As soon as spring arrives, on the roadside, in the field, and even beside the flower bed, the inconspicuous yellow flower, the dandelion, silently emerges again. But who would have thought that this inconspicuous grass would quietly spark a "heated discussion" in the medical community? The latest research points out that although dandelion is good, it also hides risks, and if you don't eat it right, it will hurt your body!
In recent years, with the popularization of the concept of "food therapy and health", dandelion, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has become "popular" again, and is known as "natural antibiotic" and "scavenger of the plant world". Especially with the help of short video platforms and healthy self-media, various fancy eating methods such as dandelion tea, dandelion root powder, and dandelion stew soup have emerged in an endless stream. But the truth is always more complicated than imagined, and behind blindly following the trend, there are many hidden health risks.
Dandelion: A "handshake" between traditional herbs and modern scientific research
Dandelion in traditional Chinese medicine, known as "yellow flower diding", cold and bitter taste, into the liver, stomach meridian, has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, eliminating carbuncle and dispersing knots, diuretic and drenching. The "Compendium of Materia Medica" has long been recorded, and it has even been used to treat cradle carbuncles, eye redness, swelling and pain, dampness and heat jaundice, etc.
In modern medical research, dandelion has also shown a good "hard power". In 2023, the Institute of Medicinal Plant of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and a number of universities released a study pointing out that dandelion is rich in active ingredients such as chlorogenic acid, flavonoids, and triterpenoids, which have certain anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects.
Clinical experiments in a tertiary hospital have also shown that dandelion extract has a significant inhibitory effect on pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. This also explains why many people call it a "natural anti-inflammatory". But no matter how good the medicine is, it also has side effects. No matter how natural the grass is, there are contraindications.
Don't just see "cure", you must pay attention to these 4 points when eating dandelions!
Although dandelion is a "herb star", if it is eaten improperly, the consequences will not be light. Here are 4 things to keep in mind!
1. Eat with caution if you have a cold physique, don't turn "health" into "hurt"
Traditional Chinese medicine pays attention to the "balance between cold and heat". Dandelion is cold and suitable for people with "heat evil" in the body, such as mouth and tongue sores, frequent acne, urethritis, etc. But for people who are already "yang deficiency and afraid of cold", dandelion is tantamount to "adding insult to injury". Especially for elderly women and people with spleen and stomach deficiency, drinking a large amount of dandelion tea for a long time may cause diarrhea, stomach cold, and loss of appetite.
The Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine once treated a 63-year-old aunt who insisted on drinking dandelion boiled water every day in spring to "detoxify and nourish the skin", but as a result, she lost weight sharply after a month, and also had symptoms such as bloating and fatigue. Tracing back to the source, it turned out that "excessive health" caused by spleen and stomach disorders. The doctor reminds: eating dandelion for people with cold bodies is equivalent to "pouring cold water on the fire", and the more you are careful, the more you are weak.
2. Patients with liver and kidney diseases should be cautious before use
Although dandelion has the effect of "clearing liver heat", it is not the same as "eating liver disease". Studies have shown that some components in dandelion, such as flavonoids and terpenoids, need to be metabolized by the liver, and people with liver insufficiency take too much, which will increase the burden on the liver.
A 2024 clinical observation from Ruijin Hospital, affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, pointed out that long-term consumption of large amounts of dandelion products in patients with chronic liver disease may lead to elevated liver enzymes and liver discomfort. In addition, dandelion has a certain diuretic effect, and if people with renal insufficiency drink it for a long time, it may aggravate the glomerular pressure, which is not conducive to the recovery of the disease. Doctor's advice: Patients with liver and kidney diseases should be guided by a professional doctor before using dandelion products.
3. People with allergies need to be especially careful, don't test the body "poison"
Although dandelion is a "wild vegetable", it contains certain allergen components. Especially for people with pollen allergies and sensitive skin, allergic reactions such as rashes, itching, and tightness of the throat may occur after consumption.
A survey in the Chinese Journal of Dermatology in 2024 pointed out that among 400 cases of wild vegetable allergy, allergic reactions to dandelion accounted for as much as 12%. Especially in the spring pollen high incidence period, people with allergies are more likely to have respiratory discomfort. Doctor's tip: If you feel unwell after eating dandelion, you should stop using it immediately and seek medical treatment. Do not judge yourself as a "detox reaction".
Fourth, don't be superstitious about "soaking in water is omnipotent", and pay attention to scientific collocation in how to eat
Many people think that dandelion soaking in water is the easiest and most "healthy", but in fact, different parts and different processing methods have very different effects. For example, dandelion leaves are more focused on clearing heat and dampness, which is suitable for damp and hot physique, while dandelion roots are more inclined to anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, and are more suitable for people such as urethritis and mastitis. If it is mixed indiscriminately, not only will the effect be greatly reduced, but it may also cause side effects.
In addition, some so-called "dandelion tea" on the market, for the sake of taste and shelf life, often add flavors and preservatives, which is not only not beneficial, but harmful. Doctor's advice: When choosing dandelion products, you should look for the products of regular pharmaceutical companies or pharmacies, and refuse the "three no products". At the same time, it is important to mix your diet wisely and not rely on "single herbs" to solve all your health problems.
Although the dandelion is small, the health management is "big and good"
Modern people live a fast-paced life, with perennial socializing, irregular diet, and large mood swings, and various chronic diseases also follow. Many people try to self-regulate themselves through herbs such as "dandelion", although the original intention is good, but the way is often "deviated".
Real health management should be based on scientific and systematic knowledge. Just like building a house requires laying a foundation, health preservation is inseparable from scientific theoretical guidance and a standardized lifestyle. The doctor's responsibility is not only to treat the disease, but also to prevent it before it happens. It is the bounden mission of every medical worker to remind the public to correctly understand "natural herbs" and avoid the misunderstanding of "fighting poison with poison".
Herbal medicine cannot cure all diseases, and rational choices are needed on the road to health
Dandelion, as an herb at the intersection of tradition and modernity, does have its unique value in the field of medicine. However, we must not deify its role, let alone "blindly follow the trend" without individual differences. As the saying goes: "Radish and cabbage, each has his own love", and the same is true for health. If you don't understand your physique, don't distinguish between cold and heat, and blindly chase the wind and eat grass, in the end, you will only "lose your health and hurt your body". True health preservation is respect for the body, trust in science, and seriousness in life.
I hope that every reader can understand the true meaning of "great health" from this little dandelion - health is not a blind pursuit of "home remedies", but perseverance in life wisdom and scientific attitude.
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