Dandelion root: to protect the kidneys

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Extract from the article: Les principes actifs du pissenlit en Ewé « Agnoto » sont la taraxine, les terpènes, les flavonoïdes. Le pissenlit se compose aussi de stérols et d'acides phénoliques. Ces composantes jouent un rôle essentiel dans la protection de l'organisme. Elles b

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The active ingredients of dandelion in Ewé "Agnoto" are taraxin, terpenes and flavonoids. Dandelion also contains sterols and phenolic acids. These components play an essential role in protecting the body. They block the influence of free radicals, which are responsible for many diseases and the ageing process.

Relieving urinary problems

An in vitro study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology showed that dandelion root extract had antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties could potentially help protect the kidneys by reducing oxidative damage and inflammation, which are risk factors for kidney disease.

The European Scientific Cooperative for Phytotherapy (ESCOP) recognises the use of dandelion leaf and root as an adjunct to the treatment of illnesses for which it is desirable to increase the elimination of urine. These include rheumatism and the prevention of kidney stones.  The root is specific to the urinary tract thanks to its bitter principles, phenolic acids and sterols.Its diuretic action facilitates elimination.Taraxin is one of these essential active ingredients. It has a bitter taste, but exerts a powerful diuretic action on the body, and particularly stimulates organs with a depurative function, such as the kidneys.

Recipe 1: Take 1 tablespoon of crushed dry roots in a cup of water.Boil for 3 minutes, leave to stand for a quarter of an hour and drink before meals. If possible, eat the leaves raw often in a salad with meals.

Recipe 2: Take dried roots of 3 dandelion plants. Put the roots in ½ litre of water and boil for 10 minutes.  Leave to stand for 5 minutes and drink. Repeat 3 times a day.

Raymond DZAKPATA