Dandelion - Taraxacum officinale

Dandelion is a common, flowering herbaceous plant of temperate regions worldwide. It populates lawns and fields and provides an early resource for bees and other pollinating insects. There are thousands of species of Taraxacum but the most common here is Taraxacum officinale, which is what I mostly harvest from my own, unspoiled land. Dandelion was used by indigenous peoples as an astringent, expectorant, and diuretic. It has traditionally been used for liver and spleen issues, gout, diarrhea, and as a Spring tonic. It is a diuretic. The entire plant is edible, and it is utilized in Traditional Chinese Medicine to promote lactation after birth.

Scientific studies have shown that it is antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-rheumatic. Ethanol extract of Taraxacum officinale contains anti-angiogenic, acute anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities. In other words, it calms inflammation and pain and may help prevent formation of new blood vessels in cancerous tumors. It is being investigated as an alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of UTIs in women. It has been shown to be effective against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis. Studies have shown Taraxacum is also active against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Bacillus cereus, Vibrio harveyi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Paracoccus bacillus, and other microorganisms. It can also inhibit the growth of Candida albicans.

The petals are a useful ingredient in salves for their anti-inflammatory properties and beautiful yellow coloring.