Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

The composite flower that covers the meadows with its bright yellow blossoms in spring is usually considered a weed. But it was already used as a medicinal plant in ancient times.

The vigorous dandelion is widespread in the northern hemisphere and colonises both fertile soils and stony terrain, thriving in light and shade. Its deep, strong taproot anchors it firmly in the soil.

The herb and the dandelion root are used in natural medicine. The most valuable substances are bitter substances, triterpenes, phytosterols, flavonoids and mucilage. In addition, the plant is rich in vitamins and minerals. In autumn, the root contains up to 40 % inulin, a prebiotic that serves as a nutritional basis for the healthy intestinal flora.

The main areas of application when used internally are above all loss of appetite, digestive complaints and functional disorders of the liver and gall bladder. Together with milk thistle and artichoke, dandelion is one of the most important “liver plants”. Folk medicine also uses it as a tonic for weakened patients, to support the elimination of toxins via the kidneys, for gout and rheumatism, skin conditions and for draining oedema.

Recently, cancer research has also been looking into the use of dandelion extract.

 

Webinar
Dandelion – supposed weed with healing potential.

Content: Blooming decoratively in spring, we usually regard the dandelion as a troublesome weed the rest of the year. Quite wrongly, because both the herb and the root of this plant contain valuable substances.
In this short 30-minute webinar, you will learn how we humans as well as our animals can benefit from the healing power of this composite flower.

Speaker: Dr. Gabriele Arndt | Recording: 02.11.2021

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