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Do Dandelions Lower Blood Pressure?

Q. I discovered after eating dandelion greens that they act as a mild diuretic. I confirmed my experience through a web search. I also discovered that they provide a rich source of vitamins and minerals. I am wondering if their diuretic properties would help to lower blood pressure. I could not find any information to confirm this hypothesis. Also, would dandelion supplements work as well as freshly cooked dandelion greens?
A. Eating dandelion greens might seem strange to some Americans, but they are quite nutritious. They have had a reputation as a mild diuretic for decades. A small study in 2009 suggested that there is some basis for this belief (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, August). Although some sources suggest dandelion might lower blood pressure, we could find no clinical studies to support that claim.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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