Plant Description
Medical Properties
DosageCaution & Interaction
Efficacy Studies
& Other Clinical Data
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Latin (botanical) name:
Taraxacum officinale
Common names:Dandelion
Plant Description:Taraxacum is a native of western Europe where it grows in meadows, fields, and uncultivated land. It originated in Central Asia, but now grows almost anywhere in the world, preferring moist conditions. The common Dandelion is a perennial, herbaceous plant with long, lance-shaped, deeply toothed leaves. The leaves are 3-12 inches long. It has yellow composite flowers that are 1-2 inches wide and grow individually on hollow, purplish stalks 2-18 inches tall. Each flower head is made up of hundreds of tiny rays. All parts of the plant contain a sticky, milky white sap and when the flowers are picked, the bitter, milky juice comes out from the broken edges of the stem.
Interesting Historical Notes:The first mention of the Dandelion as a medicine was Chinese herbals around the 7th century. By the 10th and 11th centuries, Arabian physicians spoke of it as a sort of wild endive, under the name of Taraxacon. It was also mentioned in the Welsh medicines of the 13th century. Dandelion was first spoken of in Europe around 1485. It's common name was apparently invented by a 15th century surgeon, who compared the shape of the leaves to a lion's tooth. Various Native American groups used dandelions for food, as a laxative, a love potion, and a general tonic. Dandelion has been valued in traditional herbalism for centuries and is still used extensively.
Medicinal Properties &Uses: All parts of the Dandelion plant contain a somewhat bitter, milky juice, but the active principle is taraxacin, the "juice" of the root, which is the part of the plant most often used by herbalists. Dandelion is traditionally used as a general tonic and as a diuretic. Dandelion is a natural source of potassium, and it has also been used traditionally as a mild laxative.
Dosage: 30-60 drops in water or juice, 2-3 times daily, or as needed. Shake well before using.
Cautions & Interactions: Contraindicated in blockage of the bile ducts, acute gallbladder inflammation, and intestinal blockage. Keep out of reach of children.
Efficacy Studies & Other Clinical Data:
Disclaimer (U.S. Only): These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease.
Common names:Dandelion
Plant Description:Taraxacum is a native of western Europe where it grows in meadows, fields, and uncultivated land. It originated in Central Asia, but now grows almost anywhere in the world, preferring moist conditions. The common Dandelion is a perennial, herbaceous plant with long, lance-shaped, deeply toothed leaves. The leaves are 3-12 inches long. It has yellow composite flowers that are 1-2 inches wide and grow individually on hollow, purplish stalks 2-18 inches tall. Each flower head is made up of hundreds of tiny rays. All parts of the plant contain a sticky, milky white sap and when the flowers are picked, the bitter, milky juice comes out from the broken edges of the stem.
Interesting Historical Notes:The first mention of the Dandelion as a medicine was Chinese herbals around the 7th century. By the 10th and 11th centuries, Arabian physicians spoke of it as a sort of wild endive, under the name of Taraxacon. It was also mentioned in the Welsh medicines of the 13th century. Dandelion was first spoken of in Europe around 1485. It's common name was apparently invented by a 15th century surgeon, who compared the shape of the leaves to a lion's tooth. Various Native American groups used dandelions for food, as a laxative, a love potion, and a general tonic. Dandelion has been valued in traditional herbalism for centuries and is still used extensively.
Medicinal Properties &Uses: All parts of the Dandelion plant contain a somewhat bitter, milky juice, but the active principle is taraxacin, the "juice" of the root, which is the part of the plant most often used by herbalists. Dandelion is traditionally used as a general tonic and as a diuretic. Dandelion is a natural source of potassium, and it has also been used traditionally as a mild laxative.
Dosage: 30-60 drops in water or juice, 2-3 times daily, or as needed. Shake well before using.
Cautions & Interactions: Contraindicated in blockage of the bile ducts, acute gallbladder inflammation, and intestinal blockage. Keep out of reach of children.
Efficacy Studies & Other Clinical Data:
-
Clinical Trials & Case Studies
- Dandelion has been the subject of research as a diuretic, a mild laxative, and a source of potassium.
Disclaimer (U.S. Only): These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease.
