Dandelion Leaf Tr 1:3 45%

Taraxacum officinale L. fol (Dandelion Leaf) Tr 1:3 45%

Common Name: Dandelion, Pis Enlit

Family: Compositae/Asteraceae

Botanical description Too common to need one. There are probably up to 250 subspecies but they are so similar as not to warrant individual description. It is native to Europe and grows worldwide.

Parts used: Leaf, flower and root. 

History/ Folklore/Taste /Energetics: The leaf is bitter and salty to taste, the root is bitter and sweet; both are cooling bitters. Dandelion and burdock have traditionally been combined to make a cleansing and fortifying tonic beverage. Because the leaves contain so much potassium they are alkalizing, neutralizing acid and acidic emotions. Potassium is also valuable for the heart and blood pressure and dandelion leaf helps to clear the heart of fear and drain it out through the kidneys- this process increases urination rates substantially if there has been a lot of fear and therefore more fluid and salt are needed. The root clears anger and other stagnant emotions from the liver and the bowel and tonifies the liver and pancreas to help us absorb and process emotions and emotional backlogs better.  The yellow flowers have always been considered to be an indication of its value as a liver herb, it is probably that they also show that the plant helps to clear trapped emotional energy and information from the solar plexus. 

Leaf, Vitamin A,B,C and D, Sesquiterpene lactones, Triterpenes, Coumarins, Carotenoids, Minerals especially potassium, Flavonoids

Root, Bitter–taraxacin ,Monohydric acids – taraxasterol and homotaraxasterol, Fatty acids, Sugars, Inulin

Actions:
Leaf, Diuretic, Mild laxative, the root is stronger, Cholagogue, Detoxifier, Bitter, Potassium supplement
Root, Laxative, Mild diuretic, Cholagogue, Anti-rheumatic

Traditional and current uses:

Mild liver tonic, root is stronger

High blood pressure with fluid retention

Water retention for hormonal reasons

Muscular gout and rheumatism, flushes out acid wastes

Infrequent urination

Leaf tea can help to soften gallstones

Potassium supplement for treating heart failure

Liver tonic

Atonic dyspepsia

Constipation

Rheumatism, arthritis and other connective tissue conditions where a detox is required

Hormonal imbalance

Some nervous conditions

Allergies

Catarrhal conditions

Skin problems

The leaves are used fresh as spring tonic salad