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Dandelion
The dandelion is a perennial herb found growing wild in meadows, pastures,
and waste ground throughout the northern hemisphere. It is known by its botanical
name, Taraxacum officinale, but is also known as lion’s tooth, priest’s crown,
and swine’s snout. Although the dandelion is a common herb, it has been used
as an alternative herbal therapy for centuries by a wide variety of group that
includes Native American tribes, Arabian physicians, and European folk medical
practitioners.
The dandelion has a long, thick, tap root which is dark brown on the outside
but white and milky on the inside. It contains long, jagged leaves that rise
directly from the root to form a basal rosette. The leaves lie close to the
ground with each leaf being grooved in a way so that it collects rain to the
center of the rosette and consequently to the root. In the early spring, the
dandelion produces hollow scapes which are then terminated by the appearance
of solitary heads of yellow ligulate florets. These florets are surrounded by
two rows of involucral bracts in which the inner ones are erect with the surrounding
outer ones spreading. Once these flowers have faded, the head turns into ball
of long, ribbed spiny achenes that contain a pappus of white hairs at the end
of a long stem. The medicinal properties of the dandelion are contained within
in its root, its flowering stems, its young leaves, and in its flowerheads.
Dandelion has been used as an herbal medical treatment for centuries for a
variety of health conditions. The Iroquois used it to treat kidney disease,
dropsy, and dermatological problems; the Ojibwe used it to treat heartburn;
the Rappahannock used it to treat dyspepsia; the Bella Coola used it to treat
stomach pain; British herbalists used it to treat it kidney and liver problems;
and Indian physicians also use dandelion in the treatment of liver related diseases.
It is effective as a diuretic, tonic, and slight aperient that can be used as
a general health stimulant. Currently, dandelion is predominantly used to treat
liver and kidney disorders. Additionally, dandelion aids in the purification
of the blood and is used as a stimulation of diuresis. It contains a number
of digestive enzymes and can act as a laxative. Consequently, dandelion is an
effective treatment in increasing liver, pancreas, and spleen activity. Dandelion
also aids in the stimulation of the body’s production of insulin and consequently
is effective to individuals with gout. Also, dandelion is high in natural sodium
which is able to provide relief to individuals afflicted with ulcers and arthritis.
Dandelion has also been cited as an effective treatment to individuals afflicted
with scurvy, scrofula, and eczema.
Dandelion is available in a number of different forms for herbal treatment.
If used directly as a cut or powdered root, the recommended dosage is 3 to 4
grams taken three times per day. If used as a decoction, the recommended dosage
is 3 to 4 grams of root boiled in 150 ml of water. If used as an infusion, the
recommended dosage is 1 tablespoon of dandelion root in 150 ml of water. As
a tincture, the recommended dosage is 10 to 15 drops of dandelion taken three
times per day.
Although dandelion contains no toxic properties and there are no significant
side effects attached to its use, it is recommended that individuals with gallstones
receive approval from their doctor before using dandelion as a treatment. Additionally,
as dandelion contains bitter properties it may cause mild discomfort due to
gastric hyperacidity.
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