Dandelion - Taraxacum officinale

Properties : Anti-oxidant, Diuretic, Tonic and is slightly Aperient.

Culpeper says "It openeth the passage of the urine both in young and old and will cleanse ulcers in the urinary tract"

It is a general stimulant to the system, but especially to the urinary organs and is chiefly used in kidney and liver disorders. Dandelion leaves are a potent diuretic due to their high potassium content and is far superior to over the counter diuretics.

Dandelion root is one of the best herbs to help detox the liver due to a beneficial substance called inulin that acts as energy storage in place of starch and promotes beneficial intestinal microflora, improves bowel function, stabilizes blood sugar as well as helps absorption of calcium and magnesium.

A 2008 review of Dandelion indicated that chicoric acid found in the plant inhibits the penetration of viruses in cells and acts as an antioxidant by preventing the oxidation of collagen and cells and concluded that extracts of T. officinale needs further exploration.

Most recently, in July 2020, a study found that liver histology was remarkably improved after dandelion treatment . The total antioxidant study of dandelion extract revealed that dandelion has notable antioxidant power and concluded that dandelion prevents the progression of hepatic fibrosis (liver damage) attributed to its ability to scavenge free radicals and to reduce the force of inflammatory cells.