Dear Friends,

Can you name this Beautiful Creature?

Last week we critically examined the therapeutic value of Phyto Power, our newest Therapeutic Food, which contains 3 species of wildcrafted Alaskan rosehip, 4 species of dandelion and 4 species of blueberry.  We pointed out that consuming two capsules a day is equivalent to eating 6 rosehips, one dandelion salad and a small handful of blueberries. We focused last week’s newsletter on the actives within the rosehip and their therapeutic relevance. This week we will look at the dandelion.

There are four species of meadow dandelion, namely Taraxacum officinale, Taraxacum ceratophorum, Taraxacum lyratum, and Taraxacum phymatocarpam. Each capsule contains 200mg of the dandelion species blend with 90% being the aerial part with flowers included, and 10% being the roots.  Below is a typical, beautiful meadow from which our three foot tall wild dandelions are harvested.

Dandelion 2 7

The whole plant contains a long list of bioactive flavonoids, terpenoids and exceptional amounts of Vitamin A, B-Complex, C and D, along with the minerals calcium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, potassium, copper, iron, and phosphorous.

Dandelion 1 2Peoples worldwide have historically used dandelion as a part of their traditional and medicinal food preparations. Generally the roots treat the liver, the leaves treat the kidneys and the flowers protect the eyes.  Researchers have paid particular attention to the diuretic, choleretric, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-hyperglycemic, analgesic, anti-coagulatory and prebiotic effects of dandelions.

Dandelion  Remedies:

  • Indigestion:  Dandelion root as a mild laxative . It is effective in treating constipation and flatulence.
  • Skin Care:  Dandelion is good for the skin.  The antibiotic and antifungal properties of this herb are utilized in treating various skin ailments such as acne, eczema, and ring worm infection.  Sap of the dandelion plant is used by folk medicine healers to treat skin diseases.  You can cure acne by drinking dandelion tea.
  • Diabetes remedy:  Dandelion is beneficial for diabetic patients.  It stimulates insulin secretion thereby enhancing glucose absorption.  The mild diuretic property of dandelion increase urination thereby flushing out excess sugar from the body.  Dandelion, by eliminating sugar deposited in the kidney through its diuretic action, also prevents renal problems in diabetic patients.  People suffering from diabetes could benefit from drinking dandelion juice or tea every morning.
  • Acts as diuretic:  The mild diuretic property of dandelion makes it suitable for treating inflammation associated with water retention.  Dandelion helps to remove toxins from the kidney.  The diuretic property of dandelion is also beneficial for treating hypertension.  Increase in urination helps to remove salt from the body, helping to bring down the blood pressure level.
  • Improves liver function:  The plant nutrients that give dandelion its bitter taste, stimulates liver function.  Dandelion is one of the best foods for your liver.  This herb is used in traditional medicines for improving bile flow.  It is effective for treating jaundice, hepatitis, cirrhosis and other liver diseases.
  • Immune system enhancement:  Dandelion has been show to restore experimentally-induced suppressed immune function in animals by enhancing cell-mediated, humoral, and non-specific immunity.
  • Dandelion is safe for consumption.

Think about it—two capsules a day is the equivalent to eating one organic, wildcrafted dandelion salad a day.  Cheers and to your health!

Sincerely yours,

Seann Bardell

Clinical Note:

What is the Therpapeutic Foods Paradigm?






The Last Quiz Answer:

There are over 2000 species of Praying Mantis in the world.  They are the ultimate predator, capable of killing species three times their size—feeding on other insects, on very small birds (ie humming birds), mice, soft-shelled turtles, etc.  They merge with their surrounding—camouflaged, laying in wait for prey. Lashing out with their long spiked front legs at twice the speed of a blinking eye, they easily grasp and impale their prey, pinning them down—dinner is served.  Their mandibles are strong enough to cut human flesh.  Like a cat after eating the Praying Mantis grooms itself.  It would make a rather fascinating pet, don’t you think?
