Taraxacum officinalis

Taraxacum officinalis                                    Common name: Dandelion
Family: Asteraceae

   Parts used:  Root, young leaves, (flowers)

Constituents:  Sesquiterpene lactones, triterpene steroids (sitosterin, stigmasterin, phytosterin), phenolic acids, polysaccharides (inc. inulin), carotenoids, protein, sugars, pectin, choline, vitamins [the vitamin A content is higher than in carrots; 14,000 iu/ 100 g raw leaves], minerals, bitter principle (taraxacin, taraxacerin), inulin.

Medicinal actions: Leaf:  diuretic, choleretic, anti-inflammatory. Root:  choleretic, cholagogue, tonic, antirheumatic, bitter, alterative, depurative.

Medicinal use:  The leaves are a potasium sparing diuretic, yet are not overstimulating to the kidneys. The root is stimulating to the digestive system, most notably the liver.  It is indicated in any condition of liver and/or gall-bladder inflammation and stasis including cholelithiasis, metabolic toxicity, and jaundice. Taraxacum root is alterative for chronic toxic conditions manifesting as eczema, acne, arthritis, chronic gastritis and enteritis.

Pharmacy: Root decoction:  2-8 g/day. Leaf decoction:  4-10 g/day. Tincture: (1:5) of root and/or leaf, 3-5 ml TID. Dried herb:  4-10 g TID.

Toxicity:  Safe herb