Dandelion: Miracle or Menace

Healers have known for centuries what many are coming to believe today about dandelions.

While many find dandelions to be a nuisance, healers have known for centuries the health benefits of dandelions. Because it's Spring and dandelions are plentiful less the chemicals many put on their lawns, I thought I share some great things about dandelions as well as some tea ideas.

Health Benefits: 

• purifies blood
• settles digestion 
• prevents gall stones
•  anti-oxidant 
• lower blood sugar 
• may help fight off cancer 
• help with leukemia 
• limits neuron damage in brain 
• more iron and protein than spinach 
• contains 535% of USDA recommended Vitamin K

According to the USDA Bulletin #8, "Composition of Foods" (Haytowitz and Matthews 1984), dandelions rank in the top 4 green vegetables in overall nutritional value. Minnich, in "Gardening for Better Nutrition" ranks them, out of all vegetables, including grains, seeds and greens, as tied for 9th best. According to these data, dandelions are nature's richest green vegetable source of beta-carotene, from which Vitamin A is created, and the third richest source of Vitamin A of all foods, after cod-liver oil and beef liver! They also are particularly rich in fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and the B vitamins, thiamine and riboflavin, and are a good source of protein. Read more

• The roots are wonderful as a liver cleanser, but we're not talking about the roots today.

Dandelion Tea-Yummy Hot or Cold

• Pick dandelion leaves from the base of the leaf. Make sure to find a place where there is little to no vehicles usage; plants do take in the CO (Carbon Monoxide) vehicles put out. 
• You can choose to use the flowers as well, with or without the leaves.
• You can use them fresh or dry them. If I want to save some for later, I either stick them in the dehydrator or just leave them out. It's dry enough in Utah that within a couple of hours they are ready to place in an air tight container. Make sure they are completely dry or they will mold.
•  If I'm using fresh greens, I put a handful in a mug (after cleaning and chopping them), pour in some hot water and let steep for 15-20 minutes. Drink hot or cold.
•  If using dried leaves, I use a tablespoon or so and follow the same procedure.
•  Most of the time, I drink it as it is. Sometimes I add a bit of honey and lemon.
• Don't let it steep too long. It will be bitter.   
• I also use dandelion leaves in salads, soups, smoothies and any other place I use greens. You may want to blanch them in boiling water for 10 seconds before adding them to a salad to get rid of the strong bitter flavor especially if the leaves are bigger and older. 

 Please share any exciting recipes or benefits that I missed!!

 Sources: 

Dr. Mercola

Natural News

The Leaf Lady

Drink Tea and Be Healthy

Photo courtesy of www.teavana.com

Though I still occasionally enjoy a cup of coffee, my heart belongs to tea. I love it's versatility and flavor. Recently having led a group cleanse I decided to research tea's affects to see if it was truly necessary to avoid any tea besides herbal tea. 

I have been drinking black tea since I can remember. I was never aware of the benefits except that it made be feel warm and good all over. Recently there have been numerous studies done on the benefits of drinking various forms of tea. I'm not going to discuss herbals today because they are in a class of there own.
Tea Facts
Tea has been consumed for nearly 5,000 years and certainly played a major role in America's history. American's drink 79 billion servings of tea per year, 84% of it is black tea and 85% of it is iced tea. Compared to our 100 million daily coffee drinkers, there are158 million daily tea drinkers.

Tea is naturally resistant to most insects, a sustainable and an environmentally-friendly product. Tea is natural and does not need much processing. Tea generally has no sodium, fat, calories, sugar or additives.

Does tea make us healthier?
Green and black tea have been shown to reduce stress and increase positive feelings. These teas have been helpful in decreasing cancer formation, increasing weight loss and maintenance, decreasing LDL cholesterol, and increasing bone density while decreasing osteoporosis. Green and black tea have also been shown to decrease Parkinson's and Alzheimer's symptoms and onset.

How? 
Green and Black Teas contain:

• Phytochemicals- naturally occurring plant compounds that are thought to play a role in decreasing the risk of cancer and heart disease and may boost the immune system.
• Polyphenols (antioxidants)- help prevent oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen and nitrogen
• Flavonoids (antioxidants) that help elevate metabolism, increase fat oxidation and improve insulin activity
• Theanine- (an amino acid) lowers the chances of age-related mental decline;
  may reduce mental stress, and produce feelings of relaxation by increasing levels of serotonin, dopamine, and alpha wave activity
• Catechins - (antioxidants) provide modest shifts in metabolism that may improve weight loss
• Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)- (the chief catechin, antioxidant) shown to reduce formation of lung, skin and esophageal tumors
• Caffeine - a stimulant, makes you more alert (8 oz. cup: 25 mg in green tea, 40 mg in black tea, 95 mg in coffee), a little is good, a lot is not

Many of the recent studies on the effects of tea on the brain are discussed in Dr. Jeremy Dean's PSYBlog post, Tea: 6 Brilliant Effects on the Brain.

After completing my research, I think it's good to look at any substance we use repeatedly and see what life is like without it. As far as negative affects go, I'm not concerned about drinking tea. Moderation in most every thing is good. So drink up! My favorites are home-brewed chai's, yet I still love a nice strong black tea and a gen mai cha for my green favorite.
How about you?