Taraxacum officinale - Dandelion

Description

Familiar to most people, dandelion is a perennial herb with basal rosettes (15 - 22.5 cm long, 5 - 7.5 cm broad) with 5-6 teeth on a side and sessile. The flower head is compound, golden-yellow, and closes at night. It is native to Europe and has naturalized in North America.

Parts Used

Root, sometimes latex.

Constituents

Dandelion roots include: inulin (approx. 25% variable throughout year), triterpenes (taraxol, taraxerol, taraxasterol, beta-amyrin, homotaraxasterol), phytosterols (stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol), phenolic acids (caffeic and p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid), sesquiterpene lactones of eudes-manolide type (tetrahydroridentin B and taraxacolide) and germacranolide type (taraxinic acid and 11,13-dihydrotaraxinic acid glucoside; bitter tasting subtances)glutin, gum and potash.(1)

Dandelion leaves contain: leutin, violaxamthin and other carotenoids; sesquiterpene lactones (germacramolides taraxinic acid glucoside and 11,13-dihydrotaraxinic acid; triterpenes (cycloartenol) and phytosterols (beta-sitoserol, stigmasterol and campesterol); coumarins (scopoletin and euculetin); and minerals, especially potassium.(4%)

Dandelion contains (per 100 gm): Vitamin A (8400 IU), thiamine (0.19 mg), riboflavin (0.26 mg), Vitamin C (35 mg root, 73 mg leaves), niacin and choline, calcium (187 mg), phosphorus (66 mg), sodium (76 mg), potassium (297 mg), protein (2.7 g), fats (0.7 g) and iron (3.1 mg).(2-7) In the spring, the plant contains mannite or mannitol.(8)

Mode of Action

Even though this plant is extremely common and was once an official drug, little information is available on its mode of action. Dandelion leaves have diuretic and saluretic action better than the root. They also deliver a good supply of potassium, useful with a diuretic. Dandelion root is known to be an excellent blood cleanser, specifically for the liver, as well as a mild laxative. Inulin, one of the major chemicals in Dandelion, is currently being studied extensively for its immunostimulatory function (see Echinacea). Inulin is also used to strengthen the kidneys and as a pancreatic aid. Some studies have indicated a hypoglycemic effect of Dandelion. It is active against two tumor systems and stimulates macrophage action.(9) This may explain the Chinese use of Dandelion for breast cancer over thousands of years, as well as the alterative properties European herbalists attribute to this herb..The latex is known to be phototoxic with a weak antibiotic effect against Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The latex has also been shown to be very effective for removing warts and is presently under study for its effects on eczema and psoriasis. The Chinese use the seeds as a strong antibiotic in the cases of lung infections.(10-12) Bitter sesquiterpenes increase bile secretions in rats by more than 40%. Dandelion has a long tradition of being used for rheumatic conditions and to reduceinflamations.(13)

Therapeutic Action

Hepatic, alterative, diuretic, tonic, stomachic, aperient, deobstruent. In China the seeds are used as an antibiotic.(14)

Energetics

Traditional Chinese

A related species, T. mongolici, has bitter, sweet and cold properties while entering the Liver and Stomach meridians. It clears heat and detoxifies fire poisons.(15-16)

Ayurvedic

Rasa - tikta (bitter), katu (pungent); Guna - laghu (light), rookshna, teekshna; Veerya - ushna (hot); Vipak - katu (pungent). Action: Kapha pitta har, bran sodhan, dipan, pitta sarak, rochan, rakkt sodhak, sothahar, mutral, jawaraghana, vishaghan.(17)

Other

Holmes lists Dandelion as being bitter, a bit salty, sweet with cold and dry properties. The secondary quality softening, dissolving, restoring, decongesting, and calming sinking movement. Dandelion enters the Spleen, Liver, and Gall Bladder meridians and influences the liver, gall bladder, spleen, pancreas, intestines, kidneys, interstitial fluid, and blood. The organism is fluid, warmth and air. The Tri Doshas increases Vayu while decreasing Pitta and Kapha.(18) Tierra describes the root as bitter, sweet and cool affecting the Spleen, Stomach, Kidney and Liver meridians.(19) The root meanwhile has bitter and cold properties affecting the bladder and liver.(20)

Folklore

Being a general stimulant and alterative, Dandelion`s strongest influence is on the liver and kidneys. It is considered one of the strongest cholagogues of all botanicals. It has also been used as a high nutrient food, applied in cases of dyspepsia, as a mild laxative, to increase appetite and promote digestion.(21,22) The latex is excellent for getting rid of warts (apply 3 times daily for seven days).(23)

Dandelion was used by Arabian physicians in the 10th-11th centuries. It was mentioned in Welsh herbals in the 13th century. It is prominent in Gerard`s Herbal (1597) appearing throughout herbals from the 16th to 18th centuries. Eclectics of the 1800`s and the early 1900`s also listed Dandelion as a major herb.(24) This genus has been listed in Chinese medicine since the Tang Materia Medica (659 AD). It has had a significant history of use in Ayurvedic medicine also. Dandelion appears in the ethnobotanical literature of over a dozen North American Indian tribes, even as far afield as the Aleuts of Alaska. Its application is very broad but dermatological, analgesic and gastrointestinal problems seem to be prominent uses.(25)

Dosage

Capsules - 1-2, 2-3 times daily.
Infusion -1 oz. per pint (1 cup)
Fluid extract BP -1/2-2 drams (1.8 - 7.2 ml)
Solid extract BP- 5-15 grains
Juice BP - 1-2 drams (26,27) (3.6 - 7.2 ml)

Toxicity and Contraindications

Contraindicated if: closure or obstruction of the biliary duct, gallbladder empyema, ileus.

Official Regulations and Medical References

British Pharmaceutical Codex 1934
U.S.P.
Martindale
UK - General Sales List, Schedule 1, Table A
France - Accepted for specific indications No 90/22
German - Commission E ;1984
PDR for Herbal Medicine - p. 1174
ESCOP - March 1996

References

1. List, P.H. and Horhammer, J.M., Hager`s Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, Vols 2-6, Berlin 1968 - 79 via Duke.
2. Leung, A.Y., Encyclopedia of common natural ingredients used in food, drugs, and cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York, 1980. p. 153.
3. Youngken, H.W., Textbook of Pharmacognosy, Blakiston, Toronto, 1950. p. 895.
4. Wallis, T.E., Textbook of Pharmacognosy, J & H Churchill, London, 1967. p. 408.
5. Spoerke, D.G., Herbal Medications, Woodbridge Press Publ. Co., Santa Barbara CA, 1980. p. 67.
6. The British Pharmaceutical Codex 1934. The Pharmaceutical Press, London, 1934. p. 1039.
7. Bradley, P.R. (Ed.), British Herbal Compendium, Vol. 1, British Herbal Medicine Association, Bournemouth, UK, 1992, p. 76
8. Duke, J.A., Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, CRC Press Inc., Boca Raton FL, 1985, p. 476.
9. Baba, K., Abe, S., et al., Antitumor activity of hot water extract of dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, correlation between antitumor activity and timing of administration, Yakugaku Zasshi 101(6), 538 -543, 1981.
10. Leung, A.Y., Encyclopedia of common natural ingredients used in food, drugs, and cosmetics, Ibid.
11. Spoerke, D.G., Herbal Medications, Ibid.
12. Duke, J.A., Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Ibid., p. 476.
13. Leung, A.Y.,Ibid.
14. Leung, A.Y., Ibid.
15. Bensky, D. and Gamble, A., Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Eastland Press, Seattle, WA, 1986, p. 129-130.
16. Hsu, H.Y., Chen, Y.P., et al., Oriental Materia Medica: a concise guide, Oriental Healing Arts Institute, Long Beach, CA, 1986, p. 237-238.
17. Kapoor, L.D., CRC Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1990, p. 316.
18. Holmes, P., The Energetics of Western Herbs (2 vols.), Artemis Press, Boulder CO, 1989, p. 580-581.
19. Tierra, M., Planetary Herbology, Lotus Press, Santa Fe, NM, 1988, p. 193-194.
20. Tierra, M., Ibid., p. 218.
19. The British Pharmaceutical Codex 1934. Ibid.
20. Wallis, T.E., Textbook of Pharmacognosy, Ibid.
21. Wren, R.C., Potter`s New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations, Health Science Press, Rustington, Sussex, U.K., 1975. p. 106.
22. The Merck Index 5th ed., Merck & Co. Inc., Rahway NJ, 1940, p. 317.
23. Willard, T.W., personal experience.
24. Crellin, J.K. and Philpott, J., Herbal Medicine: Past and Present (Vol. II), Duke University Press, London, 1990, p. 185-187.
25. Moerman, D.E., Medicinal Plants of Native America, University of Michigan Museum of Anthropology, Technical Reports, Number 19, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1986, Vol.1, p. 475.
26. The British Pharmaceutical Codex 1934. Ibid. p. 1040.
27. Martindale: The Extra Pharma-copeia, Ibid.