DANDELION ROOT
Botanical: Taraxacum officinale
Family: Compositae (daisy) - Asteraceae (aster) Other common names: Bitterwort, Pissabed, Lion’s Tooth, Priest’s Crown, Telltime, Puffball, Cankerwort, Blow Ball, Swine Snout, White Endive, Wild Endive, Irish Daisy, Doonheadclock, Yellow Gowan, Clock Flower, Fortuneteller

Potassium-rich Dandelion has been called the "free health food pharmacy" that grows everywhere! Both leaves and roots are considered to be a superior natural diuretic, fine blood cleanser and excellent tonic, that can help detoxify the system, especially the liver and gallbladder. For an overall feeling of good health and improved mobility, you'll want to add this "wondrous weed" to your herbal regimen.

History:
Dandelion wins the prize as the world’s most famous weed pest when it grows in manicured lawns and gardens, but the botanical name (Taraxacum officinale) of this wonderful wildflower means "the official remedy for disorders,” and thought to be derived from the Greek words taraxos, meaning “disorder” and akos, meaning “remedy.” Since ancient times the entire plant (stems, flower, leaves and root) has lived up to its name and has been used for healing and dietary purposes. The English name, Dandelion, is apparently derived from the French, dent de leon, meaning “lion’s tooth,” because the shape of the leaves resemble the shape of a lion’s tooth. Dandelion may be distinguished from other similar-looking herbs because of its hollow, leafless stems that contain a bitter milky-white liquid, which is also found in the root (most potent) and leaves. The dark green Dandelion leaves are irregularly shaped with jagged margins and hairless mid-rib. The magenta-tinged leaves are arranged in a rosette pattern and may grow to a foot and a half in length. The compact, golden-yellow Dandelion blossoms are singular and round, blooming from early spring until well into autumn and reaching up to eight inches in height. Dandelion is a perennial that is believed to be a native of Greece, but grows spontaneously in most parts of the globe, thriving (with its deep, tenacious roots) under almost any conditions. Earliest mention of Dandelion is obscure, although many say Pliny (A.D. 23-79) wrote about it. The Chinese recorded its use in herbal medicine in A.D. 659 and have been using it in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat breast cancer for at least one thousand years. Interestingly, today's research has shown that Dandelion has worked effectively against two malignant growth systems, stimulating macrophage action, and possibly demonstrating some potential in the area of cancer research - and echoing its use in Traditional Chinese Medicine for this disease during the last thousand years. Arabian physicians of the tenth and eleventh centuries spoke of its nutritive value, and in Europe, it was noted in Welsh medicines of the thirteenth century and mentioned in the Ortus Sanitatis of 1485. Dandelion was purposely introduced from Europe into North America by the early colonists who regarded it as an important part of their herbal medicines and diets. Native Americans soon found the flower equally important, using it as a tonic and physic (the Mohegan tribe), for heartburn (the Ojibwas) and for chest pains (Meskwakis). Dandelion was included in the British Pharmaceutical Codex and United States Dispensatory from 1831 through 1926, and in the National Formulary until 1965. The dried root of Dandelion is listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia. Traditionally, in Europe and America, Dandelion was used as a favorite spring health tonic and is cultivated in India as a liver remedy.  In Germany, there is an over-the-counter preparation containing this common weed that has been found effective against gallstones. It is also listed in over-the-counter treatments in Canada, France and the United Kingdom. Other interesting uses for Dandelion have included the flower in a yellow dye, the leaves in a purple dye, the young leaves in a healthy salad, the flowers in wine and as a garnish in food, and the ground root as a tasty, healthy caffeine-free coffee substitute. Some of Dandelion's chemical constituents include bitter glycosides, carotenoids, terpenoids, choline, lecithin (believed to protect against cirrhosis of the liver), tannins, sterols, essential oil, gluten, gum, saponin and fructose-oligosaccharide inulin (a food fiber that is a sort of sugar-replacing starch, widely distributed in other plants and constituting an important part of the world's diet).  Dandelion is a nutritive and a wealth of vitamins A, C, D, several B-vitamins and vitamin P.  Rich in iron and other important minerals, including boron, calcium, silicon, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium and zinc, Dandelion is also an exceptional source of potassium salts. The root also includes asparagin.

Beneficial Uses:
Dandelion Root is considered a superior and potent diuretic (even to synthetic products) that increases urine flow, rids the body of excess water and helps to relieve bloated feelings. The high level of potassium in Dandelion is important, because large amounts of potassium are lost in the urine and too often flushed from the body when synthetic diuretics are used.

Potassium-rich Dandelion is said to help promote healthy heart function. The potassium works with sodium to regulate the body's water balance and normalize heart rhythms. 

Dandelion may lower cholesterol and high blood pressure due to its diuretic action in ridding the body of excess fluid, thereby reducing the amount of fluid the heart must pump to circulate blood.

Dandelion Root is considered a fine liver tonic that is also said to promote healthy gallbladder, pancreas and spleen function. It affects all forms of secretion and excretion from the body and is a gentle cleansing agent with almost a specific affinity for the liver and modifies and increases the secretions, removing excess water from the body in edemous conditions that could result from liver problems. Herbal healers use Dandelion to strengthen the liver and treat liver disorders. The herb is thought to promote the flow of bile and ease such conditions as hepatitis, inflammation of the liver, jaundice (caused by excess bile in the blood) and liver enlargement. By promoting the flow of bile from the liver, Dandelion is said to be helpful when used in the first stages of cirrhosis of the liver.

Dandelion Root and Leaves are known for keeping the internal organs clean and clear. Herbalists treat kidney ailments with Dandelion, and it is also thought to improve gallbladder function, possibly even preventing gallstones (in Germany, the over-the-counter “ Hepatichol” is said to be proven effective against gallstones).

Dandelion Root and Leaves are an excellent nutritive and a valuable source of sodium, minerals (especially potassium), large amounts of vitamins A, C and D, B-vitamins and trace elements. 

The roots are sometimes used as a healthy coffee substitute or as an addition to coffee. In fact, some claim that it acts as an antidote to any of coffee's possible detrimental effects on the body and maybe especially helpful in cases of dyspepsia.

European herbalists regard Dandelion as one of the best herbs for building the blood and relieving anemic conditions. Anemia is caused by deficiency of proper nutrients in the blood, and iron-rich Dandelion is one of its oldest, best-known remedies.

Dandelion Root promotes good digestion by invigorating the functions of the digestive organs and stimulating the circulation of blood to the entire body. This herb tonic is used for problems in the digestive organs and is said to relieve acute stomachaches.

For treating nagging, toxic conditions, including gout, joint inflammations, chronic arthritis, chronic rheumatism, swelling and stiff joints, Dandelion Root is said to be ideal, because it flushes toxins from the system, rids the body of excess water and salt and is believed to reduce uric acid. Dandelion may help reduce stiffness and increase mobility in situations of chronic degenerative joint disease.

Moreover, this purifying and flushing action is also believed to help clear skin problems, including acne and psoriasis.

The inulin content in Dandelion Root is thought to be an “immuno-stimulant,” boosting the function of the immune system and stimulating macrophage action to surround and digest invasive infection and serious malignant disease.

Dandelion Root may be helpful in cases of osteoporosis.  It is a rich source of boron, which is thought to raise estrogen levels in the blood, thus helping to preserve bone. The herb is also a rich source of calcium and silicon, both of which are also believed to strengthen bone.

**Provided itself beneficial in research that involved people, endorsed by Germany’s Commission E for Therapeutic use, Bladder Stones, Bronchitis, Gallbladder Problems, Gas, Indigestion, Kidney Stones, Lack of Appetite, Liver Dysfunction, Pneumonia, Respiratory Problems, Urinary Tract Infections

*Provided itself beneficial in research that did not involve people, the study could have been done in a test tube, petri dish or animals for Therapeutic use, Colds, Gas, Lack of Urination, Osteoporosis

Contraindications:
None


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Disclaimer:The information presented herein by Organic Herbs Medicine Cabinet is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.