How Well Do You Know Dandelion Honey?
The Dandelion plant is more popular as a weed or an ornamental flower than as a plant with numerous health benefits. This has made people ignorant of the health benefits they can get from the plant. However, some call it a mere weed. This weed houses properties, compounds, and nutrients that can help you maintain awesome health.
In ancient times, those who knew of the benefits of this “so-called weed” in the ancient times used the honey from it as traditional medicine and even as a natural sweetener. It used to be common in Europe and North America.
Every part of the dandelion plant is useful for medicinal purposes. The leaves, roots, and flowers all supply unique health benefits. Despite how much some people disregard the potential health benefits of this plant, few people and companies today still include the leaves and roots of the plant in teas and supplements to enjoy the benefits.
Dandelion honey is made from the flower of the plant. In other words, it is the syrup from the plant’s flower. This honey performs both medicinal functions and culinary functions. Amazing right? Yes, it is a healthy and natural alternative to sugar and other sweeteners.
Most people who understand the benefits of this honey call it “pure honey” as a result of the process through which it is made, as well as its benefits to human health. Properties contained in dandelion honey boost skin health, regulate blood sugar levels, protect the heart, improve liver function and boost the immune system. This honey is also a wealthy source of antibacterial and antiviral properties.
What is more? Apart from being a healthy sweetener alternative, it is also perfect for a vegan diet.
This article elaborates on the dandelion plant to help you identify it. The article also discusses the health benefits of dandelion honey and its nutritional content.
What Is the Dandelion Plant Like?
The Dandelion plant has an attractive bright yellow color. In some seasons, the bright yellow color becomes a mixture of gold and yellow. It has a strong scent that comes as a combination of wood, chamomile, ammonia, and vinegar. Chewed raw gives off a sharp taste and strong flavor with a refreshing aftertaste.
Nutritional Profile of Dandelion Honey
100g of the raw dandelion flower contains the following;
- Protein: 5 g
- Fat: 0.5 g
- Fiber: 3.5 g
- Carbohydrate: 9 g
- Ash 1.2 g
- Magnesium: 35 mg
- Calcium: 180 mg
- Phosphorus: 60 mg
- Iron: 4 mg
- Sugar: 0.7 g
Dandelion honey is also a rich source of almost all vitamins. The most prominent vitamins in dandelion honey include vitamin A, some B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K. It also has antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Just like regular honey, dandelion honey also has wound healing effects courtesy of its antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
Health Benefits of Dandelion Honey
Improves Inflammation
Although inflammation is the body’s natural response to infections. It is a sign that something is not right inside the body and attention needs to be paid to this sign. This is because when inflammation becomes recurrent in the body, it may damage your body cells and tissues, which can place your health in a precarious condition.
However, due to the polyphenol content in dandelion honey, it can help improve inflammation and reduce inflammatory markers. Studies carried out on a group of aged women showed that dandelion honey worked effectively in reducing lung inflammation and infection.
Boosts Liver and Gallbladder Health
The liver is the body’s natural detoxifier. When the liver is down, toxins begin to accumulate in the body, which can pose a great risk to the health. Due to the antioxidant properties of dandelion honey, it can strengthen the liver and improve its function.
For centuries, people have used dandelion honey to detoxify their gall bladder and liver. It helps in the proper functioning of the gallbladder and helps in the smooth running of the digestive system. Studies also showed that replacing sugar or other sweeteners with dandelion honey can help you prevent gallstones and eliminate the pain associated with gallstones.
However, despite the impact of this honey on the gallbladder, it is advisable to visit a doctor for proper medical attention if you feel pains from gallbladder stones to avoid complications. However, dandelion honey is a good prevention of gallstones.
Heals Wounds Faster
This is one characteristic that is common among different types of honey. Dandelion honey, just like other kinds of honey, when applied to wounds, no matter how severe or mild, can speed up the healing process of the wound. Eating honey also plays an important role in improving skin quality to promote easy wound healing.
Dandelion honey works effectively for all kinds of wounds, ranging from cuts to burns, scratches, and tears, among others. Its high antibacterial properties also help prevent the contamination and infection of the wound. In other words, dandelion honey performs a dual role in improving wounds; it has the wound faster and gives the wound optimum protection against infection pending the time it heals up.
Prevents Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is a common health condition today. Adults and children can suffer from diabetes. One of the major factors that trigger diabetes is low or no production of insulin which then leads to poorly regulated blood sugar.
According to research, dandelion honey has properties that can stimulate the pancreas to produce sufficient insulin that will regulate the sugar level in the blood. With an effective secretion of insulin and proper blood sugar regulation, blood sugar spikes in people with prediabetes and diabetes can be prevented. I’m other words, dandelion honey works for both people without diabetes who wish to prevent it and it also works for those who already have diabetes for the prevention of blood sugar spikes and plunges.
Protects Heart Health
Among the risk factors for heart disease is poor diet, cholesterol, or a sodium-laden diet. Eating foods that contain excess cholesterol, triglycerides and sodium can cause severe threats to the heart. Dandelion honey is packed with properties that are effective in the reduction of triglycerides and cholesterol in the body.
Consuming dandelion regularly can reduce your chances of developing heart-related conditions drastically. You can consume dandelion honey with bread. You can even include it in your teas, smoothies, and even salads. With dandelion honey in your kitchen, the cardiologist will be far away all year long.
Improves the Function of the Immune System
Every infection that attempts to gain entrance into your body will have your immune system to contend with first. However, when the immune system fails to perform its function, your body will automatically become a hub of illnesses and infections. This is why boosting the function of the immune system is very important.
Studies have shown that the phenylacetic acid in dandelion honey can help improve the function of the immune system and protect overall health. In addition, dandelion honey should be combined with a healthy diet, and an effective engagement in physical exercise will yield better results.
Prevents Acid Reflux and Indigestion
When undigested foods flow back up from the stomach into the esophagus, it comes hand in hand with the stomach acid that burns the esophagus and the mouth.
According to research, consuming honey regularly can prevent undigested food from flowing back up. In other words, when dandelion honey touches the esophagus and enters the stomach, your chances of experiencing acid reflux will reduce. To this effect, you can eat dandelion honey raw. You can also eat it with baked products and add it to teas, smoothies, yogurt, and salads.
Conclusion
Dandelion honey is made from the dandelion plant. This honey is not common because many people do not know of its medicinal purposes and thus refer to the plant as a mere weed they do not want around their gardens or as a beautiful ornamental flower that they want sitting at the center of their dining tables.
However, beyond these, the dandelion plant is medicinal and adds numerous health benefits. It has been in use since centuries ago by locals to prevent and treat many health conditions, and just like it was effective during those times and ages, it is still effective today.
