Botanical Name – Taraxacum officinale

Family: Asteraceae

Energetics: cool, dry, tonifying

Taste: bitter, earthy, salty, sweet

Parts used: root, leaves, flowers

Affinities: liver and kidneys, urinary system

Actions: diuretic, digestive, cholagogue, choleretic, mild laxative (roots), nutritive, exhilarant (flowers)

Preparations: tea/ decoction, honey infusion, tincture, oil infusion, food

Cautions: Can be drying.

Therapeutic Uses:

• Dandelion is a bitter herb that aids in digestion especially where the digestion is incomplete. Because of its drying and draining qualities, it can be useful in clearing out stuck junk in your liver and kidneys and helps clear out stones. This is also useful in cleaning and thinning the blood because it helps clean things out. 
• Although it is a diuretic and will make you pee more, its high levels of vitamins and minerals will help you not get depleted. So basically, it clears out the bad stuff and brings in the good stuff.
• Dandelion is a nutritive which means it is extremely nutritious. Dandelion greens are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K, and they also contain vitamin E, folate, and small amounts of other B vitamins. The greens provide minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. 
• Tea or tincture made with the flowers is a gentle exhilarant and will help improve the mood especially in cases of SAD (seasonal affective disorder).

**This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness or disease. It is for educational purposes only.