Dandelion Taraxacum officinale

Taraxacum officinale

Family: Asteraceae

Descriptive characteristics: 

Perennial that grows in the N Hemisphere. Thick tap roots, dark brown outside and white and milky within. Jagged leaves, long, shiny, smooth. Stalks are shiny and purplish stem from the root. Flowers are blooming bright golden yellow. 

Constituents: 

Large amounts of terpenoids and sterol bitter in roots, leaves, flowers. Polysaccharides, pectin, resin, mucilage, flavonoids, inulin, fatty acids, phenolic acids, phytosterols.

Vitamins and minerals: beta carotene, non-provitamin A cartenoids, xanthophlls, chorophyll, vitamins C and D, many B complex vitamins as well as chline, iron, silicon, magnesium, sodium...

Therapeutic actions:

Moderation of glucose, cholagogue, enhancement of the immune system, Treatment of dysfunction of the liver, and gall bladder. Water retention. Root acts upon liver and gall bladder, leaves are diuretic.  Well known throughout indigenous populations to treat heartburn, kidney disease, dropsy, and dermatological problems. Germany standardized and licensed it to treat billary disorders, and digestive and gastrointestinal compliants

 

Contraindications: Obstruction of bile ducts, gallbladder empyema, ileus

Formulary : 

Powder: 3-4 g of cut or powdered root and herb three times daily.

Decoction: Boil 3-4 g cut or powdered root and herb in 150 ml water.

Infusion: Steep 1 tablespoon cut root and herb in 150 ml water.

Dry native extract 4:1 (w/w): 0.75-1 g.

Fluidextract 1:1 (g/ml): 3-4 ml.

Tincture: 10-15 drops, three times daily.

Succus: 5-10 ml pressed sap from fresh plant.

Research:

Small study of people with chronic colitis was successfully treated (96%) in a herbal formula of dandelion, calendula, fennel, and lemon balm. 

Anonymous (1999) Dandelion Monograph. Herb Clip, American Botanical Council. 

http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/159/review42339.html