One of the most common plants in the world, a dandelion, has long been called "the elixir of life". And all parts of this plant are useful and find their application for medical purposes. In this article, we will dwell on the usefulness of dandelion flowers.
Harvesting dandelion flowers
Dandelion flowers should be harvested at the beginning of flowering in spring - in April - May. Collection should be carried out away from industrial areas, roads, agricultural fields, treated with herbicides and pesticides, as well as landfills.
The collected flowers are dried in the shade in the open air or in ventilated rooms, spread out in one layer. Several times a day, the flowers should be mixed.
Dandelion flowers - composition
The chemical composition of dandelion flowers is rich and diverse, contains many useful substances for the human body. Among them are the following:
- carotenoids (in particular, arnidiol, flavoxanthin, taraxanthin, lutein - one of the main substances for maintaining good vision );
- nicotinic acid is a vitamin that takes part in many oxidative reactions of living cells;
- Choline - vitamins of group B, which is important for the human body;
- saponins - a substance that prevents the synthesis of DNA in tumor cells, restores lipid metabolism, contributing to lowering cholesterol levels;
- thiamin - vitamin B, which helps to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, which helps the body to fight infectious and viral diseases, maintains a nitrogen balance in the body;
- microelements (phosphorus, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, etc.);
- flavonoid compounds - substances acting as antioxidant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, bactericidal agent;
- triterpene alcohols - substances with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Therapeutic properties of dandelion flowers
Useful properties of dandelion flowers, due to their unique composition, make it possible to widely use this medicinal raw material for medical and cosmetic purposes. Here are the main useful properties of dandelion flowers:
- anti-inflammatory;
- antimicrobial;
- anesthetizing;
- antihypertensive;
- restorative;
- antioxidant;
- tonic.
Treatment with dandelion flowers
Of the flowers of dandelion, such dosage forms are prepared for external and internal use, such as water infusions and decoctions, alcohol tinctures, ointments. In addition, dandelion flowers can be used for cooking medicinal jam. Such a tasty, useful and, moreover, almost universal medicine will be enjoyed by both adults and children.
Here is a simple recipe for the preparation of medicinal jam from dandelions:
- Collect 200 inflorescences of dandelion, rinse in cold water, and dry.
- Pour the flowers with two glasses of water and put on the fire under the lid.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Insist the resulting broth for 24 hours.
- Constant broth put on a plate and dissolve in it 700 - 800 g of granulated sugar.
- Boil, stirring, for 10 minutes over low heat.
- Hot pour into sterile jars and clog them with lids.
The resulting jam can be used with tea as a preventive medicine or 1 teaspoon on an empty stomach for therapeutic purposes. Jam from dandelion has the following effect:
- restores liver cells;
- clears the gallbladder and urinary tract.
- removes harmful substances from the body;
- lowers blood pressure;
- increases immunity ;
- normalizes the activity of the gastrointestinal tract.