Store Homepage Product Catalog New Items Employee Blog

Browse or Search to find Herbs, Vitamin Supplements and more:

	Web springvalleyherbs.com

Our Price: $4.02
Retail Price: $21.50 lb

Shipping as low as $4.50 on orders under $25 (Within the U.S.A.)
Free Domestic Shipping (Within the U.S.A.) on all orders over $100

All international orders are shipped for a Minimum of $20.
Please see our Policies for more details.

Dandelion Leaf (dried, cut and sifted, 3 ounces)

Botanical Name: Taraxacum officinale

Family: Compositae

---Synonyms--- blow ball, canckerwort, lion's tooth, wild endive.

---Parts Used--- Leaf and Root

Overview

While many people think of the common dandelion ( Taraxacum officinale ) as a pesky weed, herbalists consider it a valuable herb with many culinary and medicinal uses. Dandelion is a rich source of vitamins A, B complex, C, and D, as well as minerals such as iron, potassium, and zinc. Its leaves are often used to add flavor to salads, sandwiches, and teas. The roots can be found in some coffee substitutes, and the flowers are used to make certain wines.

In traditional medicine, dandelion roots and leaves were used to treat liver problems. Native Americans also used dandelion decoctions to treat kidney disease, swelling, skin problems, heartburn, and stomach upset. Chinese medicinal practitioners traditionally used dandelion to treat digestive disorders, appendicitis, and breast problems (such as inflammation or lack of milk flow). In Europe, herbalists incorporated it into remedies for fever, boils, eye problems, diabetes, and diarrhea.

Today, dandelion roots are mainly used as an appetite stimulant, digestive aid, and for liver and gallbladder function. Dandelion leaves are used as a diuretic to stimulate the excretion of urine.

Parts Used

Dandelion leaves produce a diuretic effect while the roots act as an antiviral agent, appetite stimulant, digestive aid, and may help promote gastrointestinal health. Dandelion flower has antioxidant properties. Dandelion may also help improve the immune system.

Health care providers clinically use dandelion root to promote liver detoxification and dandelion leaves to support kidney function.

Medicinal Uses and Indications

Dandelion is a natural diuretic that increases urine production by promoting the excretion of salts and water from the kidney. Dandelion may be used for a wide range of conditions requiring mild diuretic treatment, such as poor digestion, liver disorders, and high blood pressure. One advantage of dandelion is that dandelion is a source of potassium, a nutrient often lost through the use of other natural and synthetic diuretics.

Fresh or dried dandelion herb is also used as a mild appetite stimulant and to improve upset stomach (such as feelings of fullness, flatulence, and constipation). The root of the dandelion plant is believed to have mild laxative effects and is often used to improve digestion. Research suggests that dandelion root may improve the health and function of natural bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Studies have also reported that dandelion root may help improve liver and gallbladder function.

Some preliminary animal studies also suggest that dandelion may help normalize blood sugar levels and improve lipid profiles [namely, lowering total cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL ("good") cholesterol] in diabetic mice. However, not all animal studies have had the same positive effect on blood sugar. In addition, research needs to be conducted on people to know if this traditional use for diabetes (see Overview) has modern-day merit.

Dandelion may be used in a variety of available forms:

• Dried leaf infusion: 1 - 2 teaspoonfuls, 3 times daily. Pour hot water onto dried leaf and steep for 5 - 10 minutes. Drink as directed.


• Dried root decoction: 1/2 - 2 teaspoonfuls, 3 times daily. Place root into boiling water for 5 - 10 minutes. Strain and drink as directed.


• Leaf tincture (1:5) in 30 % alcohol: 100 - 150 drops, 3 times daily


• Standardized powdered extract (4:1) leaf: 500 mg, 1-3 times daily


• Standardized powdered extract (4:1) root: 500 mg, 1-3 times daily


• Root tincture (1:2) fresh root in 45 % alcohol: 100 - 150 drops, 3 times daily

Related Products

*Note: The descriptions of the products that we sell suggest traditional uses and are not intended to take the place of your Medical Doctor's advice and perscriptions. Many uses of these products are not accepted by the FDA, and not all uses have been scientifically validated. This is intended for educational purposes, and not as a means to diagnose, prescribe or treat disease.

* Note: images might vary slightly from actual product, see product title and description. Some items are available in multiple sizes (see below), the photos might only depict one of the available sizes.

Featured Products: