| This page is a stub. You can help us improve the Materia Medica Wiki by expanding it. |
| Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion) |
 |
| Illustration by Franz Eugen Köhler is in the Public Domain |
|
Table of Contents
|
Other names
Dandelion
蒲公英
Púgōngyīng
pu gong ying
Taraxacum officinale [Weber] ex Wigg.
The Genus and Species name refers to the plant's medicinal use. Taraxacum meaning 'to stir up', and Officinale meaning 'medicinal' [4]
There are two synonyms according to the Catalogue of Life, with "Taraxacum officinale" commonly used as collective name for most of the apomictic species in the genus.[6]
The Chinese Materia Medica uses Taraxacum sinicum Kitag. and Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz as its standard species[1]
Properties
bitter, sweet, cold[1][3]
Tonic [20][28]
Emetic/Purgative [20][22][27]
Laxative [22][26]
Diuretic[30][31][32]
Cholagogue and choleretic[30][31]
Channels entered
JueYin, YangMing (LV/PC, ST/SI)[1][3]
Actions
Clears Heat, Drains Dampness (湿), Disperses Phlegm (痰), Soothes the Liver[1][3]
Indications
For hard masses, inflammation, red eyes, jaundice from Damp-Heat, and Lin syndrome (painful micturition from Damp-Heat),[1][3]
Indolent ulcers, stomachaches and pain, heartburn, sore throats, toothaches and tooth decay[15][17][18][22]
Anemia[16][18][22]
Nervousness[18]
Chest pain when other remedies have failed[25]
Insufficient or difficulty commencing lactation[19]
Constipation[20]
Back pain, kidney trouble, and edema of the legs[21]
Swollen lungs[22]
Testicular trauma[22]
Menstrual cramps[23][24]
Indigestion[29]
Indigenous usage
The Anishinaabeg used a compound infusion of dandelion root to hasten postpartum lactation,[19] and an infusion of dandelion root was taken for heartburn.[25]
The Haudenosaunee used a compound decoction of dried dandelion for pain and sores from bad blood; a compound infusion for back pain,[21] kidney trouble, and edema; they used an infusion with other herbs as a wash for liverspots or dark circles and puffy eyes; an infusion of roots as an emetic; a compound decoction of flowers and leaves as a laxative; a compound decoction of the dried plant for swollen lungs; they chewed the flower stem for worms in the teeth that cause decay; they used a decoction of plants with dandelion or a poultice of smashed dandelion flowers applied to swollen or smashed testicles; and finally the Haudenosaunee used a decoction of plants with dandelion for anemia.[22]
The Keetoowah or Tsalagi made infusions of dandelion to calm the nerves and help blood, and chewed the plant to alleviate toothaches.[18]
The Kiowa used a decoction of young dandelion leaves, and the Tohono O’odham used an infusion of dandelion blossoms to treat menstrual cramps.[23][24]
The Lenapes used dandelion to make a laxative-tonic.[20]
The Meskwaki used an infusion of dandelion root for chest pain when other remedies have failed.[25]
The Mohegan used a compound infusion or decoction taken as a tonic and a strong infusion of dried dandelion leaves were taken as a purgative.[20][27]
The Potawatomi also used the root as a tonic.[28]
The Rappahannocks used an infusion of the root for indigestion.[29]
The Sugpiaq and Unangas peoples made a poultices of steamed or wilted dandelion leaves applied on indolent ulcers, applied on the stomach for stomach aches, or applied to the throat for sore throats.[15]
Posology and method of administration
For indigestion in adolescents, adults, and elderly:
a) comminuted dried root with herb: 3-4 g as a decoction, or 4-10 g as an infusion up to 3 times daily
b) coated tablet, 300 mg dry extract, 2 times daily; or 1-2 coated tablets, 150 mg dry extract each, 3 times daily
c) liquid extract 90 drops (90 drops = 3.15 ml = 3.31 g), 3 times daily
d) liquid extract 35 drops (35 drops = ca. 1 ml = 1 g), 3 times daily
e) expressed juice from fresh flowering Taraxaci radix cum herba single dose 10 ml, 3 times daily[33]
For use as a diuretic in adolescents, adults, and elderly:
a) comminuted dried root with herb, 3-4 g as a decoction, or 4-10 g as an infusion up to 3 times daily[33]
Combinations
Dandelion and Prunella vulgaris (common self-heal, xia ku cao) work well together in the treatment of early stage breast abscesses, in the treatment of swollen sore throats, red swollen eyes, (damp-heat) skin lesions, hepatitis, and cholecystitis.[1]
Dandelion with Patrinia scabiosifolia Fisch. ex Trevir., or Patrinia villosa, also known as Patrinia or bai jiang cao, strongly moves blood and treats stasis from heat-toxins, thereby addressing health issues such as bloating, abdominal pain including menstrual cramps, abdominal masses, jaundice (from damp-heat), and abnormal vaginal discharge involving damp-heat and blood-stasis.[1]
Non-medicinal uses
The young greens make a tasty stir fry with chilii pepper, sichuan peppercorn, and black bean sauce. The flower is also tasty and similar to morels when it's fried in butter. The flower can also be used to make wine, and the whole plant can be used to make beer. The roasted and steeped roots taste similar to coffee.[3][4] The Hesquiaht used dandelion stems to make whistles.[5]
Contraindications, known toxicity, and adverse reactions
Avoid, or use extreme caution, using dandelion with those who have hypersensitivity to plants in the Asteraceae family, i.e. ragweed; those with bile duct obstruction, cholangitis, liver
diseases, gallstones, and active peptic ulcers, or other biliary diseases.[33]
The use of dandelion in patients who have renal failure and/or diabetes, and/or heart failure should be avoided, or used with great caution, because of possible risks of hyperkalemia.[33]
Epigastric pain and hyperacidity may occur.[33]
Be sure to collect in sites away from pesticide/herbicide application.
Because the herb is cold, be cautious using dandelion with those who have insufficient Yang.
Notes on identification:
There are quite a number of species in the Taraxacum family that were used medicinally:
Taraxacum brassicifolium Kitag. (jie ye pu gong ying)
Taraxacum calanthodium Dahlst. (li hua pu gong ying)
Taraxacum californicum Munz & I.M.Johnst. is an endangered species.[2]
Taraxacum ceratophorum (Ledeb.) DC., horned dandelion is quite similar.
Taraxacum erythropodum G.E.Haglund (hong geng pu gong ying)
Taraxacum erythrospermum Andrz. ex Besser
Taraxacum heterolepis Nakai & Koidz. ex Kitag. (yi bao pu gong ying)
Taraxacum platypecidium Diels ex H.Limpr. (he bei pu gong ying)
Not to be confused with:
Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC. ex Wight (tu gong ying)
Elephantopus scaber L. (di dan cao)
Hypochaeris radicata L. also known as False Dandelion, or Cat's Ear, is quite similar. Both Taraxacum officinale and Hypochaeris radicata have similar flowers and form windborne seeds, but Hypochaeris radicata stems are forked and solid, whereas dandelions have unforked hollow stems.
Picris divaricata Vaniot (yun nan mao lian cai)
Research
Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) has some anti-diabetic properties due to its bioactive chemical components; chicoric acid, taraxasterol (TS), chlorogenic acid, and sesquiterpene lactones.[7] meaning it may have some use in treating type II diabetes, but more research is needed.
Taraxacum officinale showed strong pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity in vitro and in vivo[8]
The anti-inflammatory effects of Dandelion is likely from reducing nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PG) E2, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and cycloxygenase (COX)-2reducing nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PG) E2, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and cycloxygenase (COX)-2.[10]
The anit-inflammatory properties of dandelion leaves are likely due to down-regulation of NO, PGE2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduced expressions of iNOS and COX-2 via inactivation of the MAP kinase signal pathway.[11]
Taraxacum officinale contains anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities through its inhibition of NO production and COX-2 expression and/or its antioxidative activity.[9]
Dandelion petals may be useful for diseases associated with oxidative stress by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation and oxidation of protein thiols.[12]
Methanol hydrophobic crude extract (DRE3) of Taraxacum officinale demonstrated the strongest inhibition of microbial growth against Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus and Bacillus cereus strains. [13]
The oligosaccharides of dandelion show high antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, indicating that dandelion-derived oligosaccharides have potential use as antibacterial agents.[14]
Conservation/IUCN/CITES Status
Taraxacum Officinale has not been evaluated (NE) for the IUCN Red List
We should use the appropriate phraseology. Maybe there is a better organisational structure to contents? Please feel free to contribute. :-)