Ø  Dandelion:

Dandelion Flower: Backache, depression, headache, menstrual cramps, night blindness

Dandelion Leave: Amenorrhea, anemia, anorexia, appetite loss, arthritis, bedwetting, breast cancer, breast tenderness, bronchitis, candida, cellulite, colitis, congestive heart failure, cysts, debility, diabetes, dropsy, dyspepsia, edema, endometriosis, eye strain (from too much time in front of a computer screen), fatigue, gallstones, hangover, high cholesterol, hypertension, hypochondria, insomnia, kidney stones, mastitis, mononucleosis, muscular rheumatism, nervousness, obesity, poison oak and ivy, prostatitis, rash, rheumatism, scrofula, scurvy, sinusitis, spleen enlargement, stomachache, tonsillitis, ulcers, urinary tract infection, uterine fibroids

Dandelion Root: Abscess, acne, age spots, alcoholism, allergies, anorexia, appetite loss, arthritis, boils, breast cancer, breast tenderness, bronchitis, candida, cellulite, chicken pox, cirrhosis, colitis, congestive heart failure, constipation, cysts, depression, diabetes, dizziness, dyspepsia, eczema, endometriosis, eye strain (from too much time in front a computer screen), fatigue, flatulence, gallstones, gout, hangover, hay fever, headache, heartburn, hemorrhoids, hepatitis, herpes, high cholesterol, hypertension, hypochondria, hypoglycemia, jaundice, kidney stones, mastitis, measles, mononucleosis, morning sickness, mumps, obesity, osteoarthritis, ovarian cysts, poison oak and ivy, premenstrual syndrome, prostatitis, psoriasis, rash, rheumatism, sinusitis, spleen enlargement, tonsillitis, tuberculosis, tumors, ulcers, uterine fibroids, varicose veins, venereal warts

§      Warning: There is always a possibility of allergy.

∞      Botanical name: Taraxacuim officinale

---Parts Used--- Flower, leaf, roof

---Physiological Character ---

Flower: Anodyne, cardioprotective, emollient, hepatic, vulnerary

Leaf: Alterative, anodyne, antacid, antilithic, antioxidant, antirheumatic, aperients, astringent, bitter, decongestant, depurative, digestive, diuretic, febrifuge, galactagogue, hepatic, hypotensive, immune stimulant, laxative, lithotriptic, nutritive, restorative, stomachic, tonic, vulnerary

Root: Alterative, anodyne, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, aperients, astringent, bitter, choleretic, chologogue, decongestant, deobstruent, depurative, digestive, discutients, diuretic, galactagogue, hepatic, hypnotic, immune stimulant, laxative, lithotriptic, nutritive, purgative, sedative, stomachic, tonic

---Description--- Dandelion, a native of Eurasia that is now naturalized across North America, is a perennial growing two to eighteen inches tall on a hollow, unbranched stem with a basal rosette of shiny, hairless, coarsely toothed green leaves that broaden from the base toward the top.  The leaves’ teeth are usually downward directed.  Each plant bears a single yellow flower (which is actually composed of many tiny bisexual flowers).  Each floret has five tiny teeth on its edge.  Beneath the dandelion flower is a green calyx with downward-curving outer bracts.  The seeds are achenes (one-seeded fruits); they bear a feathery pappus and are carried on the wind, in some cases landing as far as five miles from their origin.

Dandelion grows well in full sun to partial shade, requires only low to moderate water, and will thrive in a wide variety of soils.  It is incredibly hardy and has one of the longest flowering seasons of any plant; when a warm spell occurs in an off-season, it is not unusual to see the plant in flower.

Instead of spending your summers trying to eradicate dandelion from your lawn, learn to utilize this valuable, health-giving plant.  But as is the case with all herbs, do not collect dandelion from areas that have been sprayed with herbicide in the past two years.

---Constituents---

Flower: Carotenoids (taraxanthin, a mixture of lutein, flavoxanthin, and chrysanthemaxanthin), lecithin

Leaf:  Beta-carotene, vitamins B1 and B2, choline, inositiol, folic acid, vitamin C, calcium, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, taraxacin, bitter glycosides, terpenoids

Root: Calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, choline, flavanoids (lutein, luteolin, flavoxanthin, violaxanthin), pectin, inulin, taraxacin, taraxacerin, triterpenes (taraxol, taraxerol, taraxosterol, amyrin), coumestrol, levulin, mucilage, tannin, essential oil, asparagine, lactupicrine, phenolic acids (quinic, chlorogenic), caffeic acid, gallic acid, fatty acids (myristic, palmitic, stearic, lauric)

---Medicinal Action and Uses--- Dandelion is a blood purifier, meaning that it aids in the process of filtering and straining wastes from the bloodstream.  It is useful in treating obstructions of the gallbladder, liver, pancreas, and spleen.  It also can be used to help clear the body of stored negative emotions, such as anger and fear that can be stored in the liver and kidneys.

Use the root primarily for problems related to the liver, spleen, stomach, and kidneys.  Use the leaf for liver, kidney, and bladder concerns. When prepared as a cold-water infusion, dandelion root tea improves liver function, and dandelion leaf tea aids in the elimination of uric acid.  Both the leaf and the root are cancer preventives.  In Germany, an over-the-counter drug called Hepatichol, which is made primarily from dandelion along with nettles and several other herbs, is recommended for liver and gallbladder problems, including gallstones.

Dandelion leaf or root tea enhances the entire digestive tract.  It is excellent especially after a high-ft meal and can help relieve indigestion.  Dandelion leaf and/or root tea is highly recommended for those embarking on a cleanse or fast.  Many Europeans commonly follow “the cure,” a cleansing routine that entails drinking three cups of dandelion root tea daily for six to eight weeks. They may do this twice a year, in the spring and again in the autumn.  Dandelion is also an excellent herb for weight loss, as the leaves are diuretic and the root improves fat metabolism.

Ingesting dandelion root in the last few weeks of pregnancy can help prevent pathological jaundice in the newborn.  Jaundice in an infant can be treated with dandelion root tea taken by the nursing mother or given to the infant directly; the mother can drink as much as she is able, while the infant should be given only about 1 teaspoon daily.  As dandelion leaf is a galactagogue, it is excellent for nursing mothers:  it increases the nursing mother’s milk supply and also bolsters the milk’s nutritional quality – a boom for the infant!  The mineral-rich leaf and root make excellent food or tea for growing children. Because dandelion leaves and roots help cleanse the liver and kidneys and purify the blood, they are excellent for teenagers concerned about acne.

Topically, the leaf can be made into a wash to treat fungal infections.

---Nutrient Source--- The most important correlation of nutritional data to the effects of Dandelion is the abundance of minerals present.  Dandelion contains a very balanced mineral profile.  It has generous quantities of the electrolytes sodium and potassium.  These help to balance the body’s reaction to the diuretic effects produced by this herb.

It is high in vitamin A which contains beta-carotene.  Since vitamin A is stored in the liver, the purging process stimulated by the bitter principle in dandelion would undoubtedly release some of the vitamin A stored in the liver and provide a ready supply of this essential nutrient to other body systems.

---Flavor--- Dandelion leaf and root have an earthy, slightly bitter, slightly salty flavor and cooling energy.  To make the tea more palatable, add pieces of dried apple or fresh oranges slices.

---Side Effects or Negative Effects--- Dandelion is generally regarded as safe, even in large amounts; however, as with all substances, there is always a possibility of allergy.  Before using the root, either dry it or cook it, rather than consuming it fresh, tom make it less laxative and easier to digest.  There have been rare reports of abdominal discomfort, loose stools, nausea, and heartburn associated with dandelion.  The latex in the fresh plant can cause contact dermatitis in some individuals.  Consult with a physician prior to using dandelion of you suffer from an obstructed bile duct or gallstones.  Some individuals with gastric hyperacidity may find excessive use of dandelion leaf aggravates that condition.

---Deterrent---

  ---References--- “Healing Herbal Teas” A Complete Guide to Making Delicious, Healthful Beverages.  By – Brigitte Mars, A.H.G. ISBN - 13: 978-59120-110-6 and ISBN – 10: 1-59120-110-1 Copyright 2006

  ---References---  “Nutritional Herbology” A Reference Guide to Herbs By – Mark Pedersen ISBN: 1-885653-07-7 Copyright 2008

∞      Recipe: Dandelion Coffee – A wonderful beverage is dandelion coffee.  Made from roasted dandelion roots, it has a rich, earthy, coffee like flavor but is caffeine-free, nonaddictive, and much kinder to the stomach.  To make dandelion coffee, gather a good supply of dandelion roots, Scrub them clean with a vegetable brush, slice them lengthwise, and allow them to dry in a warm place for two weeks.  Then roast the dried roots wither by setting them in an oven for four hours at 200˚. Let the roots cool completely, and then store them in a glass jar. Grind the roots and use them in a drip coffee maker or French press.

Dandelion coffee can be drunk black or mixed with cream and sugar or honey and milk (or almond milk).  If you drink a lot of regular coffee be sure to wing yourself off this so that you do not have a caffeine withdrawal headache.

∞      Recipe: