Dandelion- the forgotten plant
In America, dandelion is a weed that we were always taught to eradicate from our gardens and lawns. It was not only thrown away, but it was also vigorously sprayed and hated.
In ancient times, it was revered as a plant with many healing and medicinal properties. Did you know that the dandelion plant is not native to America? It was deliberately brought over by European settlers. Think about that. They had to cultivate the plant, nurture it over the months that it took to travel to America and then carefully plant and grow the plant here. They would not have gone through all that trouble for a weed with no value.
Rather, dandelion has been treasured for its ability to help support the liver and kidney, to help detoxify the body, to expel parasites and to help with skin issues, and of course to help with cancer. It wasn't until America became fixated on having the perfect lawn that the understanding of the importance of dandelions was lost.
I have actually found through my studies that most plants labeled as weeds have been seen as incredibly useful in the past.
One thing that I love about dandelion is the variety of ways in which you can enjoy the plant. All parts of the plant, seeds and stem have been shown to be beneficial. People have made wine, coffee, ice cream, and candy from dandelion. And of course, the leaves can be made into a healthy salad.
Dandelion is nutrient and mineral rich.
You know how much I love TCM and dandelion is heavily used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. They use it to clear heat out of the body, increase lactation, relieve phlegm, reduce inflammation and to treat eczema.
But why is dandelion in my PDRN Pink Peptide serum? Studies have shown dandelion to be helpful in reducing inflammation, fighting acne and fighting premature aging. Dandelion has been shown to protect the skin barrier while calming irritated skin. Packed with vitamins A, C and E and potassium, calcium and magnesium, dandelion can impart valuable nutrients into the skin. It's antibacterial and antifungal properties can help to improve acne, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. I think that it is one of the ingredients that makes my serum a game changer.
I typically keep dandelion tea in my house. I would love to drink it daily as it can be helpful as a diuretic, in expelling phlegm and in supporting the kidney and liver. However, I take breaks. I don't want to overwork my kidney, so I do a few weeks on and a few weeks off.
I am just highlighting some of the reason why I love dandelion and why I had to include it in my serum. You might want to try it in some fashion and see how it works for you.
SOURCES:
Fan M, Zhang X, Song H, Zhang Y. Dandelion (Taraxacum Genus): A Review of Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effects. Molecules. 2023 Jun 27;28(13):5022. doi: 10.3390/molecules28135022. PMID: 37446683; PMCID: PMC10343869.
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/dandelion
https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/common-dandelion