What are the health benefits of Dandelion in Chinese medicine

Condition analysis:
Dandelion plant is believed to have originated in the Central Asian region, from where it become naturalized in many parts of the temperate and semi-tropical regions including the Mediterranean. It is a very hardy plant that grows vigorously everywhere in the fields, lawns, and meadows. It features elongated, stout taproot from which, long-jagged dark-green leaves arise directly from the ground surface in a radiating fashion.

Golden yellow color flowers appear at the end of hollow-stalks by late spring to early autumn. Its hollow flower stalks filled with sweet-scented nectar, attracting bees. Flower-stalks rise straight from the root.

A fully grown-up plant reaches about 45 cms in height. Almost all parts of the plant exude milky, navajo-white color latex from the injured site.

Instructions:
Dandelion Health benefits:
Certain chemical compounds in fresh dandelion greens, flower tops, and roots are known to have antioxidant, disease preventing, and health promoting properties.

Besides, its latex is an excellent laxative. These active principles in the herb help reduce weight and control cholesterol levels in the blood.

Dandelion root, as well as other plant parts, contains Taraxacin, a bitter crystalline principle, and Taraxacerin, an acrid resin. Further, the root also contains inulin (not insulin) and levulin. Together, these compounds are responsible for various therapeutic properties of the herb.

Fresh dandelion leaves carry 10,161 IU of vitamin-A per 100 g (about 338% of daily recommended intake), one of the highest source of vitamin-A among culinary herbs. Vitamin-A is an essential fat-soluble vitamin and antioxidant, required for maintaining healthy mucosa and skin.

Its leaves packed with numerous health benefiting flavonoids such as carotene-?, carotene-α, lutein, cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin. Consumption of natural foods rich in vitamin-A and flavonoids (carotenes) help the human body protect from lung and oral cavity cancers. Zeaxanthin supposed to possess photo-filtering functions and therefore, may help protect the retina from harmful UV rays.

The herb is an ideal source of minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids which helps regulate heart rate and blood pressure. Iron is essential for red blood cell production.The human body uses manganese as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.