dandylions

[warewolf24]

do dandylions make you wet the bed? if so how?

[Rosie2]

Dandelions are used in traditional medicine as a diuretic to stimulate the production of urine. So taking a dandelion decoction will make you go to the toilet more often to pass water. As for it making you wet the bed- - Well that up to you, dont drink late into the evening and that should solve that problem.

[rojash]

I f you put them in a vase by the bed and leave a tape recorder running, you will find that while you are asleep they constantly intone "You neeeeeed a weeee, you neeed a weeeee" in tiny voices.

[theprof]

They can do.

Dandelions contain large amounts of potassium which act as a diuretic in the body. The leaves contain the most potassium and the potassium works by increasing the rate of elimination of ions and water from the kidneys. In effect, the kidneys go into overdrive in the presence of high levels of potassium resulting in an increase in urine production.

Now potassium is not fussy about what it helps to remove from the body and the body's own potassium reserves can suffer in no time at all. Excessive potassium loss can cause serious problems in the body, especially in the heart. Now bearing in mind, that the dandelion contains huge amounts of potassium, the loss of body potassium is more than compensated by the potassium contained in the dandelion. This makes it what is known as a potassium-sparing diuretic.

The ability of the dandelion not to deplete potassium in the body is one of the reasons why it's become so popular amongst the alternative medicine community. It's also a fairly mild diuretic compared to many of the synthetic diuretics available to physicians today and no part of the plant is toxic to humans.

Just note what Rosie2 advised and don't drink a dandelion concotion in the evening. Incidentally, alcohol increases it's effects manyfold, so never take it before going to bed after a few beers or you're asking for trouble!

[lankeela]

I was told as a child not to pick them because it did this.

[delboy3]

In France they are known as 'p1ss-en-lits' which means p1ss in bed. Just thought I'd let you know (in case you didn't).

[Fairie]

i always wondered why people called them 'wee the beds'
now i know! we never picked them as children because of this!!