Latin Name
Taraxacum officinale

General Description
Long before the European colonists introduced dandelion to the native population of North America, the herb had an established niche in the Chinese and Ayurvedic medical traditions of Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Dandelion acts as a natural diuretic while also supplying potassium, a nutrient often lost through diuretic use. The plant is rich in vitamins A and C; antioxidants that are believed to help prevent cancer. The young leaves can be eaten fresh or used in herbal preparations.

Target Ailments

• Poor digestion, gallbladder problems, inflammation of the liver and disorders such as congestive heart failure and high blood pressure that require diuretic treatment.
  
• As a supplemental diuretic, dandelion may help relieve symptoms associated with high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, premenstrual syndrome, menstrual pain and general joint pain.

Preparations
Over the counter:
Available in tinctures, prepared tea, capsules and dried or fresh leaves or roots.

At home:
Tea: 1 tbsp. dried or 2 tsp fresh leaves per cup of boiling water steeped for 10 minutes.
Decoction: 1 tbsp. fresh or dried root per cup of watersimmered for 15 minutes.
Nutrition and diet: Fresh leaves added to a salad, or blended in a juicer with other green vegetables. Used with barberry for liver and gallbladder problems. Used with yarrow for water retention.

Special Information

• If any of the following conditions apply, use dandelion only in consultation with a professional herbalist or naturopath: pregnancy, heart condition, or inflamed stomach or colon. Consult an herbalist if you plan to use the herb longer than two or three months.
  
• Use low-strength preparations for adults over 65 and children between the ages of 2 and 12. Do not give to children younger than 2.
  
• See also Diuretics.