Dandelion officinalis

Asteraceae – Asteraceae (Compositae).

Popular names: oil flower, cow flower, March bush, milky flower, light flower, air flower.

Parts Used: Herb with root.

Pharmacy name: dandelion (whole plant) – Taraxaci radix cum herba (formerly: Radix Taraxaci cum herba), dandelion root – Taraxaci radix (formerly: Radix Taraxaci).

Botanical description. Extremely resistant and hardy dandelion feels great on any soil. Its powerful taproot, up to 30 cm long, holds it firmly in the ground. Leaves in a basal rosette, 5 to 25 cm long, sharp-shaped, pinnatipartite, with serrated lobes. Hollow peduncles, secreting (like a stem with a root) white milky juice, carry a single golden yellow basket inflorescence. Ripe seeds are equipped with an appendage in the form of a parachute, thanks to which they scatter from the wind over fairly long distances. Blooms in March-April (May). It grows in meadows and fields, in gardens and wastelands, in short – wherever its seeds can be brought. Dandelions grow even between cobblestones.

Collection and preparation. Dandelion must be collected in spring, in April-May. With a spatula or other suitable tool, they dig the root out of the soil, split it and hang it together with the grass (leaf rosette) to dry in a ventilated place. At temperatures up to 40 ° C, you can dry it in the oven.

Active ingredients: vitamins, bitterness, sterol foams and sterols; carotene, flavonoids, tannins and minerals (a lot of calcium), trace elements, also a little essential oil, mucus, fructose, inulin.

Healing action and application.To summarize the healing effects of dandelion, we can say that this plant stimulates the functions of the kidneys and liver, has a beneficial effect on connective tissue, increases blood circulation and, thanks to the combined action of all the substances contained in it, improves the general condition of weakened people. One of the most important uses of dandelion is in the removal of toxins during the course of treatment in spring and autumn, since dandelion promotes excretion processes by activating the function of the kidneys and liver. Whether you buy ready-made dandelion juice in a pharmacy or conduct a course of treatment with your own hand-made dandelion tea, in general, it doesn’t matter. You just need to make sure that this course lasts at least 4-6 weeks. After it you feel really healthy and rejuvenated. Course treatment consists of to drink 2 cups of dandelion tea every day or take 1 tablespoon of dandelion juice. The beneficial effect of dandelion on connective tissue partly explains its action against gout and rheumatism, since in this case we are talking about a metabolic disorder in which connective tissue is damaged. Rheumatic people always feel better after a course of dandelion treatments: the frequency of pain attacks is reduced and the intensity of pain is reduced. Recent studies show that dandelion can be used to influence the growth of gallstones in gallstone disease. If a course of treatment with dandelion is carried out twice a year, there is no new formation of stones or an increase in old ones. True, it does not dissolve existing stones, but with the help of dandelion tea you can “calm” them. and thus relieve colic. o Dandelion tea: 1-2 teaspoons of chopped raw materials pour 1/4 liter of cold water, bring to a boil, boil for 1 minute. Strain after 10 minutes. Finally, the diuretic action of dandelion is sometimes tried to be used when trying to remove small kidney stones by the so-called “water shock”. In this case, dandelion tea is prepared at the rate of 2 tablespoons of raw materials per 1/2 liter of cold water; The mixture is brought to a boil and filtered after 20 minutes. The resulting infusion is then diluted in 1.5 liters of warm water. This amount must be drunk for 15-20 minutes. There is a sharp increase in urination, in which small stones can come out. The German National Health Service recommends biliary and gastrointestinal diseases as possible areas of application for dandelion,

Use in homeopathy. The homeopathic product Taraxacum is given for stomach troubles, loss of appetite, liver and kidney problems with frequent urge to urinate. They also try to treat them with general weakness, dysfunction of the gallbladder and its ducts, stabbing headaches and pain in the eyes. Usually they give the initial tincture 2-3 times every day, 1-3 drops or dilutions of 0, – D 1 , 3-5 (up to 8) drops several times every day.

Application in folk medicine. In folk medicine, dandelion is highly valued, and it is used as described above. Dandelion leaves are also used in salads and as an appetizing condiment for soft cheese. There is a generally accepted opinion about the fixing action of dandelion.

Side effects. Dandelion juice and tea in therapeutic doses do not give any side effects. Fresh stems can cause symptoms of poisoning, especially in babies if they eat a lot of them.

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