Dandelion Tea Health Benefits for Weight Loss, Liver & Skin

Dandelion tea benefits include diuretic effects, support for liver function and improved digestion. Many people use dandelion root and leaf extracts to help them shed water weight.

Dandelion tea is also used for weight loss, detoxification, heart health, bile stimulation, urinary tract infections and as a blood tonic. Most uses for dandelions are based on traditional herbal medicine principals; primarily from China and India.

While preliminary research into dandelions suggests certain benefits, most studies on this herb have only involved animals and in vitro experiments. Human studies are needed to determine the efficacy of this plant for medical purposes.

Dandelion tea can be prepared using the dried plant or can be made by purchasing pre-packaged tea bags. There are no serious side effects associated with proper use of dandelion tea, but you should check with a doctor for appropriate dosages and usage instructions.

Dandelion Root

Herbal Supplement

Liver Health

Detox

Immunity

How It Works:

• Supports liver and kidney health
• Used as a diuretic & detox supplement
• Exhibits anti-inflammatory properties

Dosage:

Varies depending on formulation

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Dandelion Tea Benefits

Dandelions are natural diuretics that have been used traditionally to improve kidney infections, liver disorders, gallstones and general urinary health.

Increasing the frequency and volume of urination helps to rid the body of toxins, salts, hormones and fats that may otherwise accumulate in the blood, tissues and organs; possibly causing dysfunction and/or disease.

Prescription diuretic medications are used for various purposes including congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, kidney disease and hypertension. Some of these medicines include Diuril, Lozol, Enduron, Lasix, Aldactone and Dyrenium.

Besides producing urine, the kidneys perform several other important functions in the body. For instance, they produce certain hormones which affect the function of other organs in the body. When the kidneys are not healthy, symptoms including high blood pressure, fluid retention and chronic fatigue may develop.

How Does Dandelion Tea Work?

Researchers believe that a plant sterol in dandelions called taraxasterol causes the diuretic effects. This phytochemical has been shown to induce diuretic activity that is comparable to certain mainstream diuretic medications.

Taraxasterol helps to remove fluid accumulations from between the skin and other tissues. This causes the appearance of the skin to look “tighter”. Because of this, many bodybuilders supplement their diets with dandelion tea, or other dandelion supplement products.

Some conventional diuretics deplete potassium stores in the body. These medications may cause low blood levels of potassium; a condition called hypokalemia.

Dandelions contain high amounts of potassium and low amounts of sodium. Unlike some prescription diuretics, dandelion extracts provide potassium to the body instead of stripping it away.

Although dandelions have been used traditionally for certain conditions that a diuretic may help with, there are limited clinical research studies involving this herbal extract. More research is needed to evaluate this plant for its potential medicinal use.

Dandelion Tea Benefits for Detoxification

Many people use dandelion root and leaf extract supplements promote liver and kidney health.

The liver is believed to have as many as 500 separate functions in the human body, but is primarily responsible for keeping our systems clear of toxins which can cause dysfunction. The kidneys and urinary tract are also very important for cleansing the blood.

By increasing the amount of urine produced and expelled from the body, dandelion tea may support liver and kidney health.

When toxins are expelled via urination, they are no longer burdens to the filtration systems. This decreases the workload required for effective liver and kidney detoxification and may lead to improved systemic (whole-body) health.

Dandelion extracts also demonstrate antioxidant benefits. Antioxidants help to minimize damage from environmental pollutants and other toxins we are constantly coming into contact with.

Dandelion tea might help to protect liver and kidney cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. In a research study, administration of dandelion with green tea extract increased the activity of the detoxifying enzyme UDP-glucoronosyl transferase.

Other studies have found this extract to promote hepaprotective effects by improving blood lipid profiles and decreasing transaminase (AST, ALT), and gamma-GT concentrations.

Dandelion Tea Benefits for Weight Loss

Some people use dandelion teas and oral supplements for weight loss purposes. However, there is no reliable research in this area to support this use.

Weight loss caused by dandelions will most likely be due to shedding excess fluid weight. This will cause you to weigh less when you step on the scale, but the effect will be temporary. In order to promote lasting weight loss results, body fat composition must be reduced.

In a single animal study, dandelion extract administration inhibited the maturation of new fat storage cells (preadipocytes). However, no human studies have addressed the potential effects of dandelions on fat mass. Currently, there is research available to evaluate the effects of dandelion tea on fat mass or weight loss in humans.

Dandelion Tea Benefits for Diabetes

Dandelion has also been researched for its anti-diabetic effects, although it has not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of diabetes.

Plasma lipids and blood glucose levels affect diabetes symptoms. Preliminary research suggests that dandelions may reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and help to modulate blood glucose levels.

In a 2001 study involving mice with diabetes, a dandelion extract reduced glucose in blood samples.

In a single study involving rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet, dandelion leaf raised HDL (good) cholesterol and reduced LDL (bad) cholesterol.

The pancreas produces and secretes insulin which regulates glucose in the blood. In rat models of pancreatitis, low doses of dandelions have shown protective effects on pancreas function. Dandelion tea may support pancreatic health and subsequently help to improve insulin signalling.

Dandelions have been used traditionally to balance blood sugars and lipids. However, to date, no human studies have been conducted into the effects of dandelion tea on diabetes. Significantly more research is needed in this area.

Dandelion Tea Benefits for Skin Health

Dandelion stems contain a milky white liquid that is believed to benefit certain skin disorders. It is a highly alkaline substance that demonstrates antifungal, antimicrobial and insecticidal properties.

Dandelions have shown significant effects concerning the proliferation (rapid number increase) of skin fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are cells which synthesize collagen and extracellular matrix in animals. They provide the structural framework for tissues and are important in wound healing.

2015 research reports that dandelion leaf and flower extracts protect skin cell viability from irradiation. Many people use dandelion tea to benefit skin disorders like eczema, ringworm, psoriasis and infections. However, these uses have not been clinically validated.

More studies are needed to determine the efficacy of dandelion extracts for improving skin health.

Dandelion Tea Benefits for PCOS

PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) affects more than 5% of all women. It is the most prevalent cause of female infertility and can lead to endometrial cancer if left untreated. Women with PCOS are at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.

Diet is an important factor in managing PCOS. In general, the best PCOS foods have low glycemic loads, which means they do not cause large spikes in blood sugar.

Many women include dandelion tea and greens as a regular part of their PCOS diets.

A 55-gram serving of raw dandelion greens provides just 25 calories and has a glycemic load of only 2. In comparison, a single 30-gram slice of white bread has 79 calories and a glycemic load of 110.

Conclusions

Dandelions have been used widely for their purported health benefits through history and continue to grow in popularity today. Dandelion tea benefits may include improved liver function, improved detoxification and better regulation of blood sugar.

Although there are rare reports of mild and temporary digestive side effects, most people experience no adverse effects from using dandelion teas or supplements. A small percentage of people have allergic reactions to dandelions and dandelion pollen.

Note that there are possible interactions between dandelion tea and certain medications, especially blood thinners and medicines metabolized by the liver. Tell your doctor about all medications and herbal supplements you are using.

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