The plant turns out to be an unlikely candidate for the next health fad. In recent years, posts have been shared online about how dandelions can cure cancer. USA Today even found one outlandish Instagram post purporting that “dandelion root may kill 98 percent of cancer cells within 48 hours”. However, to date, there is no comprehensive evidence that dandelion root can definitely cure cancer patients. Yet, there have been some promising findings about the plants health properties.
The claims about dandelion root extract destroying cancer cells in 48 hours were also tested in a laboratory by researchers at the University of Windsor.
While they found promising results, the authors of the research accepted the limitations of the tests which occurred in Petri dishes.
“Indeed, most of the (cancer) cells are dead within 48 hours, but that does not mean a patient who takes dandelion root will be cured in 48 hours,” biochemistry professor Siyaram Pandey told USA Today.
The conclusion from the New York based Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to date is that “clinical trials are needed to determine the conditions under which dandelion may be safe and effective”.
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The dandelion leaves, roots, and flowers can be eaten, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Alone, dandelion leaves can have a “slight bitterness in taste” says Taraday.
But combined with other lighter tasting greens such as spinach and chard they become “more palatable”.He explains: “Dandelion greens work well as an extra boost in green juices.“If the bitterness is too much to handle, simply squeeze some lemon juice on them or include lemon in your juice; it’ll cut the bitterness and help increase iron absorption.”
For those that want to test out the dandelion root, it can be purchased as a supplement and in some cases is dried up and made into a tea.
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