Dandelion / Taraxacum officinale

Dandelion is one of the best reminders that “weeds” are important food and medicine sources. Celebrated by herbalists, beekeepers, and wild food foragers, Dandelion is not so loved by gardeners and farmers, who wish nothing more than to eradicate this persistent little plant. And who doesn’t have that memory of picking the white seed puffs as a child and blowing them into the wind while making a wish?

Dandelion is one of the first flowers that blooms here in the Texas spring, making it an important source of pollen and nectar for the bees. It has been used medicinally for centuries with traces of it being used throughout Europe, Russia, Asia, and North America. The entire plant is edible, and it’s not uncommon to see Dandelion greens for sale alongside salad in grocery stores, and popular coffee-alternative blends using roasted Dandelion root. The flowers can be eaten with salads or infused into wine, and there are all kinds of recipes using Dandelion as a food…but let’s talk about what it can do for us medicinally!

Dandelion’s claim to fame is its role in supporting the liver and the digestive system as a whole, and it plays a big part in the elimination process. Dandelion leaf is high in vitamins A and C, potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and B vitamins, while the root is high in protein, iron, manganese, and phosphorus. The root also contains an important starchy carbohydrate known as inulin, a prebiotic that can help restore gut flora while optimizing digestive function.

The root and leaf are known as bitters, which can help to enhance appetite and digestion by stimulating the production of bile and digestive enzymes, thus improving digestion, absorption, and elimination. Dandelion can also support the elimination of excess dampness in the body, and supports the natural cleansing functions of the liver and kidneys. Dandelion leaves have long been considered a spring tonic and are one of the most effective diuretics used in herbal medicine. The leaves encourage the elimination of uric acid and metabolic wastes, and have proven useful in human clinical trials in cases of edema, urinary stagnation, and symptoms of high blood pressure. Its high mineral content, especially potassium, can help to offset mineral loss from diuresis (excessive urination).

There are a multitude of ways we can incorporate herbs into our daily lives, and Dandelion is a great start for this season! Think of adding some Dandelion to your regimen this spring by including the leaves in your salads, drinking the tea daily for elimination, or taking the tincture to assist with digestion.

Peoples Rx carries a number of products containing Dandelion root and/or leaf in a variety of forms–tincture, drink, capsule, bitters…take your pick! Gaia Herbs makes a few products. Their Dandelion root tincture, Liver Cleanse tea, and Liver Cleanse capsules are all great options. We also have Urban Moonshine bitters, which are blended with Dandelion leaf and root. If you’re looking for a good coffee alternative, Dandy Blend is a tasty blend featuring roasted Dandelion root! And as always, our knowledgeable wellness team is always in store to help you choose which products might be best for you!
 
Laurène Elliott-Deyris is an Herbalist and Wellness Specialist at Peoples Rx. She received her training at The Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine in Austin and is furthering her clinical studies with the Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine program out of North Carolina.

 
 
**This article is not intended to be medical advice. Please consult your healthcare practitioner before use.**

If you have comments and/or questions about this blog, email us at blog@peoplesrx.com

Milk Thistle / Silybum Marianum

When it comes to loving your liver, there’s no better plant than Milk Thistle!

Milk thistle gets its name from the milky white pattern on its prickly toothed leaves. Indigenous to Europe, it has spread to most temperate parts of the world and is usually found growing in crop fields, pastures, roadsides, and disturbed areas. It can be quite the pest for agricultural farmers, but this medicinal gem has been widely used for over 2,000 years. Historically, Milk Thistle was used in Europe as a liver tonic, and in modern phytotherapy it is indicated for a wide range of liver and gallbladder conditions.

The seed holds the magic of Milk Thistle and is used by itself or in herbal preparations, especially detox or liver support formulas. It facilitates the overall detoxifying process of the body whenever there are signs and symptoms of an accumulation of toxins.

The active constituent of Milk Thistle is a flavonoid known as silymarin, which is a potent antioxidant. Silymarin’s reputation as a liver tonic has been supported by research showing that it helps protect the liver from damage by toxins, while also helping to repair damaged liver cells. Studies have shown that it can promote liver regeneration by up to 20-30% and can encourage the production of liver-supportive antioxidants such as glutathione.

It is also helpful in cases of liver stagnation, poor digestion, and assimilation of fats and oils. While not a “bitter” herb, it increases the secretion and flow of bile in the liver and gallbladder, so it may be helpful mixed with some bitters for enhanced digestion support. As the name implies, it can also be used to stimulate milk flow in nursing mothers, much like Blessed Thistle or Fenugreek.

It is a good herb to consider for those who have been exposed to solvents and chemicals from lifestyle choices or their job, or for those who feel they want to give their liver overall support.

Tinctures and capsules are the best ways for Milk Thistle to be taken. At Peoples Rx, you can find either whole plant extract or the standardized extract containing silymarin. Another fun way to consume Milk Thistle is to buy the whole seeds fresh in bulk, grind, and add them to your smoothies, yogurt, or oatmeal.

Stop by Peoples and have a chat with one of our Wellness Specialists to find out what form of Milk Thistle is best for you!
 
Gaia’s Milk Thistle Seed is currently 30% off!
Expires 12/31/20.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Laurène Elliott-Deyris is an Herbalist and Wellness Specialist at Peoples Rx. She received her training at The Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine in Austin and is furthering her clinical studies with the Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine program out of North Carolina.

**This article is not intended to be medical advice. Please consult your healthcare practitioner before use.**

If you have comments and/or questions about this blog, email us at blog@peoplesrx.com

After the rush of the holidays and indulgent foods, let’s take some time to rest, digest, and zoom in on a category of herbs called Bitters or Digestive Bitters. You may have heard of a few famous brands of bitters that are used as a flavorful addition to cocktails, but before the cocktail, these bitters were marketed for medicinal purposes.

The use of bitters can be traced back 2,000 years when wine was infused with roots, barks, and spices, and used as a digestive aid. Our modern diet is lacking in the bitter flavor, so it’s important to add it back in, whether by taking a tincture of bitters before every meal or incorporating more dandelion greens and arugula to our salads.

Bitters are herbs and foods that literally taste bitter, and they work best when you are able to taste them. Our tongues are loaded with bitter receptors! When these receptors are signaled by the taste of something bitter, the salivary glands, stomach, pancreas, and liver are encouraged to produce digestive juices and enzymes. They set the stage for digestion, and adequate digestion is essential in providing the body with what it needs to function well. Bitters can also benefit liver function, help in lowering blood sugar, stimulate appetite, and curb sweet cravings.

Some of the most common plants you’ll find in a bitter formula are Dandelion leaf and root, Gentian root, Angelica root, Yellow Dock root, Artichoke leaf, and Burdock root. Citrus peel is also commonly seen in many bitter blends.

These herbs have varying properties, but they all have one thing in common–they are bitter to taste and stimulate the digestive fire. In many bitters products, you’ll also find familiar spices such as fennel, cardamom, and star anise. These are all warming to offset the cooling nature of the bitter herbs. They are known as carminatives, which can help dispel gas and reduce bloating.

You’ll find various bitters at all Peoples Rx locations. A favorite brand of mine is Urban Moonshine–they have a variety of flavors and a convenient spray that is easy to carry around. They also offer a vinegar extract for those who prefer not to take alcohol.

Another fun way to take bitters is to add them to mocktails! A splash of citrus bitters in sparkling water with some elderberry syrup or Dr. Mitchell’s fruit anthocyanins, and voilà! Delicious!

If you’re looking for a new wellness habit to start, try incorporating bitters into your daily routine. Your digestive tract will thank you!
 
Laurène Elliott-Deyris is an Herbalist and Wellness Specialist at Peoples. She received her training at The Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine in Austin and is furthering her clinical studies with the Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine program out of North Carolina.

**This article is not intended to be medical advice. Please consult your healthcare practitioner before use.**

If you have comments and/or questions about this blog, email us at blog@peoplesrx.com