Botanical Overview
Taraxacum officinale, commonly known as Dandelion, is a member of the Asteraceae family. It is widely distributed across Europe, North America, and Asia, commonly naturalized worldwide. The parts used medicinally include the root, leaf, and flower. This resilient plant is famed for its bright yellow flowers and deeply lobed leaves.
Energetics
Dandelion exhibits cooling temperature and moistening qualities, with a distinctly bitter and sweet taste profile. Its energetic directionality is predominantly descending, aiding downward flow. Tonically, it is tonifying, and it predominantly influences the qi aspect in traditional energetic frameworks.
Primary Actions
- Choleretic
- Diuretic
- Digestive tonic
- Hepatoprotective
- Mild laxative
- Anti-inflammatory
Indications
Western
- Digestive sluggishness
- Mild constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Mild hepatic congestion
- Fluid retention
- Urinary tract inflammation
Syndromes
- Dyspepsia
- Mild liver dysfunction
- Edema
- Mild cystitis
- Cholelithiasis adjunct
TCM
- Damp-heat signs
- Jaundice
- Swelling
- Sore throat
- Abscesses
Syndromes
- Heat toxin in Liver and Gallbladder channels
- Damp-heat accumulation
- Liver Qi stagnation with heat
Ayurveda
- Pitta disorders
- Jaundice
- Skin eruptions
- Edema
- Urinary disorders
Syndromes
- Pittaja disorders
- Kaphaja edema
- Jaundice (Kamala)
Unani
- Liver enlargement
- Bile disorders
- Urinary problems
- Weak digestion
Syndromes
- Hepatomegaly
- Dyspepsia
- Edema
Constituents & Mechanisms
Dandelion contains a range of phytochemicals including taraxacin, inulin, sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenes, and coumarins, which contribute to its choleretic, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Dosage & Preparations
- Infusion: 2-4 g dried herb per cup, 1-3 times daily
- Tincture: 1:5 in 40% ethanol, 2-5 mL 1-3 times daily
- Decoction of root: 2-6 g daily
Safety & Contraindications
Dandelion is generally safe in traditional doses but may cause allergic reactions in those sensitive to Asteraceae family. Use caution if bile duct obstruction or gallstones are present. Limited safety data for pregnancy and lactation warrant avoiding use in these conditions.
Astrological Correspondences
Taraxacum officinale is traditionally associated with the Moon as its planetary ruler and the Water element, reflecting its moistening and cooling energetic nature.
Selected References
- Taraxacum officinale – dandelion (Plants For A Future)
- Taraxaci officinalis radix et herba (European Medicines Agency, 2017)
- Dandelion (NCCIH, 2020)
- Taraxacum officinale: Herbal Actions and Clinical Use (Matthew Wood, 2008)
- Commission E Monograph: Taraxacum (1998)
- Astrological Herbalism (Nancy Phillips, 2010)