Dandelion root: medicinal properties and contraindications

With the arrival of the spring days, when the earth warms up from the first rays of the sun, here and there merry and freedom-loving yellow flowers, dandelions, begin to look out. Freedom-loving, because they can not live in captivity - quickly wilt in a vase. And 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 pleasant to the eye, but also incredibly good for health. Today we will talk about dandelion root - its beneficial properties, method of application and precautionary measures that should be followed with such treatment.

How to prepare a dandelion root

A few centuries ago, in the villages, women always harvested the dandelion root - it had to be with every good housewife.Still, the root replaced a good half of medicines, it has worked well on many human organs. It is necessary to collect the dandelion root either in early spring, when the plant has not yet started up all its healing juices up, or in the fall, when the leaves begin to fade. It is better to collect the roots in the fall - over the summer, the root has time to fill in and collect a lot of useful components. In the summer you can not collect the root - all the power of the plant at this time in the leaves and flowers.

For harvesting the root you will need a shovel. Dig large and mature plants - their roots are larger. After digging up the roots need to be cleaned from 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 add water to it several times. The roots need to be slightly dried for several hours, so that the place of the cuts will no longer produce white milk. And only after that the dandelion roots are removed on the main drying.

Dry useful and valuable roots need to be well ventilated and shady place. Perfect attic.To dry the roots in the sun can not be - a useful component of the glycoside is destroyed by ultraviolet radiation. For quick drying, you can put the roots in the oven. The roots can be minced, and only after that dry the flesh, stirring it regularly. So the raw material dries much faster, but it will be stored less time. Well dried root is quite dense, breaks with a bang. Outside, the roots are dark, and on the fault they have a lighter shade. Store the dandelion root in a canvas bag, wooden box or cardboard box. Be sure to put in a container of cotton dipped in chlorophyllipt. This will protect the cooked product from rodents and pests.

Medicinal 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 impact 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, clears the blood vessels of cholesterol plaques, reduces the overall level of cholesterol in the blood. Dandelion perfectly cleans and dilutes 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 heart to work.
2. Liver. Dandelion root can be used as one of the best means to cleanse the liver and gallbladder. The composition removes small stones from the gallbladder, contributes to the removal and renewal of bile, cleans the bile ducts. However, dandelion in this case should be taken only after consulting a doctor - when a clogged bile duct decoction of the roots can be dangerous. This drug is used in the purification of the liver from long-term drug treatment, after alcohol or toxic poisoning.
3. Stomach. Components of the root contribute to the secretion of gastric juice, improve appetite. It is effective in gastritis with reduced secretion of gastric juice. When using the decoction of the root, digestion is improved, the products are better absorbed.
4. For the endocrine system. The root contains inulin, which is necessary for the functioning 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 adjust the metabolism, lose weight, improve metabolism. 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 clear the intestines if you drink a glass of broth on an empty stomach in small sips. The bitterness that is present in a dandelion is simply poisonous for parasites of various kinds. With a weekly reception of decoction of dandelion roots, the helminths die and are eliminated from the intestine in a natural way.
6. Immunity. Decoction and infusion of dandelion root is used in the fight against various colds. The drug has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, strengthens the immune system, suppresses the development of viruses and bacteria in the body. In addition, a decoction of dandelion roots can be used as a febrifuge at high temperatures caused by SARS. The broth is also useful when coughing - it has an expectorant effect.
7. For young mothers. Decoction dandelion helps to improve lactation. If you drink a glass of broth in small portions per day, the milk will be much more. Drink decoction better in the form of heat. For the first time you should drink a decoction of dandelion little by little, watching the reaction of the child.
8. Urinary system. Dandelion root is very useful for the work of the urinary system, especially the female one. This is an excellent treatment and prevention of cystitis. With regular consumption of root decoction, you can get rid of edema - remove excess water from the body.
9. Outdoor use. Dandelion root, or rather, its decoction, is very useful for outdoor use. They make baths with it for gout, sprains, arthrosis. Use decoction as an anti-inflammatory agent for furunculosis, eczema, allergic rash. It is an effective remedy for burns, cuts, abrasions. Very often a decoction of dandelion roots is used in the fight against bedsores. Dandelion components enhance blood circulation in stagnant tissues, activate skin regeneration processes.

In addition, the root is effective for various cosmetic problems.Broth brightens perfectly pigment spots, relieves freckles and unwanted tan. 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, they prepare from the root either decoction or tincture of alcohol. For broth, the roots need to grind, and put in a glass jar. Pour boiling water. Per liter of boiling water will need about two tablespoons of crushed raw materials. Boil the broth on an open fire can not be - so you lose all the useful properties of the drug. Close and wrap the jar so that the liquid absorbs the valuable properties of the root, let it brew for about two hours. This decoction is perfect for treatment - it is usually recommended to drink it on an empty stomach. For cosmetic purposes, a more concentrated decoction is prepared - about the same amount of raw material per cup of boiling water.

Tincture is used for longer storage and treatment. For its preparation, fill the crushed roots with a bottle of dark glass, fill it with alcohol or vodka, let it brew in a cool place for about two to three weeks.Periodically shake the bottle to make the tincture more concentrated and saturated. The tincture should be drunk for medicinal purposes at 15-20 drops, diluting in a small amount of water. You can store tincture of dandelion roots in the fridge for about three months.

Contraindications for dandelion root

Any, even the most potent folk or drug medicine has its own number of contraindications. And the dandelion root is no exception. First of all, you need to understand that such remedies 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. Also, the root cannot be used if the bile duct is blocked or there are too large stones in the gallbladder. Broth can provoke their movement, which will lead to pain.

Dandelion is an amazing plant.Medicinal tinctures and decoctions are made from its leaves, stems and roots. They make delicious jam from flowers and make rich wine. And if the dry dandelion roots to fry and brew, you can get a delicious drink, like coffee. Young leaves of a dandelion are added as greens in salads. Milk just cut the stalk perfectly discolored freckles. Dandelion is not a weed; it is a gift of nature that must be used wisely.

Video: what treats dandelion root