Dandelion ~Taraxacum officinale

Dandelion

Latin name: Taraxacum officinale

Family: Asteraceae

Part used: whole plant, root (mainly), leaf

Habitat: most of world

Main constituents: sesquiterpene lactones, taraxacoside, triterpenes, phenolic acids, polysaccharides, carotenoids, bitter substances, carbohydrates (root)

Energetics: cooling, drying, bitter

Main herbal actions: cholagogue (root), diuretic (leaf), antirheumatic, stomachic, choleretic

Minor herbal actions: mild aperient, antitumor, mild laxative

Main medicinal uses: kidney and liver disorders, rheumatism, gout, abnormal blood sugar

Minor medicinal uses: allergies, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, edema, skin diseases

Preparations: tincture (1:1): 2-8ml qd-qid; decoction: 1 tsp root/cup water; infusion: 1 Tbsp leaf/cup water (note possible discrepancies for doses of different preparations)

Contraindications: contact with fresh latex may cause contact dermatitis; bile obstruction, acute gall bladder infection, acute gastrointestinal inflammation, intestinal blockage

Toxicity: none known

Sources: Sharol Tilgner, N.D.: Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth; Wren, R.C. Potter’s New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations