The lowly Dandelion, the usual grass destroying culprit in our yards that gets cut on a regular basis with the lawnmower, is known by a variety of names such as lion's tooth, fairy clock, priest's crown, swine's snout, blow ball, milk gown, and wild endive.
In addition to medicinal uses, dandelion can be used as a food and beverage. Leaves can be used raw in salads and sandwiches, or for tea. Roots can make a coffee substitute and the flowers can be used for wine and schnapps.
In Europe, the dandelion was used to treat fevers, boils, diarrhea, fluid retention, heartburn, and various skin problems. The Chinese used dandelion to treat breast cancer, inflammation, lack of milk flow, liver diseases, and digestive problems. As far as weight loss is concerned, the dandelion is considered to be a natural diuretic. It may produce significant weight loss by decreasing body water. However, it can cause allergic reactions and heartburn.
Weight control is definitely an obsession worldwide. In the US alone, two-thirds of the adult population is overweight and one third is classified as obese. It is any wonder that the natural herbal weight loss industry now offers more than 50 supplements and 125 proprietary products for weight loss. The question is have they been thoroughly tested to see if they live up to their claims.
Dandelion has been around for a long time, and thus has a history to support its claims. Those who support the use of dandelion in weight loss claim it may flush out the kidneys, boost metabolism, and cut your craving for sweets. How? Eating the leaves raw in a salad, or making tea and drinking it three times a day. These may trim pounds in short order thanks to the diuretic effect, but continued use can cause dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities. You need to read all you can about any weight loss products before you try them. For safe weight loss, your best bet would be to use the tried and true methods of changing your eating habits and exercising more.
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