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A little something for those of us who harvest these little buggers. This is an excerpt from a book called Medicine From the Mountains: Medicinal Plants of the Sierra Nevada:
History and Modern Usage:
Dandelion is both a cholagogue and a choleretic. That is, it stimulates the liver's production of bile (choleretic) and triggers the release of concentrated bile from teh gall bladder (cholagogue). Modern herbalists consider Dandelion a "liver flush"....
All parts of the plant are used, with the root being the most bitter portion, and medicinally speaking the strongest overall.... The leaves can be enjoyed in spring and summer when the young inner portions make excellent additions to salads. The leaves are an exceptional diuretic and contain high amounts of potassium (approximately 4%) and other minerals that are often lost with the use of strong synthetic diuretics. One study of Dandelion with laboratory mice found that the leaves were equal to the popular drug Lasix (Furosemide) in diuretic action. Dandelion has been consistently shown in European laboratory experiments to significantly reduce obesity in laboratory animals. Yet, its weight loss value is almost unknown to scientists and obesity loss researchers here in the United States. Dandelion has also been shown to reduce kidney stone formation.
Many other scientific studies have been performed with Dandelion. It retards the growth of type-one herbes simplex virus in laboratory setting. The flowers and pollen have been shown to be an effective antibiotic inhibiting the growth of several bacterial strains including Salmonella, E. coli, and Proteus. Dandelion has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels in diabetic laboratory animals. Dandelion's polysaccharides enhance immune function. Dandelion has also been shown to enhance the repair of liver tissue damaged by viruses and toxic chemicals, reduce serum cholesterol, and inhibit certain tumors. Indeed, it is considered to be on of the finest liver foods. Dandelion is a very underrated medicinal herb in the United States. Its use should be considered in any liver or gall bladder dysfunction.
Toxicity
The only toxicity of Dandelion is in overuse of the root. Its bitter qualities can potentially create a large dumping of bile into the small intestine. This can cause gastrointestinal irritation and diarrhea.
Dosage
1-2 grams of the root, two to three times per day. 3-10 grams of the dried leaves two to three times per day. Fresh Dandelion is best, as light and heat exposure break down several of the bitter chemicals.
History and Modern Usage:
Dandelion is both a cholagogue and a choleretic. That is, it stimulates the liver's production of bile (choleretic) and triggers the release of concentrated bile from teh gall bladder (cholagogue). Modern herbalists consider Dandelion a "liver flush"....
All parts of the plant are used, with the root being the most bitter portion, and medicinally speaking the strongest overall.... The leaves can be enjoyed in spring and summer when the young inner portions make excellent additions to salads. The leaves are an exceptional diuretic and contain high amounts of potassium (approximately 4%) and other minerals that are often lost with the use of strong synthetic diuretics. One study of Dandelion with laboratory mice found that the leaves were equal to the popular drug Lasix (Furosemide) in diuretic action. Dandelion has been consistently shown in European laboratory experiments to significantly reduce obesity in laboratory animals. Yet, its weight loss value is almost unknown to scientists and obesity loss researchers here in the United States. Dandelion has also been shown to reduce kidney stone formation.
Many other scientific studies have been performed with Dandelion. It retards the growth of type-one herbes simplex virus in laboratory setting. The flowers and pollen have been shown to be an effective antibiotic inhibiting the growth of several bacterial strains including Salmonella, E. coli, and Proteus. Dandelion has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels in diabetic laboratory animals. Dandelion's polysaccharides enhance immune function. Dandelion has also been shown to enhance the repair of liver tissue damaged by viruses and toxic chemicals, reduce serum cholesterol, and inhibit certain tumors. Indeed, it is considered to be on of the finest liver foods. Dandelion is a very underrated medicinal herb in the United States. Its use should be considered in any liver or gall bladder dysfunction.
Toxicity
The only toxicity of Dandelion is in overuse of the root. Its bitter qualities can potentially create a large dumping of bile into the small intestine. This can cause gastrointestinal irritation and diarrhea.
Dosage
1-2 grams of the root, two to three times per day. 3-10 grams of the dried leaves two to three times per day. Fresh Dandelion is best, as light and heat exposure break down several of the bitter chemicals.
