Quick – what’s the best use for dandelions? If you’re like most people, you probably can’t think of an answer, or maybe think of dandelion wine – but we’re here to tell you it’s something much, much better!
It turns out dandelions are actually really effective at fighting cancer. Pretty cool, right? Researchers at the University of Windsor in Ontario have shown that dandelion root extract can cause human melanoma cells to essentially kill themselves without leading to any type of toxicity.
- A statement on the website of the Dandelion Root Project at the University of Windsor says:
Since the commencement of this project, we have been able to successfully assess the effect of a simple water extract of dandelion root in various human cancer cell types, in the lab and we have observed its effectiveness against human T cell leukemia, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, pancreatic and colon cancers, with no toxicity to non-cancer cells. Furthermore, these efficacy studies have been confirmed in animal models (mice) that have been transplanted with human colon cancer cells. Researcher and medical oncologist Dr. Caroline Hamm said that some of her patients have noted improvements after drinking dandelion root tea from health food stores. The concentrated tea could prove to be even more effective, potentially saving countless lives.
A 2008 study published in the International Journal of Oncology showed that dandelion tea reduced breast and prostate cancer cells. A subsequent report in the same journal showed that a dietary supplement that contained dandelion suppressed the growth of prostate cancer cells. Dandelion extracts have also demonstrated their efficacy in treating breast cancer and leukemia in traditional Chinese medicine as well as in Native American medicine.
How Does it Work?
This extract causes cancer cells to go through apoptosis, a natural cell process where a cell activates an intracellular death program because it isn`t needed anymore. In brief, dandelion root extract causes the cancer cell to “commit suicide” without affecting the healthy ones.
Two cells perform apoptosis which is far better than chemotherapy drugs which kill one healthy cell for every 5 to 10 cancer cell, the dandelion extract It is important to mention that the concentration of this extract is much higher than the one which is currently available. Even though trials are still underway, this extract may be the future of cancer treatment! If you would like to learn more about this, check out the following video. Dr. Siyaram Pandey’s explains how dandelion root causes the death of cancer cells within 24 hours.