Benefits Of Dandelion For The Skin

Looking for a natural way to detoxify your skin? Then it’s time you incorporated dandelion into your daily skin care routine.

Often taken as weeds, these flowers have excellent benefits, especially for the skin [1]. In fact, every part of this plant, from root to flower, is loaded with fiber, minerals, and vitamins and is used in various ways because of its health properties.

So, the next time you see one of them in the yard, you might want to think twice before getting rid of it. We will be discussing the various benefits of adding dandelion to your skin care routine and how to use it in this article.

Now, without wasting any further time, let’s jump straight to the good stuff.

Benefits Of Dandelion For The Skin

Here is a list of the benefits of using dandelions for the skin:

1. Enhances Skin Hydration

Dandelion is known to enhance skin hydration, making the skin well-moisturized and plumper.

2. Aids Collagen Production

Another major benefit of a dandelion when it comes to skin care is that it aids collagen production. Collagen is an essential protein that provides skin elasticity and strength. As we grow older, our body’s ability to produce collagen naturally decreases; due to this, our skin starts sagging and fails to bounce back.

If you use dandelion topically, you can expect to experience an increase in collagen production in the body [2]. Thus, it means your skin will sag less and have fewer wrinkles.

3. Features Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Dandelions have been shown to minimize skin irritation and inflammation [3]; hence it is ideal for those with sensitive skins. Not to mention, it has been used since time immemorial as an effective treatment for various skin issues like rashes, acne, psoriasis, and eczema.

The latex fluid that flows from the flower stem has also been used in traditional medicine to cure age spots, warts, and other skin inflammations, including insect bites and pimples. Simply apply a small amount of sap to the affected region, and you are good to go.

That said, it’s worth noting that some people could be sensitive to it, and its use could cause dermatitis. Always keep an eye out for indications of irritation and stop using if this happens. And if you’re allergic to latex, make sure that you don’t use it at all.

4. Safeguards The Skin Against UVB Damage And Photoaging

Sun is, no doubt, good for you. After all, it provides you with the much-needed dose of vitamin D that helps improve your immune system. However, too much of it can cause annoying burns and damage your lovely skin. According to research, dandelion flower extracts and leaves offer a considerable skin protective effect against UV damage.

Additionally, dandelion can slow down skin cell oxidation when those cells come in contact with UV rays. It could also stimulate antioxidant regeneration in the skin, thereby providing further protection against UVB radiation [4]. Long story short, dandelion can help safeguard your skin from various aging factors caused by prolonged periods of sun exposure.

5. Offers Anti-Aging Benefits

Last but not least, the plant features a slew of skincare vitamins, including vitamins E, C, and A, which could reverse and prevent aging symptoms when used topically [5]. These vitamins are strong antioxidants and could safeguard your skin from free radical damage, ensuring it looks younger and healthier.

Additionally, they can:

Stimulate circulation
Prevent and reduce wrinkles and fine lines
Even out skin tone
Aid elastin and collagen formation
Promote skin cell production
Keep skin diseases at bay

Unlike the typical skincare products you buy from the store, dandelion features all three essential vitamins that help benefit your skin health.

Other Health Benefits Of Dandelion

These are a few other health benefits of dandelion:

1. Anti-viral

According to studies, dandelions have antiviral effects and prevent viruses from replicating [6], [7].

2. Could Lower Blood Pressure

Dandelion carries potassium, which is linked to low blood pressure levels. Thus, it could lower blood pressure, thanks to its potassium content. Note that this effect is not exclusive to dandelion as it applies to any food rich in protein. [8], [9].

3. Weight Loss

Since dandelion can reduce fat absorption and enhance the metabolism of carbohydrates, some researchers think it can promote weight loss [10].

Identifying Dandelions

Dandelions are quite easy to identify. They produce yellow flowers that transform into spherical white puffballs. Many gardeners and herbalists believe that dandelions produce only one flower per plant, but that’s not true. In fact, a dandelion can produce numerous flower shoots simultaneously, especially if the growing conditions suit it.

Remember that each stem could have one flower, but a plant can contain numerous flowers.

What Is The Process Of Harvesting Dandelions?

The leaves and flowers usually play a big role in skin care, so here we will focus only on them. But first, ensure that your harvesting area hasn’t been sprayed with pesticides. It is also imperative that you don’t gather the plant from a roadside as it could be affected by pollution.

1. Harvesting Leaves

Harvesting dandelion leaves is quite easy. Pick as many leaves as you wish, rinse them well to remove dirt and dust, and dry them gently. Contrary to flowers, dandelion leaves tend to dry well. We strongly recommend placing the leaves in an oven or baking sheet for hours until they are entirely dry. You can even use a food dehydrator, too.

After the leaves turn dry, crush them in a tiny food processor or a mortar. Then store them in a jar till they are ready to use. You can add them to DIY facial masks and soaps and reap their benefits.

2. Harvesting Flowers

As far as harvesting dandelion flowers is concerned, note that these little yellow flowers open their buds once in the morning and close when the sun sets. Therefore, you need to harvest the flowers long before the sun sets.

First, gather the flower heads; you can easily pop them using your fingers. Make sure you choose only bright-colored flowers that are just about to bloom, as flowers that have already turned brown will most likely not have too many therapeutic benefits. In case you don’t have enough flowers in the yard, we suggest harvesting from your neighbor’s yards, that is, if they allow that.

Making Dandelion Infused Oil In 5 Easy Steps

Making dandelion-infused oil can preserve the therapeutic benefits of the dandelion harvest throughout the year. Additionally, it can be combined with lip balms, salves, creams, lotions, and soaps.

Ingredients List:

Dandelion flowers
Sunflower oil

Preparation Method:

Here’s how to make it:

Step 1:

Once you are done harvesting, make sure you rinse the flower heads properly in order to get rid of bugs, dirt, and dust. We would suggest laying them on a towel and letting them stay there for hours to make sure that the water evaporates completely.

Step 2:

Next, put the dandelion flower heads in a mason jar.

Step 3:

Then you need to pour sunflower oil into the jar until it is almost full and affix the lid of the jar. You will notice the flowers floating, and that’s fine.

Step 4:

Keep the jar somewhere safe for at least six weeks. You can keep it on top of your cupboard or fridge as these places are usually out of reach for children. Make sure that you give the jar a little shake every couple of days to redistribute the heads so that there is no molding. Speaking of which, if you do notice any mold buildup, you will have to restart the entire process.

Step 5:

Finally, strain the dandelion-infused oil using a thin muslin dish towel or a fine-mesh sieve after six weeks. You can add the oil to DIY soaps, creams, lotions, and balms and reap its numerous skin and health benefits. Note that dandelion-infused oils usually have a shelf life between 6 and 12 months.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In this section, we have tried answering some of the most commonly asked questions to help clear your queries and doubts about dandelions. We hope that you will find them useful.

1. Where were dandelions originally found?

Dandelions were originally found in Eurasia. However, they grow all over New Zealand, Australia, India, Europe, and South and North America. We are sure that you have seen them a few times in your yard or poking through the pavement cracks.

2. Can dandelions help minimize triglyceride and cholesterol levels?

Yes, a few compounds present in dandelion could help reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels linked to heart diseases. According to a study, extracts of dandelion roots and leaves help minimize triglyceride buildup in the fat cells [11].

Additionally, a 4-week study on rats showed that giving dandelion leaf extracts to rats decreased their overall triglyceride and cholesterol [12]. Another study showed that incorporating dandelion leaves and roots in a cholesterol-based diet reduced cholesterol levels [13].

3. How can dandelions keep your body healthy?

Dandelions are known to feature numerous potent antioxidants, which could help keep your body healthy. That’s because antioxidants are compounds that help eliminate free radicals, which are nothing but molecules that cause diseases if their level rises in the body. Thus, they are crucial for ensuring that your body remains healthy [14].

It is also worth noting that dandelions feature high levels of beta carotene, which could help safeguard your body against oxidative stress and cell damage [15] [16]. Apart from that, dandelions have a high content of polyphenols, another beneficial antioxidant that is found in the dandelion root.

4. Can dandelions treat cancer?

One of the most remarkable health claims regarding dandelion extract is its ability to stop malignant (cancerous) cells from growing in multiple organ systems. According to a study, dandelion root extract could alter certain pathways involved in curbing the spread and growth of cancer cells in rats [17].

However, keep in mind that this research is yet to be performed on humans.

5. What are the possible side effects and risks of dandelion plants?

Even though dandelions feature low toxicity and are generally considered safe for human consumption, they are not entirely risk-free. They could cause allergic reactions, especially in those allergic to plants like ragweed. Dandelions can even cause contact dermatitis in people with sensitive skin [18].

Furthermore, dandelions could interact with certain medications, such as blood sugar drugs and anticoagulants. If you are on such a medication, make sure that you consult a doctor before taking dandelions [19].

6. Do dandelion extracts have any effect on bone health?

Although there is little research on the effect of dandelions on bone health, a few individual ingredients present in the plants could promote the growth of healthy bones. It has been found that dandelion greens are quality vitamin K and calcium sources, which are integral in maintaining bone health [20].

Another study also shows that the antioxidants present in dandelions play a crucial role in protecting and maintaining bone health by reducing oxidative stress [21].

Final Thoughts

We have come to the end of our informational article.

Hopefully, it has helped you gain some valuable insights into the benefits of dandelion for the skin and the body. Just ensure that you consult a healthcare professional before taking them to avoid allergic reactions. Also, note that even though dandelion supplements have several potential skin and health benefits, they should not be taken as a replacement for a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet.

With that last bit of advice, it’s time for us to sign off. Until next time, stay healthy!

Reference Links:

1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324083#10-possible-health-benefits

2. http://koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO201101152702945.page

3. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jmf.2009.1249

4. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/omcl/2015/619560/

5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278691514000337?via%3Dihub

6. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2225411016302061?via%3Dihub

7. https://virologyj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1743-422X-8-538

8. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169226/nutrients

9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26039623/

10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4746997/