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            Dr. Pan's Clinic of TCM

Pu Gong Ying

(Taraxacum officinale & Taraxacum mongolicum)

English Name: Dandelion

By: Jeff Hills 

Also Known As:

Blowball, Cankerwort, Common Dandelion, Lion's Tooth, Pissenlit, Priest's Crown, Swine Snout, Taraxacum, Wild Endive. Taraxacum officinale, synonyms Leontodon taraxacum, Taraxacum vulgare.

　

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae.

Dandelion's diuretic action is probably the result of sesquiterpene lactones. The leaves are a rich source of potassium, which may make it the only naturally occurring potassium-sparing diuretic, although its diuretic action is likely different from that of pharmaceuticals.  At very high doses, the leaves have been shown to possess diuretic effects comparable to the prescription diuretic frusemide (Lasix).

Anti-edemic effects are the result of many phytochemicals, among them beta-amyrin and caffeic acid.

Dandelion is also a rich source of vitamins and minerals.  The leaves have a very high content of vitamin A as well as moderate amounts of vitamin D, vitamin C, various B vitamins, iron, silicon, magnesium, zinc, and manganese.

Physical Characteristics:

A very common perennial herb that grows wild in fields all over the world and has tooth-edged leaves and yellow flower. The whole plant is used as medicine.

Therapeutic Effects:

Clear away heat and detoxifying blood; weight-loss aid and diuretic; reduce swelling and dissolve clots. Suitable for food poisoning; inflammation of liver and gallbladder; kidney and gallbladder stones; tuberculosis and clots in lungs.

It also has an antimicrobial effect. Preparations have shown an in vitro bactericidal effect against Staphyloccocus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella spp., Neisseria meningitides, and Corynebacterium diphtheriae.  It also has some in vitro inhibitory action against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, ECHO virus and Leptospira.

Precautions:

Dandelion is generally considered safe. Some individuals, however, may develop an allergic reaction from touching dandelion, and others may develop mouth sores.

People with gallbladder problems and gallstones should consult a health care provider before eating dandelion.

Possible Interactions:

Dandelion leaf is a diuretic and may increase the excretion of drugs from the body. If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use dandelion preparations without first talking to your health care provider:

• Lithium -- Animal studies suggest that dandelion may worsen the side effects associated with lithium, a medication used to treat bipolar disorder.
• Antibiotics, quinolone -- One species of dandelion, Taraxacum mongolicum , also called Chinese dandelion, may decrease the absorption of quinolone antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and levofloxacin) from the digestive tract. It is not known whether Taraxacum officinale , also known as common dandelion, would interact with these antibiotics in the same way. As a precaution, dandelion should not be taken at the same time as these antibiotics.

Parts Used:

Dandelion leaves produce a diuretic effect while the roots act as an antiviral agent, appetite stimulant, digestive aid, and may help promote gastrointestinal health. Dandelion flower has antioxidant properties. Dandelion may also help improve the immune system.

Health care providers clinically use dandelion root to promote liver detoxification and dandelion leaves to support kidney function.

Medicinal Uses and Indications:

Dandelion is a natural diuretic that increases urine production by promoting the excretion of salts and water from the kidney. Dandelion may be used for a wide range of conditions requiring mild diuretic treatment, such as poor digestion, liver disorders, and high blood pressure. One advantage of dandelion is that dandelion is a source of potassium, a nutrient often lost through the use of other natural and synthetic diuretics.

Fresh or dried dandelion herb is also used as a mild appetite stimulant and to improve upset stomach (such as feelings of fullness, flatulence, and constipation). The root of the dandelion plant is believed to have mild laxative effects and is often used to improve digestion. Research suggests that dandelion root may improve the health and function of natural bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Studies have also reported that dandelion root may help improve liver and gallbladder function.

Some preliminary animal studies also suggest that dandelion may help normalize blood sugar levels and improve lipid profiles [namely, lowering total cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL ("good") cholesterol] in diabetic mice. However, not all animal studies have had the same positive effect on blood sugar. In addition, research needs to be conducted on people to know if this traditional use for diabetes has modern-day merit.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine………..

Nature: Cold; bitter and sweet; attributive to the Liver and Stomach meridians.

Main Function: Cooling/Detoxifying Herb for Heat Patterns

Functions: · Clears Heat and detoxifies, especially if Liver Heat is present

                  · Reduces and detoxifies abscesses, especially when they are firm in           consistency.

                  · Promotes lactation when blocked due to Heat.

                  · Promotes urination; used to clear urinary problems caused by Damp Heat

Last modified: 12/13/10