Dandelion

botanical name: Taraxicum officinale

A pesky garden weed, commonly used as an entry-level digestive herb for liver and kidney detoxification.

Key Features:

- a gentle digestive bitter

- supports liver detoxification

- improves kidney function

What does it do?

Digestive aid: its gentle bitter properties lends itself well to digestion as it helps to stimulate gastric juices, enzymes and various digestive processes. Bitters such as dandelion, tend to have a cooling effect on the body so work well for hot, inflammatory digestive complaints.

Liver detoxification: dandelion helps to support a strained liver and gallbladder by stimulating bile production. Bile is a substance that helps to emulsify and digest fats in the small intestine. By stimulating the liver, dandelion also supports the detoxification pathways in the body.

Kidney support: with its mild diuretic effects, dandelion helps to support healthy kidney function by improving the elimination of acidic waste products produced by our cells during metabolism. The increase in urine flow helps to flush out excess fluids and toxins in the body, helping to maintain a healthy electrolyte balance.

Anti-inflammatory: helps to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory compounds, helping to modulate inflammation in the body, particularly if the inflammation is associated with the bowels, liver or kidneys.

Active Constituents

Sesquiterpenes,

triterpenoids

phenolic compounds,

taraxalisin,

inulin

Parts Used

Whole plant particularly roots and stems and leaves.

Herbal Actions

Bitter

Cooling

Cholagogue

Diuretic

Mild laxatives

Applications

Teas,

Tinctures,

Syrups

Precautions

A relatively safe herb but those allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family should exercise caution. May interact with certain medications that are broken down by the liver or diuretics - consult a healthcare professional.