Dandelion is an herb. People use the above ground parts and root to make medicine.

 

Dandelion is particularly appreciated for its safe diuretic action without any undesirable effects. It cleans the whole body by eliminating the toxins which have accumulated in it. Dandelion also improves digestion by increasing the discharge of bile and helps to stimulate lazy livers. This plant is an excellent “cleaning agent” for the digestive system.

 

Dandelion is used for loss of appetite, upset stomach, intestinal gas, gallstones, joint pain, muscle aches, eczema, and bruises. Dandelion is also used to increase urine production and as a laxative to increase bowel movements. It is also used as skin toner, blood tonic, and digestive tonic.

 

Some people use dandelion to treat infection, especially viral infections, and cancer.

 

In foods, dandelion is used as salad greens, and in soups, wine, and teas. The roasted root is used as a coffee substitute.

 

Loss of appetite.

Upset stomach.

Intestinal gas (flatulence).

Constipation.

 

How does it work?

 

Dandelion contains chemicals that may increase urine production and decrease swelling (inflammation).

 

Other names

 

Blowball, Cankerwort, Cochet, Common Dandelion, Couronne de Moine, Dandelion Herb, Délice Printanier, Dent-de-Lion, Diente de Leon, Dudal, Endive Sauvage, Fausse Chicorée, Florin d’Or, Florion d’Or, Herba Taraxaci, Laitue de Chien, Leontodon taraxacum, Lion's Teeth, Lion's Tooth, Pisse au Lit, Pissenlit, Pissenlit Vulgaire, Priest's Crown, Pu Gong Ying, Salade de Taupe, Swine Snout, Taraxaci Herba, Taraxacum, Taraxacum dens-leonis, Taraxacum officinale, Taraxacum vulgare, Tête de Moine, Wild Endive. 

 

References

 

To learn more about how this article was written, please see the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database methodology.

ReferencesReturn to top

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