Guest guest Posted September 20, 2002 Report Share Posted September 20, 2002 I guess I need to go out into the backyard and start picking. I would have a much easier time if we would get a reasonable amount of rain. I must say, though, that I usually buy a bag of mixed field greens to mix with lettuce for salads and they contain dandelion greens. Very tasty. Stacey in PA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 http://www.eclecticphysician.com/herbs/dandelion.shtml The Eclectic PhysicianMedicinal Herb Monographs Dandelion Botanical Name Taraxacum officinale Taraxacum officinale(Dandelion) The information on this page compiled by Beth Burch N.D. Index (click on the keywords) IntroductionTaraxacum is known throughout the world and has a long history of use as both food and medicine. The botanical name Taraxacum is from the Greek, taraxos (disorder) and achos (remedy). The common name Dandelion, comes from the French, Dent-de-lion, or teeth of the lion, referring to the tooth-like edges of the leaves. KIng’s American Dispensatory reports its long use in the treatment of disorders of the liver and gallbladder, as well as its diuretic action useful in edema, and mild laxative action in constipation. Dandelion is high in potassium making it useful as a potassium sparing diuretic. Weiss notes its use as a cleansing spring tonic, nutritious and stimulating to the liver and kidneys. Weiss also reports the use of dandelion in the prevention and treatment of gallbladder disease. Modern research has confirmed Dandelion’s ability to enhance the flow of bile and its strong diuretic action. Description Taraxacum is found worldwide, frequenting fields, gardens and yards. A perennial plant, it flowers from April to November. The dark green, hairless, toothed leaves have prominent veins and grow directly from the tap root, as does the hollow flower stalk. The flower is bright yellow. What appear to be petals are actually individual flowers, a characteristic of the compositae family that Dandelion is a member of. Each of the little flowers forms a seed with fluffy bristles allowing the seed to float in the wind to be scattered. The tap root is yellowish or brown and fleshy. The whole plant has a milky white juice and a bitter taste that becomes stronger with age. All parts of the plant are used. Constituents Sesquiterpene lactones Triterpenes and sterols including taroxol, taraxerol and B-sitosterol Phenolic acids including caffeic acid Flavonoids Polysaccharides including glucans, mannans and inulin Carotenoids (higher than carrots)- ~14000 IU per 100 grams Protein Sugar Pectin Choline Potassium- up to 5% Action/Effects Diuretic- leaf has stronger effect (1) Cholegogue (stimulates bile flow) (3) Laxative (2) Digestive bitter (2) Conditions used for Edema, water retention (1) Constipation (2) Digestive disturbances including dyspepsia and loss of appetite (2,3) Dosage Liquid extract- 1-2 teaspoons three times a day Freeze-dried or dried- 300-450 mg three times a day Fresh plant juice- 1 tablespoon twice a day Food Use Young dandelion leaves make an excellent spring green. When young and tender, they are delicious fresh in a salad. In fact, there are cultivated varieties of dandelion sold specifically as greens. Dandelion wine is made from the flowers allowed to ferment with sugar and yeast. An aperitif can be made with the flowers, sugar and vodka for a nice digestive stimulant. Dandelion root can be dried and roasted to be used as a coffee substitute. Side Effects May cause loose stool in large doses. Contraindications Peptic ulcer or gastritis Diarrhea Gallstones Acute inflammation of gastrointestinal tract or gallbladder Allergy to dandelion or related plants Psoriasis Interactions with medications Do not use with other diuretics May interfere with the action of medications that are metabolized in the liver. Use in pregnancy & lactation Safe for use in pregnancy and lactation References 1. Racz-Kotilla E et al, The action of Taraxacum officinale extracts on body weight and diuresis of laboratory animals, Planta Med 1974; 26:212-17 2. Kuusi T et al, The bitterness properties of dandelion, Lebensm-Wiss Tachnol 1985;18:347-49 3. Buhm K, Choleretic action of some medicinal plants, Arzneim-Forsch Drug Res 1959;9:376-78 * The information presented in this web site is intended to inform and educate. It is not intended replace a qualified medical practitioner to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 another recycled thread from Joy from last yr..just in case you missed it.. and dandelions are coming up now for the spring, they are tastiest when young.. From: Joyce Hudson <bjoyful@...>Subject: [ ] Dandelion Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2009, 3:51 PM http://www.eclectic physician. com/herbs/ dandelion. shtml The Eclectic PhysicianMedicinal Herb Monographs Dandelion Botanical Name Taraxacum officinale Taraxacum officinale(Dandelion) The information on this page compiled by Beth Burch N.D. Index (click on the keywords) IntroductionTaraxacum is known throughout the world and has a long history of use as both food and medicine. The botanical name Taraxacum is from the Greek, taraxos (disorder) and achos (remedy). The common name Dandelion, comes from the French, Dent-de-lion, or teeth of the lion, referring to the tooth-like edges of the leaves. KIng’s American Dispensatory reports its long use in the treatment of disorders of the liver and gallbladder, as well as its diuretic action useful in edema, and mild laxative action in constipation. Dandelion is high in potassium making it useful as a potassium sparing diuretic. Weiss notes its use as a cleansing spring tonic, nutritious and stimulating to the liver and kidneys. Weiss also reports the use of dandelion in the prevention and treatment of gallbladder disease. Modern research has confirmed Dandelion’s ability to enhance the flow of bile and its strong diuretic action. Description Taraxacum is found worldwide, frequenting fields, gardens and yards. A perennial plant, it flowers from April to November. The dark green, hairless, toothed leaves have prominent veins and grow directly from the tap root, as does the hollow flower stalk. The flower is bright yellow. What appear to be petals are actually individual flowers, a characteristic of the compositae family that Dandelion is a member of. Each of the little flowers forms a seed with fluffy bristles allowing the seed to float in the wind to be scattered. The tap root is yellowish or brown and fleshy. The whole plant has a milky white juice and a bitter taste that becomes stronger with age. All parts of the plant are used. Constituents Sesquiterpene lactones Triterpenes and sterols including taroxol, taraxerol and B-sitosterol Phenolic acids including caffeic acid Flavonoids Polysaccharides including glucans, mannans and inulin Carotenoids (higher than carrots)- ~14000 IU per 100 grams Protein Sugar Pectin Choline Potassium- up to 5% Action/Effects Diuretic- leaf has stronger effect (1) Cholegogue (stimulates bile flow) (3) Laxative (2) Digestive bitter (2) Conditions used for Edema, water retention (1) Constipation (2) Digestive disturbances including dyspepsia and loss of appetite (2,3) Dosage Liquid extract- 1-2 teaspoons three times a day Freeze-dried or dried- 300-450 mg three times a day Fresh plant juice- 1 tablespoon twice a day Food Use Young dandelion leaves make an excellent spring green. When young and tender, they are delicious fresh in a salad. In fact, there are cultivated varieties of dandelion sold specifically as greens. Dandelion wine is made from the flowers allowed to ferment with sugar and yeast. An aperitif can be made with the flowers, sugar and vodka for a nice digestive stimulant. Dandelion root can be dried and roasted to be used as a coffee substitute. Side Effects May cause loose stool in large doses. Contraindications Peptic ulcer or gastritis Diarrhea Gallstones Acute inflammation of gastrointestinal tract or gallbladder Allergy to dandelion or related plants Psoriasis Interactions with medications Do not use with other diuretics May interfere with the action of medications that are metabolized in the liver. Use in pregnancy & lactation Safe for use in pregnancy and lactation References 1. Racz-Kotilla E et al, The action of Taraxacum officinale extracts on body weight and diuresis of laboratory animals, Planta Med 1974; 26:212-17 2. Kuusi T et al, The bitterness properties of dandelion, Lebensm-Wiss Tachnol 1985;18:347- 49 3. Buhm K, Choleretic action of some medicinal plants, Arzneim-Forsch Drug Res 1959;9:376-78 * The information presented in this web site is intended to inform and educate. It is not intended replace a qualified medical practitioner to diagnose or treat medical conditions. 1 of 1 Photo(s) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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