Children are often delighted by dandelions, picking the pretty yellow flower for Mom. Once the flower goes to seed, kids find hours of entertainment in blowing the puffballs and watching the seeds scatter. Most adults, on the other hand, consider dandelions to be a pesky weed that needs to be pulled.
In reality, dandelions may be more than just a weed. Although no scientific data is available to back up healing claims, many attribute healing to the dandelion. Here are 6+ benefits you may be able to get from dandelions.
1. Stomach. According to WebMD, some claim that dandelions help calm an upset stomach. Dandelions can be consumed as a tea or in a salad.
2. Water retention. How Stuff Works states that dandelions contain a chemical that causes the body to increase its urine production, helping remove excess water.
3. Weight. Healthline suggests that dandelions might be able to aid in weight loss much like a medication that is on the market.
4. Tonsillitis. According to WebMD, some people report healing faster from a tonsillectomy if they eat soup make with dandelions.
5. Urinary tract infection. Healthline reports that dandelion combined with uva ursi seems to help prevent UTIs.
6. Calcium. Medical News Today says that dandelion greens are an excellent source of calcium.
7. Vitamin A. According to Mercola, dandelions contain 112 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin A.
You may still just consider the dandelions in your yard a nuisance, but you might decide to give them a whirl in a salad or tea if you're going to pull them out anyway.