Dandelion Leaf and Root
Dandelions have different meanings in each of our lives. For some they are an annoying, pesky weed. For others they are nostalgic memories of blowing the cloudy seeds into the wind, and for Herbalists, they are the misunderstood and well adored pride of the lawn. Like many “weeds” these herbs originated in temperate, subarctic Eurasia and were adapted to disturbed habitats as their population quickly spread. These plants have been used in many ancient societies for it’s many healing and nourishing properties. Taxarcum is the perfect first aid plant and for years it’s nutrient and mineral density have saved a countless number of early humans from nutrient deficiencies.
Botanical Names: Taraxacum officinal
Family: Asteraceae
Parts Used: Leaf, root and flowers
Therapeutic Category: Mild remedy with minimal chronic toxicity
Constituents: bitter glycosides, bitter resin taraxacerin, phytosterols, fatty acids, tannins, essential oils, triterpenes, inulin, levulin, saponin, enzyme, citric acid, silicic acid, minerals, carotenoids, levulose, glutin, gum, vitamins A, C, choline, niacin, mannite.
Energetics: bitter, somewhat salty and sweet, cold, dry, softening, dissolving, restoring, decongesting, calming, sinking.
Actions: anti-inflammatory, antiviral, digestive stimulant, hepatic detoxicant, liver trophorestorative, diuretic, antidyscratic detoxicant, cholagouge, regulatory detoxicant, immunostimulant, refrigerant, gastric stimulant
Tropism: liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, intestines, kidneys, interstitial fluids, blood
Preparations and Dosage:
The root is best prepared through decoction or tincture using fresh or dried root. The leaves are best prepared by fresh juice, infusion, or tincture of fresh or freshly dried leaves. Dandelion is a detoxicant in all doses, larger doses are used for cooling and draining whereas smaller doses are suitable for restoring.
Dosages for Root:
Decoction: 6-16 g
Tincture: 2-5 ml at 1:2 strength in 35% ethanol
Dosage for Leaves and Flowers:
Juiced 10-20 ml three times a day, otherwise use standard doses.
Cautions and Contraindications: Larger doses may cause minor loose stools, heartburn and nausea. Contraindicated in gastric inflammation as it is a gastric stimulant.
Topical use: Topically, the latex of the stems can be applied directly to warts. Can be brewed into a bath since the high vitamin and mineral content of dandelion can help to clear and cleanse skin as well as strengthen hair and nourish the scalp.
Nutrition: Dandelion Leaf is much higher in potassium and mineral content than dandelion root making the leaves a much stronger diuretic. All parts of the plant are nutritious, mineral dense, and contain vitamins A, C, choline, niacin, and phytonutrients.
Dandelion’s Relationship to Hot Conditions
Taxarcum as a cooling plant is mainly used to clear, resolve or dispel heat. The energetics of Taxarcum work in promoting detoxification, clearing damp heat, reducing inflammation, drains water, reduces blood congestion and relieves coughing and wheezing.
What is a hot condition?
A hot condition in the body is associated with inflammation, redness, and swelling. A physical manifestation of a hot condition can be an inflamed itchy rash, swollen glands, redness, boils, or abscesses. Internally, we can characterize this condition by fevers, thirst, irritability, or hot flashes.
Relationship to Digestion
Taxarcum is mainly used as a bitter digestive stimulant, liver trophorestorative, and diuretic because it’s bitter taste stimulates digestive fluids like bile, gastric enzymes and pancreatic enzymes. Before many people understood how deficiencies worked in the human body, Taxarcum was the go to digestive bitter or infusion since it’s relationship and affinity to human digestion and microbial maintenance can be felt on a much deeper level than just physical. I’d encourage anyone to live with Taxarcum as a daily tonic for a week and record what you notice.