Dandelion

By Mary Welty

Dandelion
(Taraxacum Officinale)

Medicinal Part: Plant

Description: The dandelion is a perennial plant found, to the dismay of many, almost everywhere.

Properties and Uses: Aperient, Cholagogue, diuretic, stomachic, tonic. Dandelion has two particularly important uses: to promote the formation of bile and to remove excess water from the body in edemous conditions resulting from liver problems. The root especially affects all forms of secretion and excretion from the body. By acting to remove poisons from the body, it acts as a tonic and stimulant as well.1

I was in my early teens before I discovered that most people considered the dandelion a weed. All I remember is being rousted out of bed extra early on Sunday mornings to collect dandelion leaves in the park, before the sun dried the dew from the leaves. “Only pick the leaves without flowers,” my Godmother would remind us. Dandelion was invariably the main ingredient in the salad for Sunday night dinner.

Dandelion leaves have a wonderful, slightly bitter flavor, and when mixed with more traditional greens such as romaine or iceberg lettuce, add a more robust flavor to the salad. The leaves should be picked before the plant flowers for the best flavor.

Dandelion leaves also make an excellent tea. It is especially useful for flushing excess fluids from the body, but unlike conventional diuretics, dandelion does not leach potassium from the body. Its rich potassium content replaces that which the body looses.2

1. The Herb Book, by John Lust, Benedict Lust Pub., May 1974
2. The New Age Herbalist, Richard Mabey, Michael McIntyre, Pamela Michael, Gail Duff, John Stevens. Collier Books, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1988

M.K. Welty hosts an informational website on herbs, herbal remedies and herbal gardening. For more great tips on Using Herbs and Herbal Gardening visit, http://www.UsingHerbs.Com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Welty

23 thoughts on “Dandelion

  1. Angelina Villaflores

    What is dandelion weed called in pilipino language and where to find it here in metro mla. I want to buy it for my sister in law she has breast cancer and she will get into chemotherapy whenever she complete all d medicine required for her chemo..i want to help her so i wanted to look for this medicinal herb..

  2. tony r. reyes

    where can i buy dandelion capsules….or leaves or roots. my wife needs it. thank you. GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY.

  3. Benedict sarmiento

    Hi. Good morning. I would to ask you were can i buy dandelio in metro manila and the name of the plant in tagalog. Thank yoi

  4. Alexis Albano

    I am inquiring about Dandelion root tea, and/or the whole plant. I believe it can help me. I had been diagnosed with bone cancer. please help!

  5. Rose Ann Alagos

    dandellion in tagalog is amargon plants..i ned buy dandellion capsul i dont know if we have here in philippines.

  6. Filmie Carreon

    Where I can buy dandelion roots my niece have a breast cancer I want to help here please let me know urgent thank you.

  7. Anne Royo

    Please help me. Where we can buy the dandelion herb here in Makati? I have a friend who needs to drink it. He has a kidney and heart problem.

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