this "not-a-doctor" gave good advice....

A couple weeks ago I found out a coworkers dog has cancer in its tongue, would barely eat, and the vet was offering Cadillac prices to run a series of tests. My coworker was quite distressed. I advised that she might consider trying dandelion root. I helped her order it and it arrived. She's been giving it to her dog for a handful of days. Already, they dog is eating better, no longer drooling, and had better smelling breath. We are cautiously optimistic. 😃 I will try to update if we see any more improvements.

It is good to hear that the dog is feeling better with dandelion root.

It helps with inflammation.  It is also an antioxidant.

Thanks for the reply!

The main reason I prescribed dandelion was for its anti-cancer effects. I am linking one of many nih.gov studies on dandelion against cancer.  This is the conclusion:

6. Conclusions
The anticancer effects of compounds in dandelion have been extensively studied. Results demonstrate that these compounds exhibit no toxicity toward normal cells and mice, and present certain advantages and potential applications in the research and development of anticancer drugs or adjuvant therapy. The potential signaling pathways for bioactive components in dandelion in cancer cells are reviewed in this article. Briefly, first of all, bioactive components in dandelion inhibit the cell cycle progression and cell proliferation of cancer cells by suppressing the cyclin D1/p21 pathway and promoting p53 expression. Secondly, bioactive components in dandelion induce tumor cell apoptosis through the mitochondrial Bcl-2/caspase pathway. Additionally, bioactive components in dandelion inhibit tumor cell migration and invasion by suppressing the EMT progression, MMPs expression, and blocking the PI3K/Akt pathway. Additionally, regulation of cell metabolism, induction of autophagy, and inhibition of angiogenesis are also involved in the signaling pathways for the treatment of cancer by bioactive components in dandelion.

To summarize quickly - the above paragraph means dandelion keeps cancer cells from growing and spreading, and also means it kills off the cancer cells you have.

Nih.gov Dandelion vs cancer

Elanor Gardner wrote: To summarize quickly - the above paragraph means dandelion keeps cancer cells from growing and spreading, and also means it kills off the cancer cells you have.
Nih.gov Dandelion vs cancer

Can you add a second quick summary - what part of the dandelion were you using? Root extract, or specific compounds?

I'm glad that you at least have improved Doggy's quality of life!

For doggie use, we purchased dandelion root powder off of Etsy.  The dog's owner is tucking it into a small ball of ground meat. We are using 1/2 tsp powder twice a day for a 40 lb dog with cancer.  

When I make this for human use, I make dandelion root extract  (tincture), because that is what the nih.gov studies have been using with success. For this I use washed and chopped up dandelion root, and cover with a good vodka, like Wheatley's Vodka. Keep in a sealed jar in the pantry for at least a month, and then strain the vodka. Now you have medicine.  For human use, I say  start with 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of tincture, once or twice a day, depending on what you are taking it for. In cancer use, I would start with the 1/2 tsp twice a day.  I also read in another study that it greatly compliments traditional cancer treatment for those people who choose to go that route.  

I take it sometimes as an antiviral. It has a slightly bitter taste, so I sometimes add it to my coffee, and I sometimes just add it to a shot glass of water.

This medicine can also be used lower blood sugar, as replacement to a water pill (diuretic), slows blood clotting, rich in potassium, detoxing tonic, cholesterol management, and like Anne mentioned: anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It also works to keep viruses from replicating, I had read about in a different nih.gov study.   (Yes, this is what I do for fun. Read medical journals. Thrilling, I know. But a person can never have too much medical information. Doctors are expensive.)

Important Disclaimer: I am no doctor, but am told that this medicine can interact with diuretics, blood thinners, antiplatelets, lithium, antibiotics (quinolones), diabetes meds, blood pressure meds, medicines broken down by the liver like Cytochrome P450, and of course don't take if you are allergic to dandelions. If you do take any of the listed medicines, you'll have to discuss with your doctor.  If you take dandelion, you must drink enough water to keep from becoming dehydrated due to the diuretic effect of dandelion.  

This is why I am a believer. The pictures from one nih.gov study show rats that were each given a colon cancerous tumor in a lab. The top level is the rats who were not treated with dandelion root extract. Their tumors are large. The bottom level is rats treated with dandelion root extract. Their tumors are a tiny size.

(Scary to find out that you can be given a shot of cancer, no?  Poor rats. )

Thank you! I love my dandelions!

The early hummingbirds love them too when there is nothing else flowering in the spring. Any reason to not mow a lawn is beautiful too me.

Elanor Gardner wrote:For doggie use, we purchased dandelion root powder off of Etsy.  

     The mighty dandelion! Thanks for the thorough information!  
     Like everyone here, I'm concerned about buying anything that will be ingested or used on the body.   I'm very nervous. I've heard stories of products being diluted/cut/mixed with other substances.  How would I go about finding trustworthy sources? Should I rely on reviews?  Am I being overly cautious?  Thanks all!

You're not being overly cautious. I know of a reputable dealer for you...- Mountain Rose Herbs.