Dandelion
Taraxacum Officinale
Use the whole plant especially the leaves and root
 Dandelion is claimed by countries of both Western Europe and the
Mediterranean as a native plant, but its native origin is Greece.
It can thrive under almost any condition and has spread to nearly
every part of the world. The Latin name Taraxacum is form the Greek
taraxos, meaning disorder and akos meaning remedy.
Dandelion is known by a number of names, among them, Lions Tooth,
Blow Ball, Priest’s Crown, Puffball, Cankerwort, Wild Endive. We
all remember the puffballs that you blow on to release the seeds
that drifted with the breeze before our eyes.
Two great virtues of dandelion are that it is mucilaginous, and it
contains inulin. Together they sooth the digestive tract, encourage
friendly bacteria to thrive and inhibit the growth of unfriendly
bacteria. Inulin is currently being studied extensively because of
its immuno-stimulatory functions.
Dandelion is also an ideally balanced diuretic because of the bitter
flavonoids it contains. It has been used in conditions where there
is water retention due to heart problems or congestive jaundice.
Dandelion has all the nutritive salts that are required for the body
to purify the blood. Dandelion also contains oils and bitter resins
that have a stimulating effect on the liver and kidneys. It can
induce a flow of bile from the liver and is considered one of the
best remedies for hepatitis and cirrhosis. European herbalists have
for years used the juice of the Dandelion root to treat diabetes and
liver diseases.
The Chinese have used Dandelion for thousands of years for the
treatment of breast cancer. Dandelion has been used by herbalists
as a poultice for breast cancer.
Dandelion contains 7,000 units of vitamin A per ounce; much more than
found in carrots.
Uses:
Acne, Abscesses, Age Spots, Anemia, Appetite Stimulant, Arthritis,
Asthma, Bladder, Blisters, Blood Purifier, Blood Cleanser, Blood
Pressure (high), Boils, Bowel inflammation, Breast Cancer, Breast
Tumors, Bronchitis, Cholesterol, Congestion, Constipation, Corns,
Cramps, Dermatitis, Diabetes, Digestive Disorders, Dropsy, Dyspepsia,
Eczema, Endurance, Fatigue, Female Organs, Fevers, Gall Bladder,
Gallstones, Gas, Gout, Hemorrhage, Hepatitis, Hypoglycemia,
Indigestion, Infections (bacterial), Insomnia, Intestines, Jaundice,
Kidney Infections, Lethargy, Liver Disorders, Metabolism (stimulates),
Pancreas, PMS, Psoriasis, Rheumatism, Scurvy, Senility, Skin
Eruptions, Skin Problems, Sores, Spleen, Stamina, Stomach, Ulcers,
Urination, Warts, Water Retention, Weight Loss, Yeast Infections
Sources:
Little Herb Encyclopedia, by Jack Ritchason; N.D., Woodland Publishing Incorporated, 1995
Nutritional Herbology, by Mark Pedersen, Wendell W. Whitman Company, 1998
Planetary Herbology, Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., Lotus Press, 1988
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