Hippocrates was an incredibly smart man who gave the world valuable words to embrace; “Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.”
Dandelions are a leafy green that boasts a rich source of vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, Omega-3, protein and much more. Many cultures worldwide have made the dandelion a staple in their diet. Here in North America, many are still slow at accepting the dandelion as a valuable source of food.
Kudos to University of Windsor (Canada) graduate student Carly Griffin, undergraduate Cynthia Tran, biochemistry professor Siyaram Pandey and Windsor Regional Cancer Centre oncologist Caroline Hamm. Their research uncovered that dandelion root extract caused commercially available human leukemia cells to “effectively commit suicide within 24 hours.” Typically dandelion extract is made in an alcohol-based formula, but these students used a water-based formula as well as an extraction method they developed themselves.
This research was completely funded by the local Knights of Columbus, Council 9671 and this has provided the lab with a platform to test the extract on patient-derived leukemia samples.
Many fear that this discovery, along with so many other natural cancer treatments will be largely ignored or derailed by the mainstream medical community. However, on a positive note, the dandelion has received scientific acceptance as an antioxidant. Natural News reported on March 31, 2012:
“The Journal of Ethnopharmacology published a study in January 2011 which tested the effects of dandelion root tea on leukemia cells. The study showed that dandelion root tea killed leukemia cells through a process called apoptosis. It is believed that dandelion root tea signals a “kill switch” on leukemia cell receptors. Researchers found it “interesting” that dandelion root tea did not transmit the same “kill switch” signal to healthy cells. These scientists also believed that dandelion should be considered a “novel” non-toxic anti-cancer agent.”
Make no mistake; eating dandelion leaves and roots nourishes your body in a multitude of ways. From a nutritional viewpoint, dandelion leaves are great; and from a medicinal viewpoint the list of health benefits is exhaustive. Dandelions (leaves and or roots) are or can:
- Help with healing liver (and kidney disorders) and maintain good health;
- Balance intestinal flora;
- Lower bowel transit time;
- Absorb toxins from bowels;
- A diuretic
- A laxative
- Antispasmodic; and
- A blood purifier.
Dandelions are also a valuable source of flavonoids (including lutein, flavoxanthin, violaxanthin and others).
Most countries have dandelions and these should be valued as an essential food source. Depending where you live, this is not dandelion season; however, many herbal shops sell dried dandelion root and leaves so you need not go without.
Remember, you are what you eat; and when you wild edibles, you will be nutrient-infused with goodness that no grocery store can offer.
Sources:
Weedy Medicine: http://www.uwindsor.ca/weedy-medicine
Natural News: http://www.naturalnews.com/035418_dandelion_cancer_therapy_herbs.html
Nutrition Facts for dandelions: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2441/2
Fascinating stuff – I’ve tried Dandelion leaves added to salad, along with wild watercress. You can’t beat free! Very cool that they’re doing leukemia research with the extract…there are tons of natural cures hiding in the leaves and roots of so many plants.
You can eat every part of the dandelion—roots, stems, leaves and flowers. One option is to fry the flowers in a batter and make dandelion fritters. People have also incorporated dandelions into several beverages: grinding the roots for a coffee-like drink, or even making dandelion wine.
Dandelion Root is frequently used by herbalists to treat liver, kidney, and gallbladder problems. Dandelion Root has been used in China for certain kinds of cancers for centuries. It is incredibly high in potassium and Vitamin A, among other things.
Dandelion Root has been a focus of study for its ability to improve liver and gallbladder function, as well as stimulate appetite. And right now, human clinical trials are taking place to evaluate how Dandelion Root extract might help in treating blood-related cancers, including lymphoma and leukemia. Laboratory studies have shown dandelion to have anticancer properties, but clinical studies have not shown this effect in humans. Dandelion Root extract has anticancer effects against melanoma, leukemia, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer cell lines. However, human studies are limited.
Researchers from Windsor Regional Cancer Centre in Canada announced in February 2015 that approval and funding for human clinical trials on dandelion’s anti-cancer potential had been received. The researchers are testing a potent form of Dandelion Root extract on a group of 30 patients with end-stage, blood-related cancers.
The University of Maryland Medical Center has also noted that the dandelion flower, in particular, possesses strong antioxidant properties which are helpful in averting cancer. Earlier research by Dr. Siyaram Pandey from the University of Windsor further illustrates the anti-cancer potential of dandelion. In otherwise untreatable pancreatic cancer (which is said to have close to a 100 percent mortality rate), Dandelion Root extract was found to induce programmed cell death, also known as apoptosis, in pancreatic cancer cells. It also killed leukemia and melanoma cancer cells in lab mice. Dandelion Root extract similarly induced autophagy, a process by which the body maintains homeostasis through the proper elimination of damaged or malignant cells.
“BxPC-3 and PANC-1 pancreatic cells were sensitive to aqueous DRE (Dandelion Root extract). This extract induces selective apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Dandelion Root extract caused the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential, leading to prodeath autophagy. Normal human fibroblasts were resistant at similar doses,” the study stated.
“We demonstrated that DRE has the potential to induce apoptosis and autophagy in human pancreatic cancer cells with no significant effect on noncancerous cells. This will provide a basis on which further research in cancer treatment through DRE can be executed.”
I spoke on the phone with the gentleman who made this treatment public. He noted the treatment was great for the liver.
When dealing with herbs and plants, it is usually best to use fresh herbs and plants and make the product yourself. When you buy a herb or plant from a health food store, it may not be as effective as making it yourself fresh, especially if it has been dehydrated or stored for a long period of time before it got to the store…….Deepak (mygenericpharmacy)