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Dandelion - Uses and Benefits
Alternative Names:
Blowball, Cankerwort, Lion's Tooth, Priest's Crown, Swine's Snout, Wild Endive , Puffball, White Endive.
Herb Description
The dandelion is a weedy herbaceous plant native of western Europe.It grows in hayfields and fallow land. It originated in Central Asia, but now matures almost anywhere in the world, It likes moist conditions & full sun areas. The dandelion is also known by its generic name Taraxacum . Dandelion is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae , the name derived from the French, dents de lion ("teeth of the lion") due to the shape of the leaves. The leaves of dandelion are 3 to 12" long, and 1/2 to 2-1/2" wide, always maturing in a basal rosette at the base of the plant & are not killed by close mowing. The fruit is a ball-shaped cluster of some tiny, tufted single-seeded fruits.
Dandelion is now extended as it was used all most every part of the world for it's medicinal and culinary uses. Dandelions are famous with beekeepers as they are an early source of nectar. The bitter young leaves are taken in salads and the roots can be taken to make a beverage just like coffee .Dandelion has been used as a potherb and medicinal plant since Roman periods. It is used as a remedy in various treatment just because of a high source of vitamin and mineral content. Mature leaves are generally dried and used to make a mild tea. Dried roots are generally used to make stronger tea and used for various medicinal purposes including a mild diuretic.
Properties
- Gentle diuretic.
- Choleretic.
- Mild laxative.
- Digestive.
- Hepatic tonic.
- Cholagogue.
- Anti rheumatic.
Uses and Benefits
Dandelion is believed a weed plant by many gardeners, but this plant has many culinary and medicinal uses.The leaves are high in various vitamins content including iron & can be used as tea is greatly beneficial to the health. The plant is used to cooked or raw in many types, such as in soup or salad . Generally fresh leaves and unopened buds are used raw in salads, while older leaves are cooked. Raw leaves have a some bitter taste. Dandelion salad is normally accompanied with hard boiled eggs .
Both dandelion roots & leaves have great medicinal actions and have been used in traditional medicine to cure disorders of the liver. For many centuries Native Americans have used the root to treat kidney disease, heartburn, stomach disorders ,skin problems and swelling.
Dandelion benefits include are :
- It helps to make the gall bladder normal.
- It is a diuretic.
- It can stimulate the manufacture of bile & It can purify the bloodstream and liver.
- It can abate the amounts of serum cholesterol and uric acid
- It can heighten the work of the kidneys, pancreas & spleen.
- It is very efficacious to menopausal women.
- It is useful to treat abscesses, anemia, boils, breast tumors, hemorrhoids, gout, rheumatism, eczema, and cirrhosis of the liver .
- It has a beneficial effect upon the nervous system.
- It works better for appetite loss.
- It heighten the Indigestion.
- It has a beneficial effect on bladder stones.
- It is effective for urinary tract infections .
Side Effects
Gastric discomfort may arise due to hyperacidity.
Never take dandelion root for a long period of time
Some allergic reactions or a sore mouth can be produced after taking or touching dandelion root in some individuals. Never use dandelion root for gallstones or a gall bladder case without consulting to doctor, naturopath, or other healthcare professional.
Dandelion is generally believed safe. Dandelion heighten the bile flow. Individuals with an obstruction of the bile ducts should not use dandelion.
Dandelion may also heighten the blood levels of herbs processed by the liver.
Dosage
- Dried herb:
4 to 10 gm or by infusion . Use three times daily.
- Liquid Extract:
1:1 in 25% alcohol, 4 to 10 ml. Use three times daily
- Tincture:
1:5 in 25% alcohol, 2 to 5 ml .Use three times daily
- Juice from young leaf:
5 to 20 ml. Use two times daily .
Drug Interactions
Dandelion root should never be taken in associated with lithium, a medication commonly taken to cure manic depression.
Do not use it if you are currently taking ciprofloxacin, oxfloxacin or levofloxacin, as these drugs and dandelion root are not compatible.
Dandelion should not be used with diuretic drugs and other antihypertensive medications.
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