The dandelion, scientific name taraxum officinale, commonly known as dandelion, is a spontaneous herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family. This plant grows in gardens and meadows and blooms in early spring presenting itself with a beautiful flower of an intense yellow color. The dandelion is a plant widely used in herbal medicine and in detox cooking thanks to its leaves and roots that purify the liver, are diuretic and antioxidant (Choi et al, Int J Mol Sci, 2010). But the dandelion is also known and appreciated for another product, its honey, which is obtained from the pollen of the flowers of this special plant. The resulting honey is intense yellow in color, has a strong, almost pungent odor and undergoes a rapid crystallization. This honey is also really precious since it is not easy to produce. In fact, the dandelion blooms in early spring and therefore the production of honey requires bees that have spent the winter well and are numerous and strong as soon as the dandelion flowers appear.
Dandelion honey properties and uses
Dandelion honey is purifying for the liver and kidneys and is also diuretic, therefore useful in case of water retention, cellulite, rheumatism, gout and stones (Natural Medicine from A to Z, Brigo). Hence, dandelion honey is helpful when you are following detox treatments against toxins. So, you can prepare a dandelion herbal tea. Bring a cup of water to a boil along with a tablespoon of dandelion roots. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes, then remove from the heat and let it brew for ten minutes. Filter and, once warm, add a teaspoon of dandelion honey. Finally, dandelion honey has also a protective and beneficial action on the mucous membrane of the stomach, in fact, as proven by scientific studies, taking this honey has led to a reduction of almost 50% of symptoms related to sour stomach (Ajibola et al, Malays J Med Sci, 2015).
