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The
dandelion covers any type of grounds with bright yellow sunny flowers that
turn into fluffy puff balls when seeding. The jagged leaves grow up to 12
inches from a rosette with round yellow flowers. The flowers are open
during the day, closed at night. The seed heads contain up to 200 seeds on
fluffy tufts. The stems ooze a sticky milky substance when picked.
History:
Dandelion root has been used for liver
and biliary complaints for centuries. Extensive records of its medicinal
use exists from the 10th and 11th centuries when it was promoted by
Arabian doctors. In 16th century Britain, it was well established as an
official drug of the apothecaries under the name of Herba Taraxacon and
was a popular medicine for the liver and digestive organs. Since the 16th
century the Germans have used dandelion extensively for "blood
purifying" and liver congestion. It is truly a universal herb and is
still found in the official pharmocopoeias of Switzerland, Poland, Hungary
and Russia. A huge amount of research has been carried out on the
medicinal and nutritional effects of dandelion in many European countries.
Dandelion has also been used as a herbal medicine for centuries in China,
India and Nepal for liver ailments. Today dandelion is used widely as a
tonic in North America, the Orient and Europe. 1
Dandelion
extract is approved as a GRAS (generally recognised as safe) food
ingredient by FDA. The extract is used as flavour components in various
food products, including alcoholic (eg bitters) and nonalcoholic
beverages, frozen dairy desserts, candy, baked goods, gelatins, puddings
and cheese2
Function:
Dandelion
extract is used to treat liver and gallbladder obstructions, improve liver
function, promote bile production and as a diuretic.
1.Correcting Liver Function:
Dandelion
extract is used in inflammation and congestion of liver. As one of the
most effective detoxifying herbs, it acts by filtering toxins and wastes
from the bloodstream, the gallbladder, the liver and the kidneys. It
stimulates bile production, and helps the body get rid of excess water
produced by the diseased liver. The Australian Journal Medical Herbalism
Vol 3 (4),1991, refers to two studies, one by Vivarelli in 1938 and the
other in Britain, which demonstrate the liver healing properties of
dandelion. They found that dandelion successfully treats hepatitis, liver
swelling, jaundice and indigestion in those with inadequate bile
secretion. 5 It is also used in the early stages of liver
cirrhosis such as alcoholic cirrhosis.3
2.Cholagogue
Extract of
dandelion, flavonoids can double the flow of bile. This is critical in the
process of toxin elimination, because bile flow is a natural secretion
essential to transporting toxins from the liver to the intestines, where
they are shuttled out of the body. An English study found that in addition
to increasing biliary flow, dandelion extract can restore biliary
function. Its cholagogue effect is useful for liver and gall bladder
inflammation , eliminate gallstones and congestion, as well as jaundiced
states.4
3.Diuretic
Extract of
dandelion leaves is a powerful diuretic. Unlike many conventional
diuretics, dandelion leaves do not leach potassium from the body. In
fact, the leaves are so rich in this mineral that they function as a
potassium supplement. This diuretic action is responsible for the
dandelion's use as a treatment for high blood pressure.
Dosage:
250-500mg
of a 4% powdered solid extract daily for liver function improvement.
Safety:
No severe side effects are observed by using
dandelion extract. Use cautiously if an ulcer or gastritis present.
Chemistry:
The dandelion
extract is standardized to 4% Flavonoids.
References:
1. Petkov VD, Yonkov D, Mosharoff A, et al. Effects of alcohol aqueous
extract from Rhodiola rosea L. roots on learning and memory. Acta Physiol
Pharmacol Bulg 1986;12:3-16.
2. Brekhman II, Dardymov IV. New substances of plant origin which increase
nonspecific resistance. Ann Rev Pharmacol 1969;9:419-430.
3. Lishmanov IB, Trifonova ZV, Tsibin AN, et al. Plasma beta-endorphin and
stress hormones in stress and adaptation. Biull Eksp Biol Med
1987;103:422-424. [Article in Russian]
4. Linh PT, Kim YH, Hong SP, et al. Quantitative determination of
salidroside and tyrosol from the underground part of Rhodiola rosea by
high performance liquid chromatography. Arch Pharm Res 2000;23:349-352.
5. Lee MW, Lee YA, Park HM, et al. Antioxidative phenolic compounds from
the roots of Rhodiola sachalinensis A. Bor. Arch Pharm Res
2000;23:455-458.
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