Herbal Index: Nutritional and Herbal Information for Dandelion (Taraxacum)

 Dandelion: (Taraxacum officinale)

Nicolas Zea P.

Dandelion: ( Taraxacum officinale )
Kingdom: Plantae
(Unranked):Angiosperms
(Unranked):Eudicots
(Unranked): Asrerids
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Tribe: Cichorieae
Genus: Taraxacum
Species:

Constituents:
The root contains several triterpenes, including taraxol, taraxerol, taraxasterol, ψ-taraxasterol, and β-amyrin; sterols (stigmasterol, β-sitosterol); inulin (ca. 25%); sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose, etc.); pectin; glucosides; choline; phenolic acids (e.g., caffeic and p-hydroxyphenylacetic acids; gum; resins and vitamins. Sesquiterpene lactones (free, e.g., dihydrolactucin, ixerin D and ainslioside and glycoside, e.g., glucosyltaraxinic acid) have been reported in addition to benzyl glucoside, syringin, dihydrosyringin, and dihydroconiferin.

The flowers contain carotenoids (e.g., lutein, lutein epoxide, cryptoxanthin, cryptoxanthin epoxide, flavoxanthin, chrysanthemaxanthin, and violaxanthin) and their monoesters and diesters with fatty acids (mainly myristic; also lauric, palmitic and stearic acids); 2–4 arnidiol; flavonoids (free, e.g., luteolin and chrysoeriol; and glycosides, e.g., luteolin-7-glucoside) and coumaric acids.

The Leaves contain lutein, violaxanthin, among other carotenoids; bitter substances; vitamins A, B, C, and D; and others.

Vitamins 

A -Also known as retinal it helps your eyes adjust to the  light and dark as well as helping your eyes, mucous membranes and skin be moist. This vitamin is also a antioxidant which helps remove free radicals from your body. This vitamin is Fat soluble.


B1- Also known as thiamine which helps the body turn carbohydrates to glucose which gives the body energy. This vitamin helps the body break down fats and proteins. In addition to this vitamin maintaining the muscle tone along the wall of the digestive tract it promotes the health of the nervous system, skin, hair, eyes, mouth, and liver. It also helps the body to withstand stress and is often called "anti-stress" vitamin.


B2- Also known as Riboflavin which plays a significant role in the production of energy. It helps in conversion of carbohydrates to sugar, which fuels the bodies function. Riboflavin has an active part in the electron transport chain that produce cellular energy. It also helps in the processing of amino acids and fats. It can also serve as antioxidant, which slackens the pace of ageing.

C- Also known as Ascorbic acid this is one of the most effective and safest nutrients. It is a water soluble vitamin. It is a powerful antioxidant for the synthesis of collagen which helps to make blood vessels and keep the bodies muscles strong. The human body doesn’t have the capacity to generate Vitamin C. Therefore, it needs to receive it through foods and other supplements.

By Daniel Case

Minerals

• Calcium 
• Phosphorus 
• Iron 
• Sodium 
• Potassium 
• Magnesium
• Selenuim
• Zinc
• Manganese

Actions
Acts as a diuretic, blood and liver cleanser and increases bile production, reduces sperum choleserol and uric acid levels.  Improves functioning of the kidneys, pancreas, spleen, and stomach.

May be good for the following sicknesses:

• Relieves menopausal symptoms
• Usfuel for abscesses
• anemia
• boils 
• breast tumors
• cirrhosis of the liver
• constipation
• fluid retention
• hepatitis
• jaundice
• rheumatism

Cautions:
Should not be combiend with prescription diuretics. Not recommend for people with gallstones or biliary tract obstructions

There has not been sufficient study by the FDA of  Dandelion: ( Taraxacum officinale )  to say that it is good for the use of all the conditions mentioned above. Please read my legal disclaimer.

Sources:
1 Wikipiedia
2 http://www.herballegacy.com/Chhabra_Chemical.html
3 http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vitamins
4.Prescription’s for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A Blach CNC. If you like this information please support the publisher.