Taraxacum Officinale Compositae Parts Used: Whole plant Energy and Flavors: Leaves are cool and bitter, The root is bitter, sweet and cool Systems Affected: Liver, Spleen, Stomach, Kidney, Bladder Biochemical Constituents: Lactupicrine, A bitter principle, Tannin, Inulin and latexlike substance, Polysaccharides, carotene. Properties: Alterative, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Stomachic, Aperient, Tonic

The root is also useful for clearing obstructions of the spleen, pancreas, gallbladder, bladder and kidneys. It is of tremendous benefit to the stomach and intestines. To treat stomachaches, drink 1\2 cup of the infusion every half hour until relief is attained.

In Chinese medicine this condition would be considered as "liver attacking spleen-pancreatic" which refers to an imbalance of liver and pancreatic enzymes neccassary for digestion. Thus it would seem that dandelion root help to balance these enzymes that simultaneously benefit digestion, assimilation and elimination.

Even the most serious cases of hepatitis have rapidly been cured, sometimes within a week, with dandelion root tea taken in cupful doses 4-6 times daily and a light, easily digested diet of vegetable broths and rice and mung bean porridge.

I consider dandelion root a specific for hypoglycemia, but it may need to be combined with other tonic herbs such as ginsing and a little ginger for maximum benefit. A cup of dandelion tea is taken 3 times daily along with the recommended balanced diet.Similarly, it can be used to remedy recent onset of diabetes, especially when combined with huckleberry leaf in tea.

Dandelion root helps decrease high blood pressure, thus aiding the action of the heart. It can also be helpful in treating anemia by supplying necessary nutritive minerals.

The young dandelion leaves can be eaten fresh as a steemed potherb. With chicory and endive greens it provides a pleasant source of mild vegetable bitter necessary for balanced nutrition. This is especially good in the early spring which is a time for physical house cleaning, which these plants help to accomplish.

Roasted dandelion root makes a pleasnt beverage that can be consumed daily. It combines well with roasted bancha, or "kukicha" tea or chicory root.

Dandelion leaf tea is one of the finest diuretics known, at least equal to any known drug medicine. Thus dandelion leaf tea can be taken for fluid retention, cystitis, nephritis,weight loss and hepatitis.

Chicory (cichorium intybus) has properties similar to dandelion and can be used for similar purposes, although it has slightly more calming and blood building properties.

Dose: Standard decoction or 10-30 drops of the tincture