Abstract
Dandelion, botanically known as Taraxacum officinale, is a perennial herb belonging to the family Asteraceae. Native to Europe and Asia, it has now spread worldwide and is commonly found in meadows, gardens, and roadsides. While often considered a weed, dandelion is a medicinal powerhouse used in traditional healing systems including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Western herbalism. The name Dandelion means “lion’s tooth” in French.
Abstract
Dandelion, botanically known as Taraxacum officinale, is a perennial herb belonging to the family Asteraceae. Native to Europe and Asia, it has now spread worldwide and is commonly found in meadows, gardens, and roadsides. While often considered a weed, dandelion is a medicinal powerhouse used in traditional healing systems including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Western herbalism. The name Dandelion means “lion’s tooth” in French.
Introduction
Dandelion is an edible herb and vegetable, so it has long been utilised in traditional medicine, folk remedies and alternative therapies in many countries to treat diverse diseases. Taraxacum can be used as a diuretic, antioxidant, bile agent, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-cancer agent. Corresponding studies in the 20th century revealed that Taraxacum can be used medicinally, while its inflorescences, leaves, and roots can be processed into different foods. In European and American herbal traditions, it is valued as a “spring tonic” used to cleanse the body after winter, especially targeting the liver, kidneys, and skin.
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Class: Dicotyledoneae
- Order: Asterales
- Family: Asteraceae
- Genus: Taraxacum
- Species: officinale
Synonyms
Vernacular names
- English: Common Dandelion, Lion’s-tooth
- Hindi: Dudhali, Dugdhapheni
- Marathi: Batthur
- Urdu: Kaanful
- Telugu: Patri
- Malayalam: Dugddhapheni
- Kannada: Kaadu Shaavanthi
- Gujarati: Pathradi
- French: Pissenlit
- German: Löwenzahn
Habitat
Dandelion is mainly found in Tibet, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and 18 thousand feet from the Himalayas.
Morphology
Dugdhapheni is a shrub which survives for many years. Leaves emerge from the base of the stem just above the roots. Leaves are 7-10 cm long, torn and smooth. The flowers are 7-10 cm long, yellow and appear at the end of the flower stalk. The root is 6 inches long, yellowish white when fresh and dark brown on dry. Milky white latex oozes out from all parts of the plant.
Classical categorisation:-
- As per Raj Nighantu- Parpatadi Varga
Parpatadi Varga
दुग्धफेनी कटुस्तिक्ता शिशिरा विषनाशिनी |
व्रणापसारिणी रूच्या युक्त्या चैव रसायनी ||(राज निघण्टु पर्पटादि वर्ग 99)
According to the above shloka, Dugdhapheni is pungent and bitter in taste. It contains antidote properties that help in poisoning. It helps in curing chronic wounds and loss of appetite. It acts as a rejuvenating herb.
Ayurvedic properties
- Taste (Rasa): Bitter (Tikta), Pungent (Katu)
- Physical Property (Guna): Dry (Ruksha), Light (Laghu), Sharp (Teekshna)
- Potency (Veerya): Hot Potency (Ushna)
- Post-Digestion Effect (Vipaka): Katu (Pungent)
- Effect on Tridosha: Pacifies Kapha and Pitta Dosha
Therapeutic properties
- Antipyretic
- Appetiser
- Rejuvenative
- Purgative
- Antimicrobial
- Hepatic stimulant
- Effective in ulcer healing
- Diuretic
- Blood purifier
- Effective in skin diseases
- Antidote
Systemic actions
Localised–Its local application is very effective in inflammation, skin disorders and non-healing ulcers. Its juice can be used for wound cleansing and paste for the healing of ulcers.
Internal use-
- Digestive system- Dugdhapheni is an appetiser, hepatic stimulant and purgetive. It also contains carminative properties and helps in jaundice and ascites.
- Circulatory system- It works as a blood purifier and helps with oedema.
- Skin- It helps manage various skin problems due to diaphoretic properties.
- Urinary system- Due to its diuretic nature, it is effective in the management of dysuria.
- Temperature- It helps in the management of chronic fever.
Chemical composition
- Taranacin
- Taraxacerin
- Pectin
- Starch
- Teriterpenes
- Sterols
- Eudesmanolides
- Sesquiterpene lactones
Modern overview
Hepatoprotective activity
According to a study, it is found that two polysaccharides found in the Dugdhapheni plant are effective in preventing acetaminophen-induced liver injury.
Anticancer activity
According to some studies, Dugdhapheni shows effective results in different types of cancer. Its extract blocks the proliferation and invasion of breast and prostate cancer by regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/ protein kinase B pathway. The extract of Dugdhapheni has cytotoxic effects on human hepatic cancer cells.
Practical uses
- For Jaundice- The 20-30 ml decoction of Dugdhpheni is very effective and useful in the management of jaundice.
- For Skin Disease- The paste of the leaf or root can be applied to the affected area in case of skin disease.
- For Poison- The decoction of Dugdhapheni can be used in case of an insect bite.
- For Burning Micturition- The cold infusion of Dugdhpheni can be used to treat burning micturition.
- For Fever- The fresh juice of leaves and roots can be given to the fever patient at a dose of 10-15 ml.
Part used
Dosage
- Root Powder- 0.75-1.25 grams
- Decoction- 25-50 ml