DANDELION
taraxacum leontoden
taraxacum officinale

PARTS USED
flowers, leaves, roots, and stems

Dandelion leaf is a very powerful diuretic,
its action comparable to that of the drug `Frusemide'.
Unlike the drug Dandelion does not drain the body
of vital potassium while acting as a diuretic.
Dandelion is one of the best sources of natural potassium.

For water retention it may be used with Couchgrass or Yarrow.

Preparations & Dosage
Decoction put 2-3 teaspoonfuls of the root into one cup of water,
bring to boil and gently simmer for l0-l5 minutes.
This should be drunk three times a day.

The leaves may be eaten raw in salads.

Tincture take 5-l0 ml of the tincture three times a day.

This herb helps one to see farther without a pair of spectacles.
This is known by foreign physicians who are not so selfish as ours,
but more communicative of the virtues of plants to people.
A well-known plant which barely requires description.
It is known to the vulgar as Piss-a-Beds, which is due no doubt
to its diuretic property.
The root grows down exceedingly deep and if broken off
within the ground it will shoot forth again.

Where to find it:
A troublesome weed all over the world in meadows, pastures and gardens.

Flowering time: Throughout the year.
Astrology: It is under the dominion of Jupiter.

Medicinal virtues:
It has an opening and cleansing quality and, therefore,
very effectual for removing obstructions of the liver,
gall bladder and spleen and diseases arising from them, such as jaundice.
It openeth the passages of the urine both in young and old and will
cleanse ulcers in the urinary tract.
For this purpose the decoction of the roots or leaves
in white wine, or the leaves used as pot herbs are very effectual.
It is of wonderful help in cachexia, the severe wasting condition in severe illness.
It also procures rest and sleep in those with fever.
The distilled water can be drunk in pestilential fever and he used
as a wash for the sores.
This common herb hath many virtues, which is why
the French and Dutch eat them so often in the spring.

Modern uses:
Bile production by the liver and urinary output from the kidneys
is increased with the use of this herb.
As a diuretic, it is superior to many produced synthetically
by pharmaceutical companies.
The leaves are particularly strong, being equivalent to frusemide,
a drug used to treat hypertension.
The dried herb contains significant amounts of potassium, which people
on long-term diuretic therapy need.
Modern herbalists, therefore, have a safe, but powerful remedy,
not only for hypertension but also for cardiac oedema,
hepatogenic dropsy and water retention, due to stasis or congestion
in the blood vessels serving the liver.
The diuretic effect of Dandelion is helpful in the treatment of a number
of other conditions, particularly chronic disorders
like rheumatisrn, gout and eczema.
A fluid extract is available from herbalists and the recommended dose
is between one and two teaspoonfuls three times a day.
The dried root taken in the form of a decoction is a powerful liver tonic
- 1 oz (28 g) of the root is boiled in 2 pt (1.1 l) of water until the mixture
is reduced to 1 pt (568 rnl).
The dose is two to four teaspoonfuls three or four times a day.
A Dandelion coffee made from the roasted roots is available from health stores.
The fresh, clean young leaves can be added to salads in spring.


ACTIONS
CONDITIONS
CULINARY

MAGICAL PROPERTIES
Medicinal Properties

Trace Minerals


SOURCE
"A modern Herbal"

Magdalin


Education purposes and to assist you in making informed decisions
with what you choose to use as herbal remedies.


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