Bitter Medicine to Heal the Liver - Dandelion

-Hey, mum, why are there so many dandelions growing all around us?

-Well, the plants are not heartless you know. If it finds out that you need something, it will grow all around you

-makes sense. Dandelion is supposed to be good for liver detox and upper digestive tract health and weight loss…off to research!!!

Have you ever head that dandelion is a good herb for cleansing your liver and improving the upper digestive tract? Well, now you have. Well how does it actually do that? Scroll down for the dandelion root extract recipe (for the impatient practitioners).

Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale is known in Ayurveda to pacify pitta and balance kapha doshas and slightly increase vata dosha. It has bitter and pungent qualities and is known in Ayurveda to cleanse the liver, have a diuretic effect, and also reduce cholesterol levels.

Almos counterintuitive, "pitta" is the Sanskrit word for bile. It is known that to balance out pitta, you should add a bitter taste to your daily spectrum of nutrition. Going deeper with the research, it is specified that bitters may act through different systems. There are mainly four theories:

1. Cephalic vagal reflex: stimulation of the oropharyngeal bitter receptors acts reflexively to increase saliva and vagal stimulation to the digestive organs. This theory hasn't been investigated in-depth and there are many pharmacologists who disagree

2. Local reflex: stimulation of both oropharyngeal and gastrointestinal bitter receptors acts locally to increase digestive secretions.

3. Alcohol: alcohol, rather than the bitter taste, improves digestion.

4. Hyperemia: the major influence of bitters on digestion is improved blood circulation in the abdominal organs, mainly resulting from the improved splanchnic blood flow.

These theories are not specific to dandelion, but if you have wondered about the bitter component of healing, here you go.

Dandelion specifically may aid in liver health in the following ways:

• dandelion root extract protects from fibrosis, possibly aids in the regression of liver fibrosis and the enchantment of hepatic regenerative capabilities

• the dandelion root extract has been shown to significantly reduce the increase in triglyceride, cholesterol, high and low-density lipoprotein levels that is suggestive of aiding the regression of fatty liver disease.

• the dandelion root extract has been shown to significantly induce the secretion of TNF-α and IL-1 (inflammatory cytokines) α and apoptosis of Hep G2 cells (human liver cancer cell line) in animal models. There is a possibility that dandelion, therefore, has anti-cancer effects

In the Ayurvedic perspective, the liver is a hot organ related to pitta dosha. Avoiding nutrition and additives from the fire elements such as alcohol, lots of spice, caffeine, and tobacco as well as certain chemicals is one of the ways to protect this organ. Liver issues are associated with emotions of anger, hate, and resentment. It is also tied to feelings of envy, irritability, frustration, impatience, and excessive ambition. The same issues are closely related with pitta mind imbalances, especially when it comes to competition. Keeping a safe balance between your feelings and nutrition also aids in keeping the liver juices flowing and healthy.

Now...let's get practical! Use the abundance all around you

Simple Dandelion Root Extract Recipe

• Collect dandelion roots, wash and rinse them thoroughly

• You can dry the roots or start working with the fresh roots. Slice the roots into tiny pieces, It is better to muddle them afterward, that activates some of the enzymes so that they are extracted better

• Add the alcohol at a 2:1 ratio (2 cups of 50% alcohol to 1 cup of fresh roots). Using 40% of alcohol may not always be enough and there's a higher chance that your tincture gets contaminated

• If you are using dried roots, use a 5 to 1 ratio instead (5 cups of 50% alcohol to 1 cup of dried roots)

• Label the jar with a name and date, seal it and store it in a cool dim place for 2-4 weeks while gently shaking the jar after every few days

• Filter it into a special tincture bottle or a smaller jar

• Use 4-5 ml 3-4 times a day to promote liver health

Bitter spray recipe for better digestion and liver cleansing

2 parts of fresh dandelion root

2 parts of lemon balm

1 and 1/2 parts of fennel seeds

1 part of artichoke leaves

1 part of fresh ginger

1 part of fresh grapefruit or orange

50% alcohol

maple syrup or honey

• Add the rinsed and sliced herbs into a jar so that 3/4 of the jar would be filled. Add 50% alcohol and honey or maple syrup so that you would have 25% honey and 75% of the alcohol. Let it stay for 2-4 weeks in cool and dry and shake daily. After 2-4 weeks filter it and use in a spray pttle (1--3 doses before meals) or a glass jar (1 tbsp before meals)

The references:

1. Bitters: Time for a New Paradigm, M.K. McMullen, J.M. Whitehouse, A.Towell

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4446506/

2. David Frawley, Ayurvedic Healing: A Comprehensive Guide (Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, 1997), 141.

3. E. Devara. Hepatoprotective properties of Dandelion: recent update,. J Pharm Sci 2016, 6:202-205.

https://www.japsonline.com/admin/php/uploads/1850_pdf.pdf

4. Ahmed D, Gulfraz M, Ahmad MS, Tahir RM, Anwar P. Cytoprotective potential of methanolic leaves extract of Taraxacum officinale on CCl4 induced Rats. Pensee J 2013; 75:220-227.

5. Al-Malki AL, Abo-Golayel MK, Abo-Elnaga G, Al-Beshri H. Hepatoprotective effect of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) against induced chronic liver cirrhosis. J Med Plants Res 2013; 7:1494-1505

6. Davaatseren M, Hur HJ, Yang HJ, Hwang JT, Park JH, Kim HJ, Kim MJ, Kwon DY, Sung M.Taraxacum official (dandelion) leaf extract alleviates high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver. Food Chem Toxicol 2013; 58:30-36.

7. Choi UK, Lee OH, Yim JH et al. Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant Effects of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Root and Leaf on Cholesterol-Fed Rabbits. Int J Mol Sci. 2010 Jan; 11(1): 67–78.

8. Body into Balance: An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self-Care, Maria Noel Groves, 2016

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