Dandelion (Taraxacum spp) is much more than just the world’s most common garden weed; it’s also a wonderful cleansing herb and a bountiful source of herbal nutrition, making it an excellent choice for women who would like to get pregnant or who already are.
Dandelion’s Role in Fertility Cleansing & Pregnancy Health
Dandelion encourages bile production in the liver and speeds up the elimination of wastes. For fertility cleansing, dandelion leaf and root can shore up nutrients that may be lacking, while cleansing toxins like hormone disrupting chemicals that can build up and stress the liver. Further, hormone balance can be improved by the use of dandelion because it’s the liver’s job to metabolize excess hormones.
When women embark on a fertility journey, I often encourage them to try liver cleansing herbs like dandelion first. I’ve found that a more regular cycle can result with the use of dandelion and other liver cleansing herbs. Many women report less cramping and less PMS when they use these types of herbs too.
If you’re already pregnant, dandelion is a gentle diuretic for pregnancy-related water retention. It can help fight fatigue, system sluggishness, and constipation, all common pregnancy issues. Dandelion is a high source of vitamin A, B, C, D, calcium, potassium and iron, and is healthy and safe for moms-to-be.
More good news…
In preliminary studies, dandelion has shown success for liver disease like hepatitis, and lowering cholesterol. As a source of plant inulin (not insulin), it may have a role in better sugar balance for diabetes. More studies need to be conducted to better understand its benefits.
My Favorite Ways To Use Dandelion
For liver/fertility cleansing, I like combination formulas:
2. Liver Cleanse Flushing Tea combines dandelion root and leaf with white tea, watercress, hyssop, yellow dock and red sage. You can use both formulas together for added system support and fertility-cleansing benefits.
Dandelion also works well by itself in capsules, teas, or extracts for everyday use. I recommend trying dandelion greens as a healthy side dish with meals once or twice a week for an infusion of herbal nutrition. Just sauté gently and add a little olive oil and lemon. They’re a little bitter at first, but many people grow to love them.
- Yarnell, Eric, ND, RH (AHG) and Abascal, Katchy, JD, RH (AHG). (2009) Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale and T. mongolicum). Retrieved from: http://www.imjournal.com/resources/web_pdfs/0409_yarnell.pdf
- Murray, Michael. (Feb/Mar 1996). Dandelion: A dandy herb for the liver and digestive system. Health Counselor. Vol 8, No 1.
- Grela, E., Sobolewska, S., & Roziński, T. (2014). Effect of inulin extracts or inulin-containing plant supplement on blood lipid indices and fatty acid profile in fattener tissues. Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 17(1), 93-98. doi:10.2478/pjvs-2014-0012 Retrieved from: http://www.uwm.edu.pl/pjvsci/1_2014/12.pdf
- Jia, Y., Guan, R., Wu, Y., Yu, X., Lin, W., Zhang, Y., . . . Zhao, Y. (2014). Taraxacum mongolicum extract exhibits a protective effect on hepatocytes and an antiviral effect against hepatitis B virus in animal and human cells. Molecular Medicine Reports, 9(4), 1381-1387. doi:10.3892/mmr.2014.1925 Retrieved from: https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/mmr.2014.1925
- Page, Linda, Ph.D. & Traditional Naturopath & Abernathy, Sarah. (2011). Healthy Healing 14th Edition.
