When is it not advisable to take dandelion? We discover the main contraindications of one of the most popular, known and consumed medicinal plants.
Among the most well-known and popular medicinal plants and purifying herbs that exist, it is quite likely that dandelion is one of the most used. And not precisely because this delicate herb appeared as the protagonist at the beginning of Ice Age, when two rhinos were debating between which of the two was going to eat it.
Be that as it may, although many consider it an uncomfortable and annoying herb because it grows easily in many gardens, or on the curbs of the roads, the truth is that we are facing a plant with interesting medicinal benefits and healing properties.
Its name derives from the small cut leaves that it has, although it is surely more easily distinguishable not by its leaves, but by its fruit, an achene that has a spherical and feathery volcano, which when blown tends to fly away until it disappears. Its flowers are also well known, as they have very characteristic yellow flowers.
Regarding its different benefits, it is a very diuretic plant with the capacity to help us avoid or reduce the accumulation of liquids (especially the uncomfortable retention of liquids), being in turn useful to eliminate toxins accumulated in our body. On the other hand, it becomes an excellent natural option when it comes to purifying our liver, while it is suitable to promote and improve digestion by increasing the secretion of bile.
A recommended option when enjoying its different qualities is opting for a dandelion infusion, which is very easy to prepare since we only need to heat a cup of water in a saucepan until it reaches a boil, then turn off the fire and infuse a teaspoon of dandelion for 5 minutes, strain, serve and drink.
However, as with many plants and herbs with medicinal action, it is not always appropriate or advisable to consume dandelion, so before taking it is necessary to know what contraindications it has. We reveal them to you.
When is it not advisable to take dandelion?
Dandelion consumption is not advised in the following cases, situations and conditions:
- Gallstones: since dandelion acts as a cholagogue (that is, it stimulates the gallbladder by increasing bile production), it is not recommended in people with gallstones or stones since it can cause annoying and painful biliary colic.
- Kidney Stones: Because kidney stones are caused mainly by oxalates, the dandelion leaves contain a lot of oxalates. Therefore, its consumption is not suitable in people with kidney stones.
- Heartburn: exhibiting the ability to increase gastric juices, dandelion is not at all suitable for people with heartburn or reflux.
- Stomach ulcer: as with heartburn, in case of stomach ulcers its consumption is not recommended. The reason is the same: it increases gastric juices.
- Allergy: the consumption of dandelion or products with this plant is not recommended in people with an allergy to the compound family.
- Consumption of certain medications: their consumption is not recommended in the case of people taking lithium medications or those used to increase the amounts of potassium in the body. It is also not advisable when taking antibiotics, as it reduces their absorption.
As we can see, although dandelion is a medicinal plant with incredible benefits and properties, it also has certain contraindications, which means that we must always pay attention to its effects to know when its regular consumption would be advisable or not.
