Dandelion

Dandelion

Latin Name: Taraxacum officinalis radix
Family: Asteraceae

Part used: Root and leaf
Energetics: salty & sweet, cold & dry
Iris: All
Interactions:  Please check with your Healthcare Provider.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

  • Bile duct obstruction
  • Stomach ulcers
  • Gilbert’s syndrome
  • Liver cancer
  • Hormone-sensitive cancers
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Allergies to Asteraceae (daisy) family.

ACTIONS

  • Digestive
  • Bitter tonic
  • Cholagogue
  • Hepatic
  • Powerful diuretic (leaves)
  • Pancreatic regulator
  • Anti-cholesterolaemic.
  • Antilithic
  • Anti-neoplastic
  • Laxative
  • Dermatological agent
  • Galactagogue
  • Antiseptic
  • Anti-oxidant
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anti-arthritic

Main Constituents

  • Volatile oil
  • Sesquiterpene lactones
  • Caffeic acid
  • Sterols
  • Fatty acids
  • Inulin up to 40%
  • Mucilage
  • Vitamins: B, C, D, Ca, Fe, Mg, K, Zn
  • Silica

Main Uses

Portal congestion, Clears bile stones and sludge
Digestive System: Increases salivary and gastric secretions, For tendencies to form bile stones and sludge, Constipation
Skin: Eczema, Spots, Acne, Boils, Abscesses
Circulatory: Portal congestion, Diabetes, Haemorrhoids, Oedema
Mental/Emotional: Anorexia
Musculo-Skeletal System: Rheumatism, Gout
Endocrine: Increase milk in nursing mothers
Urinary System: Cystitis, Urinary infections, Renal calculi

More About Dandelion

Dandelion, scientifically known as Taraxacum officinale, is a weedy perennial herb of the family Asteraceae. The plant is native to Eurasia but is widely distributed throughout much of temperate North America. It is a fascinating plant with a rich history of traditional use as a herbal medicine.
Its various parts, including the leaves, roots, and flowers, have been used to treat a wide range of ailments and conditions, and it continues to be used today as a natural remedy for various health issues.
Dandelion has a long history of use as a medicinal herb. It was traditionally used to treat a variety of ailments, including liver and kidney problems, digestive issues, skin problems, and more.
In traditional Chinese medicine, ithas been used to treat breast diseases, inflammation, and digestive problems.
Dandelion leaves and roots are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, iron, and potassium.
The leaves are believed to be a natural diuretic, meaning they can help increase urine production and flush out excess fluids from the body. This property may make it useful in treating oedema.
The flowers are often used to make a traditional tonic called dandelion wine, which is believed to have detoxifying and blood-cleansing properties.
In folklore, dandelion was believed to have magical properties and was often associated with the sun. It was said that if you made a wish and blew on a dandelion puffball, the number of seeds left on the stem would tell you how many years it would be until your wish came true.
Dandelion was also believed to have healing properties. In medieval times, it was used to treat everything from snake bites to melancholy, and it was even believed to be effective against witchcraft.
Dandelion is a fantastic inconspicuous plant that is mainly used as a bitter, digestive stimulant, liver restorative and diuretic. The bitter taste stimulates digestive secretions by promoting the flow of bile.
It has a slightly sweet taste due to the inulin content, which restores pancreatic function, and may be helpful in Diabetes. Inulin feeds the beneficial bacteria.
The root has a high mineral content which helps in the regulation of bodily fluids, such as connective tissue and interstitial fluids. It combines well with Horsetail, Cleavers and Nettle for this reason.
It can help to clear excess uric acid and depositions such as stones, and is useful in the treatment of eczema and acne, as it helps to cleanse the blood.
It has an immunostimulant and antiviral effect and can help with portal and venous congestion, high cholesterol, obesity and gallbladder inflammation.
The diuretic activity of dandelion may be a result of its high potassium content, especially in the leaves, which makes it useful for supporting both kidney and circulatory issues and for eliminating uric acid, for gout.
Some people can react to Dandelion due to the Sesquiterpene lactones.

Recipes:


Dandelion Root Coffee

Instructions:
Step 1
Gather some dandelion roots.
Step 2
Wash your dandelion roots as best as possible.
Step 3
Slice the dandelion roots into chip-like pieces.
Step 4
Arrange the root pieces onto your dehydrator’s trays. Allow to dry for 60 minutes.
Step 5
Now chop the dried dandelion root into small pieces.
Step 6
Arrange the root pieces onto an oven tray.
Step 7
Roast the dandelion root for 30 minutes on 200°F. The roots need to be brown and dried right through.
Step 8
Allow the dandelion root to cool then finely grind, and roast a second time in an oven for 5 minutes on 180°f. store in an airtight container.
How to make a cup of dandelion root coffee recipe:
Put 6 tablespoons of dandelion coffee grinds into 500ml of boiling water and leave to steep for 30 minutes. Strain into a saucepan and reheat to the desired temperature. Serve with milk and honey if so desired.

Dandelion Syrup

Instructions:
Collect Dandelions: Gather about 4 cups of dandelion flowers from a clean, pesticide-free area.
Prepare the Flowers: Pluck the yellow petals from the greens since the green parts can impart a bitter flavour.
Make the Infusion: In a pot, cover the petals with about 4 cups of boiling water. Let it steep overnight to create a strong infusion.
Strain and Cook: Strain the liquid through a fine sieve or cloth to remove all solid parts. Combine the liquid with the juice of one lemon and around 3 cups of sugar. Cook this mixture on low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and then simmer until it thickens to a syrup consistency.
Bottle: Pour the hot syrup into sterilised jars. Seal and store in a cool place.
Dose: 1 tablespoon once or twice a day.

References


Gastrointestinal Disease

The potential of dandelion in the fight against gastrointestinal diseases: A review
The review reveals some in vivo and in vitro studies on the potential of dandelion derived products as complementary and alternative medicines/therapeutics against GI disorders. The whole herb may alleviate some symptoms related GI immuno-inflammatory basing on the abundant anti-inflammatory and anti-oxide active substances.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35405251/

Hypoglycemic Effect

Hypoglycemic effect of Taraxacum officinale root extract and its synergism with Radix Astragali extract
LDRE-w and RAE had synergistic hypoglycemic effect; we found that DRE-w and its combination with RAE could relieve the state of insulin resistance in IR-HepG2 cells. The combination could more significantly increase the glucose consumption and intracellular glycogen content, and improve the activity of hexokinase and pyruvate kinase in IR-HepG2 cells. In summary, DRE and its combination with RAE can be developed as the drugs or functional foods for diabetes prevention and treatment.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33841825/

Anti-tumour

Taraxacum officinale extract shows antitumor effects on pediatric cancer cells and enhance mistletoe therapy
This preclinical data support the use of Taraxacum as a potential adjuvant application in pediatric oncology.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30219442/

Anti-inflammatory

Anti-inflammatory activity of Taraxacum officinale
In conclusion, the ethanol extract of Taraxacum officinale F. Weber ex Wiggers (TEE) contains anti-angiogenic, acute anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874107004850#aep-section-id34

Diuretic

The Diuretic Effect in Human Subjects of an Extract of Taraxacum officinale Folium over a Single Day
Based on these first human data, T. officinale ethanolic extract shows promise as a diuretic in humans.
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.2008.0152

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