This Weed Everybody Hates
Could Cure Cancer

Here’s an ironic twist on a plant you probably know all too well. It’s been called everything from the “biggest headache for lawns” to the “weed from hell.” Yet it’s also a powerful medicinal herb, a delicious food, and a likely cure for cancer.

Some common names for it include “swine snout,” “blowball,” “lion’s tooth,” and “priest’s crown.” But you probably know this big, deep-rooted plant by its most common name: dandelion. Just take a look at all the things it can do for you. . .

More than just a lawn nuisance

From a gardening perspective, dandelions are a sign that a lawn needs attention. They’re usually the first plant to show up each spring, and they’re known for sucking up water and nutrients intended for your grass.

This abundance of nutrients in dandelions hasn’t gone unnoticed by food enthusiasts. Potassium-rich dandelion greens make a nice base for salads. Dandelion is also used as a spice and thickener in soups, a flavoring in wine, and a tincture in tea. Dandelion root can even be roasted and used as a coffee substitute.

Along with being called a weed, dandelion plants are herbs. Both the root and above-ground parts are used to make medicines. Dandelion herbal mixtures are also used to cure upset stomachs, gas, gallstones, joint pain, loss of appetite, muscular aches, eczema, and bruises. Some people even use it to treat infections, particularly viral infections.

But lately, a lot of attention has been focused on dandelion and its apparent ability to kill cancer cells.

Maybe it does to cancer cells
what it does to your grass

I’d say this is pretty big news on the cancer front. Because not only have scientists found reason to believe dandelion works effectively to thwart cancer … they’re actively, enthusiastically embracing it—and funding research, no less.

There’s reason to be excited. Dandelion looks to be a promising treatment for leukemia, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and even some drug-resistant forms of cancer.

The herb works by suppressing the growth of these types of cancer and thus halting the invasive behavior. Meanwhile, dandelion appears to have no effect on healthy cells.

The connection was first made in Ontario at Windsor Regional Hospital. Oncologist Caroline Hamm was treating John DiCarlo, an elderly man, for a highly aggressive form of leukemia known as myelomonocytic leukemia. Chemotherapy didn’t work and the patient was sent home with instructions to get his affairs in order.

Lucky for him, the cancer center where he was treated suggested he might try drinking dandelion tea.

Not only did the man return to the clinic four months later in remission, he’s now been cancer-free for three years. Better still, Mr. DiCarlo happened to mention the dandelion tea idea to another patient in the waiting room at the cancer center. That patient also began self-administering dandelion tea and also showed improved test results.

Dr. Hamm passed the impressive results of both patients on to University of Windsor biochemist Siyaram Pandey, who soon secured funding to research the effect of dandelions on cancer. Pandey’s team collected commercially available leukemia blood cells and then formulated a root extract made out of dandelion roots they pulled from the ground.

Using a culture dish, the team applied the extract to the leukemia cells and were astounded by the results. Not only did the leukemia cells go through apoptosis (natural cell death) within 24 hours, but none of the healthy cells were killed. They’ve since published these results in the Journal of Ethnopharmacy.

Cancer cells: Meet modern phytomedicine

The exact mechanism behind these astounding results is yet to be uncovered, but scientists believe dandelion extract essentially “reminds” cancer cells to commit suicide. Because really, cell suicide, or apoptosis, constantly takes place in our bodies—it’s how the body cleanses itself of aged, damaged or diseased cells.

At least, that’s how it’s supposed to work, but cancer cells somehow become resistant to this type of cell death. That is, until dandelion extract enters the picture.

Pandey’s results aren’t the only promising findings behind dandelions and cancer. In 2008, the International Journal of Oncology published a clinical study on dandelion tea’s ability to prompt a decrease in breast cancer cells. Similar results took place on prostate cancer cells.

Another report in 2011, published by the same journal, showed that dietary supplements containing dandelion had a positive effect on prostate cancer cells and appeared to suppress their growth. Also in 2011, dandelion root extract was clinically proven to prompt apoptosis in melanomas shown to be resistant to chemotherapy. And other studies have shown dandelion extract is effective against both pancreatic cancer cells and colon cancer cells.

Pandey and his team were recently given another $157,000 in grant money, on top of the $60K they initially received. The grant is intended for further research into the cancer-fighting potential of dandelion root extract and cancer.

Probably a great tea to add to
your weekly regimen

There aren’t any known reactions between dandelions and other herbs, or dandelions and specific foods. But you should be aware that practitioners warn against taking the substance with antibiotics and lithium. Also, if you’re allergic to ragweed, you might be allergic to dandelion -- so take with caution.

Currently, you can get dandelion extract in both tea form and as a dietary supplement from health food stores. Please note that Dr. Pandey’s research used the root.