Scientific name: Taraxacum officinale Weber
Description:
Dandelion is a tap-rooted biennial or perennial herb native to Europe and Asia.
The leaves are 5–25 cm long or longer and arranged in rosette fashion around the central taproot. A rosette may produce several flowering stems at a time and each ending in a single flowering head. The flower heads are yellow to orange color and when broken it gives out a milky sap (latex). Upon maturity, the flower head is replaced by a white puffball containing many single-seeded fruits called “achenes”. Each “achene” is attached to an umbrella-like tuft of hairs.
When picking dandelions it is advisable to gather the whole plant when it is about to bloom, and the taproots around the colder months.
Health Benefits:
Dandelion leaves are believed to have a diuretic effect since they increase salt and water excretion from the kidneys. They also contain abundant amounts of vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamins A, C and K, and are good sources of calcium, potassium, iron and manganese. The leaves are a significant source of beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. Dandelion leaves may also normalize blood sugar.
Dandelion flowers contain an antioxidant called luteolin.
Parts Used:
Whole plant or taproots (fresh or sun-dried)
Indications and Directions for use:
1. Otitis media
Pound the fresh plant until the sap is extracted. Use this sap as eardrops. A few drops of sap a day is recommended.
2. Mastitis
Pound the dried dandelion taproot until it becomes a fine powder. Add Vaseline or a pasty plaster (1:1 proportion) to the powder. Rub the ointment over the affected area.
To make the pasty plaster:
Gather fresh dandelion plant and pound it or put in a food processor until a paste is created.
3. Warts /Scalds
Cut the end of the dandelion for the milk sap to come out. Apply the sap on the wart twice or thrice a day. Rub the sap over the scalded area.
4. Mumps.
Pound fresh plant and add egg white and a little amount of sugar to create a paste.
5. Kidney, gallbladder, and liver problems.
You will need dried herbs or roots in 1 quart of water. Boil for 30 min. Drink every 3 hours.
6. Gastric and duodenal ulcers.
After each meal take a teaspoon of the finely powdered, dried taproot, orally. Take it with a glassful of water.
THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED & TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.