When searching for powerful aids in the fight against cancer, one need look no further than nature itself. Often, what we consider the lowliest of God’s creations turns out to be an indispensable ally in the prevention and treatment of many life threatening diseases. A case in point is the lowly dandelion. Common to many lawns and gardens across the world, and often considered little more than a weed and a gardener’s nuisance, the lowly dandelion offers many surprising health benefits. Instead of spending our summers trying to eradicate this plant from our gardens and lawns, we should be taking a closer look at what the dandelion has to offer in support of our total health.
The Dandelion – Pest or Providence?
The dandelion, though often considered a weed, is in fact a member of the daisy family. It is entirely edible and extremely nutritious. In fact, the dandelion was a common part of the American diet prior to industrialization and the rise of prepackaged and over processed food stuffs. Dandelions have been used to make tea, to flavor wine, and have been eaten raw and/or cooked as a component of tasty and healthful summer salads. Just why this remarkable plant has become so despised is unclear, but the time has come to reevaluate the daisy’s cousin, and bring it back into the American diet.
Dandelion Root and Cancer Prevention
There is much anecdotal evidence linking the dandelion among the successful cancer fighting foods, So much so, that a wide range of clinical tests and trials are currently being conducted at universities around the world. What these studies are showing, is that the dandelion, most specifically the root of the dandelion, possesses properties that kill cancerous cells. Dandelion Root is rich in polysaccharides, a polymer that inhibits the formation and growth of tumors. By killing cancerous cells before they can multiply and form into colonies, dandelion root helps to ward off many common cancers, including breast cancer, skin cancer, and prostate cancer.
Dandelion Root and the Treatment of Cancer
While Dandelion Root can be a powerful ally in the prevention of cancer, it is also proving to be a remarkably effective tool in the treatment of existing cancers as well. One of the major problems with conventional cancer therapy is the reliance on chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is indiscriminate, and while it does effectively kill off cancerous cells, it also kills healthy cells. This is what makes it such a dangerous treatment option for patients whose health has already been compromised by cancer. Current studies into the effects of Dandelion Root on cancer are showing that the polysaccharides found in the Dandelion Root appear to leave healthy cells untouched, while successfully killing off the cancerous cells. This is an important step forward in the treatment of all types of cancer.
Further Health Benefits of Dandelion Root
In addition to its value in the fight against cancer, Dandelion Root offers many other health benefits. Studies have shown that Dandelion Root extract helps to promote healthy liver function, while protecting the liver from the damage caused by dangerous toxins. It also improves the activity of antioxidant enzymes that can help to lower cholesterol while preventing the formation of arterial plaque that can lead to heart disease.
Reaping the Benefits of Dandelion Root
Dandelion Root can be found in dried form, and as a tincture, in most reputable health food stores. As always, look for purely organically grown and processed supplements when purchasing Dandelion Root. Dandelion Root can also be harvested out of your own garden, provided it is free of pesticides or potentially toxic chemicals. Fresh Dandelion Root can be roasted and ground, and prepared as you would a traditional tea. It can also be included in spring salads.
Whether you harvest your Dandelion Root from your own garden, or take it as a daily dietary supplement, the time is right to begin including this powerful plant in your regular nutritional regimen. The health benefits of this often overlooked cousin to the daisy are far reaching, and can help to both prevent cancer, and to treat it in its earliest stages. So the next time you are tempted to curse your lawn or garden for being overrun with dandelions, remember that they have been sent help you maintain your total optimal health.
