Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale)

Greetings all!

My name is Sara, and I am the newest pharmacy intern here at the Herbal Path! Over the next few weeks I hope to share lots of new and exciting information with you!

Today I wanted to post about an herb that has increased in popularity recently. Dandelion is proving to have more benefit than originally thought! As most of you may or may not know, dandelion (or dandelion root) is a bitter herb, not just a weed that you may find in your front lawn, and all parts of the plant are utilized including the leaves, the roots, the rhizome and the flower.

Dandelion is most often used for its benefits in liver function. It is known to increase bile production and bile flow in the liver, as well as aiding the liver in cleansing the blood of toxins and poisons that may be present in the body. Believe it or not it can actually be found to help restore the liver! Through its effects, dandelion will improve liver function, as well as reduce serum cholesterol and uric acid levels. So in turn, for those of you with gout this may be a great herb for you!

Some additional indications for dandelion include increased appetite (especially useful for cancer patients), increased diuresis, constipation, headaches, and indegestion. Dandelion may be right for you if you have poor liver function due to poor diet or alcohol abuse, are looking for an addition to a prescription diuretic (for indications such as fluid retention), are looking for a mild appetite stimulant, are anemic due to deficiencies in folic acid, iron or B12, or for gastrointenstinal symptoms such as constipation or indigestion. Dandelion may not be right for you if you have gallstones or biliary obstruction, as it may worsen these symptoms.

As always, remember that if you are on any prescription medications to first check with your doctor or pharmacist before initiating any over-the-counter or herbal medications!

To learn more about dandelion as well as the many other supplements and herbals we provide, come in and visit us here at the Herbal Path!

August 14, 2012  Tags:   Posted in: Education, Pharmacy Interns, herbal supplement

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