Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Once in a golden hour
I cast to Earth a seed.
Up there came a flower
The people said, a weed

– Alfred Tennyson

The common flower you see sprouting through cracks on the sidewalk/pavement is called Dandelion, also known as Taraxacum offincinale in it’s latin name and “Lion’s Tooth” in French translation. It is a flower but many gardeners see it as a weed as it is fast-growing and invasive.

Dandelion has been used for centuries to treat liver disorders, urinary disorders, diabetes, cancer, anemia, skin alignments such as acne, eczema, psoriasis and many more conditions.

Dandelion is rich in vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin E, Iron, Potassium, Manganese, and Calcium

Benefits

Liver and Gallbladder disorders – antioxidant properties, including vitamin A, vitamin C and luteolin, help detoxify the liver, promote digestion, and allow the liver to functional efficiently, as well as maintain proper bile flow

Cleanses the liver – detoxification, aid in digestion, reduce inflammation

Urinary Disorders – dandelion leaf acts as a diuretic, or something that increases urine frequency. This helps in eliminate toxic substances from the kidneys and urinary tract.

Diabetes – stimulate insulin production in the pancreas resulting in stability of blood glucose levels

Skin – dandelion properties, such as detoxification, antioxidant, and germicidal, insecticidal, and fungicidal effects, enable it to be a great treatment for acne, eczema, and psoriasis, which can arise due to hormonal changes, diet lifestyle and skin infections.

Hormonal Balance – Detoxification can help with balance hormones and digestive issues that lead to other skin manifestations

Contact a Naturopathic Physician before supplementing yourself with Dandelion