Dandelion

Dandelion is a perennial plant with a thick base, a long, fusiform, reddish-brown root that is the width of a finger. The leaves, arranged in a rosette shape at the base of the plant, are deeply divided with serrated and pointed lobes, in a vibrant green. The yellow flowers, visible from May to November, are grouped into large terminal capitula at the end of the peduncles. All of the fruits together form a light downy ball whose pappi fly away with the first gusts of wind.

Latin name

Taraxacum officinale Weber

Origin

Western Europe.

Used part

The root.

Active components

Inulin: a polysaccharide with a prebiotic effect. Contributes to the health of the intestinal flora.

Phenolic compounds: have an antioxidant effect.

Bitter substances: stimulate the function of the liver and the digestive system.

Usage

Many gardeners and lawn owners consider dandelion a weed. It can be used as animal food. The flowers can simply be cooked as a syrup and eaten like honey. The young leaves are less bitter than the adult leaves and can be eaten in a salad. The leaves can be blanched by covering them with sand or an upturned flower pot. This process will make them less bitter. Dandelions are also commonly known as “wet the beds”, a name that refers to the effect of the plant. It contributes to kidney function and stimulates detoxification. _1-3 Thanks to the antioxidants, it protects against free radicals. _10,11

Bibliographical references

Assessment report on Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wigg., radix cumherba
Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC)
EMA/HMPC/212897/2008
EMA:http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_-_HMPC_assessment_report/2011/03/WC500102972.pdf
Evaluation of Dandelion for Diuretic Activity andVariation in Potassium Content
I. Hook, A. McGee and M. Henman
1993, Vol. 31, No. 1 , Pages 29-34
The action of Taraxacum officinale extracts on the bodyweight and diuresis of laboratory animals.
Rácz-Kotilla E, Rácz G, Solomon A.
Planta Med. 1974 Nov;26(3):212-7.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4427955
Antifibrotic activity of Taraxacum officinale root incarbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in mice.
Domitrović R, Jakovac H, Romić Z, Rahelić D, Tadić Z.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2010 Aug 9;130(3):569-77.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20561925
Taraxacum--a review on its phytochemical andpharmacological profile.
Schütz K, Carle R, Schieber A.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Oct 11;107(3):313-23.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16950583
The bifidogenic effect of Taraxacum officinale root.
Trojanová I, Rada V, Kokoska L, Vlková E.
Fitoterapia. 2004 Dec;75(7-8):760-3.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15567259
Anti-inflammatory activity of Taraxacum officinale.
Jeon HJ, Kang HJ, Jung HJ, Kang YS, Lim CJ, Kim YM, Park EH.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Jan 4;115(1):82-8. [Pubmed:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17949929]
Hepatoprotective effect of dandelion (Taraxacumofficinale) against acute liver injury induced by Carbontetrachloride in Sprague-Dawley rats
Chungmu Park , Yusi Zhou and Youngsun Song
The FASEB Journal. 2007;21:862.8[http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/meeting_abstract/21/6/A1122-d]
Hepatocurative potential of sesquiterpene lactones ofTaraxacum officinale on carbon tetrachloride induced liver toxicityin mice.
Mahesh A, Jeyachandran R, Cindrella L, Thangadurai D,Veerapur VP, Muralidhara Rao D.
Acta Biol Hung. 2010 Jun;61(2):175-90. [Pubmed:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20519172]

10. In vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective effects of theaqueous extract from Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) root againstalcohol-induced oxidative stress.
You Y, Yoo S, Yoon HG, Park J, Lee YH, Kim S, Oh KT, Lee J,Cho HY, Jun W.
Food Chem Toxicol. 2010 Jun;48(6):1632-7 [Pubmed:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20347918]
The in vitro effect of dandelions antioxidants onmicrosomal lipid peroxidation.
Hagymási K, Blázovics A, Fehér J, Lugasi A, Kristó ST, KéryA.
Phytother Res. 2000 Feb;14(1):43-4. [Pubmed:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10641047]

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