Opinion

Dandelion Root A Cancer Killer?

07/05/2023
84 8 minutes read
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Got a very interesting one to show you here.

But before I get into the research, I have to admit something.

This is kind of embarrassing but perhaps I’m not the only one out there.

When I say “Dandelion” what comes to mind?

This:

Or this:

Here’s the embarrassing part…I wasn’t sure!

I also suspected but didn’t really know that the yellow ones TURN INTO the white ones.

Did you?

Be honest.

Am I the only one?

Here is a super cool time-lapse video showing how it happens:

Hey, I report the news, I don’t know everything about flowers!

Or weeds.

But actually, that’s what I want to talk to you about.

Are these weeds?

Just a nuisance that we wish we could get rid of forever?

Or like most other things, is this perhaps a magic flower that God put hiding in plain sight?

Did God give them the white seeds that fly with the wind so this cure would spread far and wide and be hard to stop?

And is that why they want you to use fertilizer to kill them?

Things that make you go “hmmmmm”…..

That’s not just my wild speculation, that’s part of some growing research that I wanted to show you.

I’ll give you my standard disclaimer here: I’m a reporter.  I’m not a doctor or a scientist.  I am not telling you this will cure cancer.  I’m not saying this will treat or cure or prevent any disease.  I’m just reporting from several sources and letting you make up your own mind.

Ok, we good?

Good!

Let’s start with the most popular report circulating online:  that Dandelion Root kills 98% of all cancer cells:

Absolutely chalked full  of nutrients and anti-oxidants:

LONG referred to as the “Elixir of Life” in folk medicine:

But that’s “just Twitter” right?

How about the National Library of Medicine, PMID: 27564258:

Dandelion root extract affects colorectal cancer proliferation and survival through the activation of multiple death signalling pathways

Dandelion extracts have been studied extensively in recent years for its anti-depressant and anti-inflammatory activity. Recent work from our lab, with in-vitro systems, shows the anti-cancer potential of an aqueous dandelion root extract (DRE) in several cancer cell models, with no toxicity to non-cancer cells. In this study, we examined the cancer cell-killing effectiveness of an aqueous DRE in colon cancer cell models. Aqueous DRE induced programmed cell death (PCD) selectively in > 95% of colon cancer cells, irrespective of their p53 status, by 48 hours of treatment. The anti-cancer efficacy of this extract was confirmed in in-vivo studies, as the oral administration of DRE retarded the growth of human colon xenograft models by more than 90%. We found the activation of multiple death pathways in cancer cells by DRE treatment, as revealed by gene expression analyses showing the expression of genes implicated in programmed cell death. Phytochemical analyses of the extract showed complex multi-component composition of the DRE, including some known bioactive phytochemicals such as α-amyrin, β-amyrin, lupeol and taraxasterol. This suggested that this natural extract could engage and effectively target multiple vulnerabilities of cancer cells. Therefore, DRE could be a non-toxic and effective anti-cancer alternative, instrumental for reducing the occurrence of cancer cells drug-resistance.

Here’s another, PMID: 29234282:

Effect of Methanolic Extract of Dandelion Roots on Cancer Cell Lines and AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway

Ethnomedicinal knowledge of plant-derived bioactives could help us in discovering new therapeutic compounds of great potential. Certainly, dandelion has been used in traditional ethno-medicinal systems (i.e., Chinese, Arabian, Indian, and Native American) to treat different types of cancer. Though, dandelion is highly vigorous, but the potential mode of action is still unclear. In the current study, the antiproliferative activity of methanolic extracts of dandelion root (MEDr) on cell viability of HepG2, MCF7, HCT116, and normal Hs27 was investigated. It was observed that MEDr (500 μg/mL) drastically decreased the growth of HepG2 cell line, while the effect on MCF7 and HCT116 cell lines was less pronounced and no effect has been observed in Hs27 cell lines. The MEDr also enhanced the phosphorylation level of AMPK of HepG2 cells, which considered crucial in cancer treatment and other metabolic diseases. The AMPK activation by MEDr noticed in the current study has never been reported previously. The results regarding the number of apoptotic cells (HepG2 cells) were in line with the cell viability test. The current observations clearly demonstrated the potency of MEDr against liver cancer with validation that dandelion could control AMPK and thus cancer in the treated cell lines.

And from Science Direct:

Dandelion root extract suppressed gastric cancer cells proliferation and migration through targeting lncRNA-CCAT1

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common tumors worldwide. Standard treatment after early detection involves surgical excision (recurrence is possible), and metastatic gastric cancer is refractory to immuno-, radio-, and most harmful chemotherapies. Various natural compounds have shown efficacy in killing different cancers, albeit not always specifically. In this study, we show that dandelion root extract (DRE) specifically and effectively suppresses proliferation and migration in human gastric cells without inducing toxicity in noncancerous cells. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to promote tumorigenesis in many cancer types. Here, we showed that the lncRNA colon cancer-associated transcript-1 (CCAT1) was down-regulated in dandelion-treated GC cells. Furthermore, downregulation of CCAT1 inhibited proliferation and migration of gastric cells. We also found that DRE exerted its function in GC cells partially through targeting CCAT1. This data will provide a basis on which further research in cancer treatment through DRE can be executed.

You want to know how I REALLY know we’re probably on the right track with this?

The USA Today tried to do a “fact check” which ended up actually giving a lot of credence to the research but trying to discredit and nitpick small things to try and debunk the overall claim — the way it typically goes with all these “fact checks”.

Read for yourself:

The claim: Dandelion root may kill 98% of cancer cells in 48 hours

For anyone with a green thumb, the sight of dandelions across a manicured lawn may be irritating, but a recent Instagram post suggests the hardy yellow flower is potent enough to treat cancer in just two days.

“Dandelion root may kill 98% of cancer cells within 48hr,” the April 25 post reads. “Not only that, but it also acts as a powerful anti inflammatory, immune booster, antioxidant, and organ detoxifier.”

USA TODAY reached out to the user for comment on the post, which has accumulated more than 6,000 interactions on Instagram, according to data provided by CrowdTangle, a social media analytics tool owned by Facebook.

…

Anti-cancer effects not shown in humans

There is some evidence to suggest dandelion root extract (or DRE) may have anti-cancer properties.

In studies looking at melanoma, leukemia and pancreatic cancer, the extract appeared to be helpful in coaxing cancer cells to self-destruct, getting the body to kill the cells itself, or slowing down cancer’s overall cellular growth.

…

Our rating: Missing context

The claim that “Dandelion root can kill 98% of cancer cells in 48 hours,” is MISSING CONTEXT, because without additional information it could be misleading. There is research on dandelion root as a cancer-fighting substance, but no published clinical research has proven an anti-cancer effect in humans. The 48-hour time period is derived from a 2016 study of DRE’s effect on cancer cells in a petri dish, not in human patients. While cell culture is a helpful research tool, its dynamics are not comparable to a human body.

My friends over at The Wellness Company are also big on Dandelion root, putting it in their Spike Support Formula.  Here’s more:

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global search for effective methods of prevention and treatment for both acute illness and long-haul symptoms. As variants continue to emerge, and more and more people report persistent spike-related issues, there is a pressing need for alternative approaches to combat the effects of both acute illness and long-COVID.

While we’ve detailed the therapeutic benefits of Nattokinase and other natural compounds included in TWC’s Spike Support Formula on this platform before, today’s article will summarize two studies touting the potency of another natural solution in the fight against spike: common dandelion root extract.

How Spike Infects Our Cells 

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, enters human cells using a structure called the spike protein. This protein interacts with a human protein called ACE2, which is found on the surface of cells in our body. The binding of these two proteins is a precondition for viral infection. In theory, therefore, any compound which is able to block this interaction could be a potential therapeutic.

Dandelion Root Impairs Spike’s Binding Ability, Studies Show 

A study published in 2021 examined the ability of dandelion root extract to do just this: prevent the virus’s spike protein from binding to the human ACE2 receptor in kidney and lung cells [1]. What makes this study interesting is that the researchers tested the extract in vitro on several different SARS-CoV-2 variants, including those with higher infectivity due to increased affinity between the spike protein and ACE2. The results were encouraging: dandelion root extract efficiently inhibited the binding of the spike protein to ACE2 receptors in human cells.

Importantly, the study also found that while dandelion root extract did not affect the normal function of ACE2 cells, it did temporarily reduce the amount of ACE2 protein present in lung cells. Since ACE2 plays an essential role in SARS-CoV-2 infection, reducing its levels could theoretically offer some protection against the virus.

Other research has come to similar conclusions. A second study performed by the same research group in 2022 found that exposing the omicron variant to Dandelion Root Extract for 30 minutes “was sufficient to block infection by 80%” [2].

To the degree that spike protein lingers in the body for months after infection, contributing to symptoms of long-COVID, it seems plausible that Dandelion root may not only be an effective means of preventing acute illness, but could also mitigate the effects of long-haul symptoms.

Bottom Line 

The common dandelion root extract has shown promise as a natural treatment against COVID-19 and its emerging variants. While more research is needed to fully understand its potential, the findings offer hope for a readily available, safe, and affordable alternative to help curb the spread of the virus and treat long-haul symptoms.

Related Supplements

The Wellness Company’s Spike Support Formula contains the following ingredients:

Nattokinase (degrades spike protein)

Selenium (supports immune and blood vessel function)

Dandelion root (acts as a detoxifying agent supporting better liver function)

Black sativa extract (may facilitate cellular repair)

Green tea extract (provides added defenses at the cellular level through scavenging for free radicals)

Irish sea moss (could help rebuild damaged tissue and muscle)


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07/05/2023
84 8 minutes read

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