down any fatty substances and is a great preventative for gallstones. Chol-Grandelot is made from a combination of dandelion, milk thistle and rhubarb, this is readily prescribed as a medication for gall bladder diseases and problems. It is also claimed to be of aid to liver related problems.
It is an anti-inflammatory and is thought to be of assistance to arthritis sufferers. This is also used to treat gout, and rheumatic pain. A bath is recommended to soothe aching joints and muscles.
Finally the use of the plant has also brought about the recognition that is does have some control on the sugar levels in our bodies. It reduces them quite well and is being studied to use in the treatment of diabetes. It is said that you should drink no more than 3-4 cups of this per day, but no one seems to limit the eating of it as a salad. Remember to eat the young leaves because the older ones tend to be rather bitter. The root is at it's best after the second year of growth. Also if I were you and thinking of letting the dandelions grow free, or growing them specifically for my own use, I wouldn't advertise it to my neighbors if I were you.
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