Every neighborhood has that one unkempt house with an overgrown lawn no one ever seems to mow. Dandelion flowers sprout from the cracks in the pavement, and the property looks like a prairie dotted with the yellow weed.
A neighbor might see an eyesore and a homeowner’s association might see violations worthy of hefty fines. But increasingly, researchers who study nutraceuticals see the dandelion as a natural remedy with chemical compounds that can help with various ailments.
What Is Dandelion?
The word dandelion comes from the French phrase dent-de-lion (lion’s teeth) because the flower’s yellow petals resemble lion’s teeth. These yellow flowers tend to follow the sun. They open at sunrise and close at nightfall. They can also close when a rain storm is pending.
The dandelion is thought to have originated in Central Asia. It now grows in places around the world, including Europe and North America. Dandelions tend to prefer cooler temperatures and lower altitudes.
