Taraxacum is a plant that was quite common in our meadows and countryside, so much so that we no longer notice it, almost to be considered a weed of the many that grow spontaneously. The dandelion, however, presents a strong background use in traditional medicine that has been lost over the centuries. Its name dandelion comes from its particular shape, from the jagged edges of its leaves that vaguely resemble the teeth of a feline, with long, lanceolate leaves and toothed margins. It is known for its particular characteristic that, after flowering, on the top of the stem, a small soft round format composed of many achenes is generated. This seedhead is the one all children remember having blown over once in their lifetime! In past centuries dandelion has been defined as a hepatic remedy that also had other applications related to wound healing and the ability to stimulate diuresis. Studies in modern herbal medicine later confirmed this positive influence on the liver, among other beneficial actions. Even in the millennial traditional Chinese medicine, dandelions are used to support liver health, stimulate cleansing of the urinary tract, and to promote healthy bones and joints. In many ancient medical texts, dandelions were also recommended to treat infections, skin problems such as eczema, and joint pain. In phytotherapy, the dandelion is a natural remedy used for its detoxifying action on the liver and gallbladder, in particular, the leaves are used to help kidney function and as a good draining against water retention. Its notoriety derives from the fact that dandelion root has interesting purifying properties stimulating the biliary, hepatic and renal functions, activating, therefore, our excretory organs: the liver, kidneys, and skin, inciting the transformation and elimination of toxins through the stool, urine, and sweat. These actions derive from taraxacum s particular composition of elements, which include triterpene alcohols, plant sterols, inulin (especially in latex), bitter principles and mineral salts (high is the potassium content) that confer tonic and digestive properties to the plant. It is in the root, however, where the maximum amount of active ingredients is concentrated with the presence of vitamins A, B1, B2 B3, C, E, K, alpha and beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin-beta, lutein and zeaxanthin, calcium, sodium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc and selenium, tannins, flavonoids, caffeic and coumaric acid. Tarassicin, in particular, stimulates the production of saliva, gastric and pancreatic juices, and bile, facilitating the emptying of the gallbladder. Dandelions also contain inulin which, as prebiotic fiber, nourishes the bacterial flora and improves intestinal transit, performing an effective, gentle laxative action. The draining action of the dandelion, on the other hand, is guaranteed by flavonoids and potassium salts, which act at the renal level by stimulating the production of urine and the drainage of excess liquids, an action that is very well appreciated by women with swollen legs, cellulite, and water retention. This pool of highly purifying, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying substances contained in dandelions form the cure-all fame that has made it known in traditional medicines over the centuries. These bioactive components favor the elimination of waste (sugars, triglycerides, cholesterol, and uric acids) making the dandelion a hepatoprotective plant suitable in case of liver failure, jaundice, and gallstones. In particular, the secretory stimulating action of taraxicin is not limited to bile, but stimulates secretions of all gastrointestinal system glands too (saliva, gastric, pancreatic, intestinal juices) as well as digestive system muscles, slightly favoring the (secondary) laxative action. In addition, dandelions can promote immunological function and enhance the immune response of the lymphatic system. The nitric oxide (NO) contained in it, is implicated in the processes of regulation and defense of the immune system and acts as an intracellular messenger, stimulating the phagocytic activity of the cells.
