Herb Profile: Dandelion

Dandelion is most known as a backyard weed, but it has amazing nutrient quality and health promoting properties. All the parts of the dandelion plant can be used though the roots and leaves are the most commonly used as herbs.

Dandelion Root/Leaf

According to Mountain Rose Herbs: “Its leaves and root contain substantial levels of vitamins A, C, D, and B complex as well as iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon. In almost every herbal healing tradition, the root of the dandelion has been used for the treatment of a variety of liver and gallbladder problems.”

“Dandelions are through to correct the physiological reactions triggered by intense emotions that cause eyestrain or red, swollen, and painful eyes. They are used in teas and poultices for abscesses and sores, especially on the breast. They promote lactation and clear painful urinary dysfunction.”

“Typically used as tea or tincture. Chopped dandelion root rather than dandelion root powder is most often used to make teas combining dandelion and other herbs. Dandelion root powder is used when diuretic effect is emphasized. Chopped dandelion root can be combined with myrrh to make a poultice for boils and abscesses, with honeysuckle flowers to make a tea to be drunk to treat boils and abscesses, with skullcap and/or chrysanthemum flowers to make a tea to be drunk to treat sore eyes, or with heal-all to treat hard phlegm in bronchitis. Can also be administered in capsule or extract form for convenience.”

According to the How To Herb Book Dandelion is:

• One of the best blood purifiers and builders available.
• High in vitamins and minerals, especially calcium.
• Contains all the nutritive salts for the blood. Dandelion restores and balances the blood so anemia that is caused by deficiencies of these blood salts disappears.
• The herb for low blood pressure, helps build energy and endurance.
• Overweight people when losing weight can become over acidic. These acids in the blood are destroyed by dandelion.
• One of the best liver cleansers. It increases the activity of the liver and the flow of bile into the intestines.
• It is fantastic for use in hepatitis.
• Increases activity of the pancreas and the spleen.
• Good for the female organs.
• Helps open urinary passages.
• Used to treat skin diseases.

To Use: “Dandelion root and leaf are mildly chloretic, that is, an agent for stimulating the release of bile from the liver into the gallbladder. The herb is used to support treatment of a variety of liver and gallbladder disorders, especially the incomplete digestion of fats. The release of bile is laxative, and accelerates the breakdown of various steroid hormones, causing an indirect, favorable effect on eczema and other skin conditions. Dandelion root also is one of the best herbal diuretics. It stimulates urination but also replaces the potassium lost to the increased volume of urine.” It can be used in teas or tinctures and is often used in herbal coffee replacements.

Notes: Check with your doctor before using this or any herb, especially if you have a liver or gallbladder disorder.

Ever used dandelion? How did you use it?

Print PDF