DANDELION

Latin Name: Taraxacum officinale

Alternate Names: Lion's Tooth, Blow Ball, Pu Gong Ying (Chinese), Pee-in-the-bed, Wild Endive

Family: ASTERACEAE

Parts Used: All parts.

Properties: Antifungal, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Expectorant, Galactagogue, Hypotensive, Laxative, Lithotriptic, Liver Tonic.

Internal Uses: Acne, Anemia, Arthritis, Boils, Constipation, Diabetes, Eczema, Edema, Gallstones, Hepatitis, High Cholesterol, Hypertension, Jaundice, Kidney Stones, Menstrual Problems, Obesity, Psoriasis, Pulmonary Edema, Rheumatism

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.
Different parts of the herb have different properties. The leaves are a diuretic and hypotensive. The root is an antifungal, cholagogue, diuretic, expectorant, galactagogue, mild laxative, lithotriptic and liver tonic. Only the leaves are used for edema, while the root is used for diabetes. Both are used for hypertension. It is an excellent herb for weight loss as the leaves are diuretic and the root improves fat metabolism.

Topical Uses: Fungal Infection, Warts, Wounds

Topical Applications: Flowers are used as a poultice for wounds. Sap from the stem can be applied to get rid of warts. Use as a wash for fungal infections.

Culinary uses: Leaves are eaten in the spring, before flowering, either raw or cooked. Roots can be cleaned and cooked like carrots or pickled. Roasted roots are made into a coffee substitute. Flowers may be added to muffins or battered and stir-fried. Dandelion wine, made from the flowers, is a delight! So is dandelion beer.

Energetics: Bitter, Sweet, Cold.

Chemical Constituents: Leaves contain bitter glycosides, carotenoids, terpenoids, choline, potassium, iron, calcium, vitamin C, inositol. Root contains bitter glycosides, tannins, triterpenes, sterols, essential oil, choline, inulin, asparagine, taraxacin, taraxacerin.

Contraindications: Before using root, dry or cook it.

Comments: The genus name Taraxacum is derived from the Greek word taraxos, meaning 'disorder' and akos, meaning 'remedy'. It is one of the bitter herbs in the Passover tradition. Dandelions were brought from Europe by the early Colonists. They are one of the planet's most famous and useful weeds. Dandelion is used to help clear the body of old emotions such as anger and fear that can be stored in the body's liver and kidneys. Dandelions provide food for many wild animals such as bees, deer, geese and rabbits. Since herbicides poison our environment, utilize this valuable health-giving plant instead of spraying!