The humble dandelion, who knew 2

Dandelion advocates say they are a health benefit, however, many of the claims need additional research to prove dandelion’s effectiveness in humans.

A dandelion is a weed if it is the wrong place, but it also has potential to help you stay healthy by:

May support healthy bones

Very little research has been conducted on dandelion’s effect on bone health, though some of its individual nutrients contribute to the maintenance of strong, healthy bones. Dandelion greens are a good source of calcium and vitamin K, both of which play a key role in bone health. One small study linked an increased intake of vitamin K-rich leafy green vegetables to lower blood levels of osteocalcin, a protein found in your bones. This suggests that eating more leafy greens such as dandelion greens may help prevent bone loss. Inulin, a fiber found in dandelion root, may also support healthy bones by improving digestion and gut health. Additionally, some research suggests that the antioxidants in dandelion and other greens play a key role in bone health and protect against bone loss by decreasing oxidative stress

Aiding digestion

Some people use dandelion as a traditional remedy for constipation and other digestion issues. A study looking at animal digestion indicated that some chemicals present in dandelions helped improve the digestive system. Dandelion root is often dried and made into tea, but you can also eat it whole as you do other root vegetables. The study saw a reduction in the resistance in food moving to rodents’ small intestines. Research is now needed on humans to test for similar results.

Keeping skin healthy

Some research indicates that dandelion may help protect the skin from sun damage. Ultraviolet (UV) light causes considerable damage to the skin and contributes to skin aging. A 2015 study on skin cells in a test tube found that dandelion could reduce the impact of one type of damaging UV light. Protecting the skin from UV damage can help a person look younger for longer. Research in humans is needed to verify these results.

It is not advisable to consume dandelions from the backyard. Dandelion leaves are sometimes present in salads, but they are not widely available in all areas. Picking dandelions in a backyard is unsafe due to the potential presence of pesticides or animal excrement. However, it is possible to obtain dandelion supplements or teas and coffees infused with dandelion root. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have recognized dandelion as generally being safe to include in food products.

Dandelion supplements can cause allergic reactions in some people. People should not use dandelion supplements if they are sensitive to dandelions or certain other plants, such as ragweed, daisies, or chrysanthemums, or marigolds.

People trying supplements should follow instructions on the bottle for recommended doses and always speak to a doctor before taking them.

Dandelions are rich in nutrients and could be a healthful addition to a person’s diet or daily supplements. As with any supplement, it is best to speak to a doctor before taking them to discuss possible risks and interactions with other medications.

Dandelion supplements are available in some health food stores and online. People can also purchase dandelion root tea.

The humble dandelion who knew 1

 I was listening to the radio a day or so ago and the subject of weeds vs flowers came up and the conversation drifted to Dandelions. Dandelion advocates claim that the flower has many potential health benefits and dandelion has been used in many forms of traditional medicine for centuries.

The discussion reminded me that when I was young my parents would make dandelion wine, which because of my age, I never got to taste. I am not sure if dandelion wine has fallen out of favour with homemade winemakers but there are some benefits to dandelion wine. t's a good source of vitamins A, B, and C and potassium. It contains antioxidants. Dandelions are considered a digestive tonic, so you can use the wine as a digestif after meals. Dandelions may also help reduce inflammation. The advocates of dandelions say they are a health benefit, however, many of the claims need additional research to prove dandelions’ effectiveness in humans.

A dandelion is a weed if it is in the wrong place, but it also has the potential to help you stay healthy by:

Providing antioxidants

Dandelions may have various health benefits. Antioxidants work to neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals. The human body produces free radicals naturally, but they cause harm by accelerating aging or the progression of certain diseases.

Reducing cholesterol

Dandelions contain bioactive compounds that may help lower a person’s cholesterol. Some compounds in dandelion may decrease triglyceride and cholesterol levels, both of which are key risk factors for heart disease. One study from 2010 examined the effects of dandelion consumption in rabbits. Its results found that dandelion root and leaf could help lower cholesterol in animals on a high-cholesterol diet. However, testing on humans is necessary to help determine how effective dandelion could be for lowering cholesterol.

Regulating blood sugar

There is some evidence to suggest that dandelions contain compounds that may help with regulating blood sugar. In 2016, some researchers proposed that dandelion’s antihyperglycemic, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory properties may help treat type 2 diabetes. However, further research is required to make any definitive claims.

Reducing inflammation

Some studies indicate that dandelion extracts and compounds may help reduce inflammation in the body. In one 2014 study, researchers found that chemicals present in dandelions had some positive effects on reducing inflammatory responses. They conducted the study in cells and not in human participants, which means that more studies are necessary to conclude that dandelion reduces inflammation in the human body.

Lowering blood pressure

There is little research to support the use of dandelion for lowering blood pressure. However, dandelions are a good source of potassium. There is clinical evidence that shows that potassium can help reduce blood pressure. For example, research has found that people taking a potassium supplement saw a reduction in their blood pressure, especially if they already had high blood pressure.

Aiding weight loss

Some researchers have proposed that dandelion could help people achieve their weight loss goals. This is based on the plant’s ability to improve carbohydrate metabolism and reduce fat absorption. A small study of mice found that chlorogenic acid, a chemical present in dandelions, may help reduce weight gain and lipid retention. Strong evidence to support this claim is lacking, however.

Reducing cancer risk

Some limited, but positive, research has indicated that dandelion may help reduce the growth of certain types of cancer. So far, studies have looked at dandelion’s impact on cancer growth in test tubes and found that it may help with slowing the growth of colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, and liver cancer. However, as with other potential benefits, more research is required to show how effective dandelions can be as part of cancer treatment.

Boosting the immune system

There is growing evidence that suggests that dandelions can help boost the immune system. Researchers have found that dandelions show both antiviral and antibacterial properties. For example, one 2014 study found that dandelions help limit the growth of hepatitis B in both human and animal cells in test tubes. More research is now required to determine the impact of dandelions on the immune system, however.

I turned the alarm off and I turned on to time flying by.

According to the bible I am in the latter days of my life. Psalm 90:10s states, "As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years".

In Aboriginal society, I could be an Elder. An Elder is a very important member of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities. The term Elder refers to someone who has attained a high degree of understanding of life. The big challenge is that it really depends on the culture or community to define what makes an Elder. One common trait that I think all seniors have is the need to strive to show by example by living our lives according to deeply ingrained principles, values and teachings. So, here are some teachings that you may find interesting.

Working made me realize that people who “hate getting old “are idiots. You are allowed to hate becoming ill, becoming infirm, becoming depressed …. but don’t hate getting old it is far better than the alternative.

I am lucky to reach my age, I know that, and I am grateful.

Memory is a fickle friend, sometimes she stays with you and sometimes she leaves you when you most need her.

Certain memories last a lifetime, and they will never leave you, some you wish would, but they are like the "cat" who always came back no matter what you do. Other memories you want to stay but they keep slipping away and then rush back like the tide. In 1969 getting married, in 1963 listening in shock to the news of Kennedy's death; in 2010 seeing my grandson for the first time. Camping in Spain in the 1970s, In 1976 watching my daughter being born; watching my mother fight for her life. Seeing the Sydney Opera house.

Being a teacher…and seeing people at their very best.

Actions always speak louder than words and I tend to trust those who tell me they will do and do than those who tell me they will do and don't.

Friends are life, but at some point, they start to leave you, treasure them.

I no longer put up with bad behaviour, bad music, bad films or toxic people.

I don't watch news coverage on tv. I say what I think more, and I never talk about politics, or gun laws, or post a seemingly innocuous blog without thinking about it.

I now recognize that real friends are real in so much that they don’t rationalize affection, praise, or support. They just accept you.

I sleep if I can in the afternoon.

I think about what we did without phones and the internet and wonder what would happen if we went back to those days.

Be true to yourself; do things you want to do. Be what you want to be and help others to do the same.

If you love someone, tell them. Tell them as often as you can.

Move forward into your next year by embracing a new skill, a new career, or a new experience and realize that you deserve it.

Saying Goodbye

 A few days ago I lost an Aunt. She was the youngest of my Dad's sisters and only about 12 years older than me. She was a wonderful woman who played a big part in the early days of my life. As an adult, I did not see her as much as I should have and I regret that. In the past few years, I have only seen her at family gatherings to celebrate another lost life. Her death was not unexpected but in a way it was; she had been in and out of the hospital and we were not sure about how long she would last but she was a strong lady so we thought she would overcome. She did not.

She will be missed, as she was loved deeply, When we are grieving, it can be hard to put into words the wide array of emotions that we feel: regret, outrage, sadness, guilt, and helplessness among them. In times like this, it’s often helpful to turn to the wise words of others who have also experienced grief — both as a means of support and a reminder that things will get easier over time. As the renowned painter, Henri Matisse once said, “​​The pain passes, but the beauty remains.” Here, are some quotes that spoke to me as I deal with the grief.

Deep grief sometimes is almost like a specific location, a coordinate on a map of time. When you are standing in that forest of sorrow, you cannot imagine that you could ever find your way to a better place. But if someone can assure you that they themselves have stood in that same place, and now have moved on, sometimes this will bring hope. — Elizabeth Gilbert

To spare oneself from grief at all cost can be achieved only at the price of total detachment, which excludes the ability to experience happiness. — Erich Fromm, psychoanalyst  

Every one of us is losing something precious to us. Lost opportunities, lost possibilities, feelings we can never get back again. That’s part of what it means to be alive.   — Haruki Murakami  

Grief is in two parts. The first is loss. The second is the remaking of life.
— Anne Roiphe, writer

For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.
— Khalil Gibran 

Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak knits up the o-er wrought heart and bids it break. — William Shakespeare

Grief starts to become indulgent, and it doesn’t serve anyone, and it’s painful. But if you transform it into remembrance, then you’re magnifying the person you lost and also giving something of that person to other people, so they can experience something of that person. — Patti Smith

If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.
— Thich Nhat Hanh