The Dandelion
The Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale [Latin]), often called lion’s tooth and wild endive, is a perennial herb native to the northern hemisphere. Dandelions dot the lawns of most North Americans and Europeans, and are more often thought of as a weed and a nuisance to those striving for a well-manicured lawn. Most people don’t know about dandelion’s long history of use in traditional herbal medicine-Native Americans used it to treat kidney disease, indigestion, and heartburn; traditional Arabian medicine prescribed it to treat liver disease; and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses dandelion in combination with other medicines to treat hepatitis and upper respiratory tract infections, including bronchitis and pneumonia.
The medicinal properties of dandelion root and leaf are well known and commonly accepted throughout Europe-the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) recommends dandelion root for indigestion and appetite loss, along with Germany the expert panel known as Commission E recommends products containing dandelion for treatment of liver disorders, appetite loss, indigestion, and fluid retention.
Women that suffer from premenstrual syndrome may find that the diuretic action of dandelion helps relieve the signs of bloating and water gaining weight.
Dandelion flowers also have medicinal properties. They are an excellent source of lecithin, a nutrient that elevates the brain’s acetylcholine, a substance that helps maintain brain function and may play a role in slowing or even stopping the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Lecithin helps as well our body maintain good liver function, so it is no surprise that dandelion is widely recommended by herbalists and naturopathic physicians for liver detoxification. Read More