Summer Break Day 6

Breakfast is done.  My son woke me at 6:30 again...  On the bright side WE HAVE RAIN!  LOL  My husband has been out for over 2 weeks now and the grass has not grown an inch.  I opened the file for dandelion for today's post and realized I keep changing the format for my herbariums.  I think I have them the way I like now but all the new ones are in the correct format and I'm changing the format in the old ones as I open them.  I noticed even though I already updated first semester that the data was confusing in that format because I can't tel which source was used for what in the formulary section.  If I can't tell, how can my readers? Sorry if anything is confusing.  Fell free to ask questions if anything isn't clear.  My husband is finally going to get trained to be a trainer which is awesome, though I know he'll complain a bit about sharing his living space when he has a trainee.  It will be a big adjustment to sharing such a tiny space and they will have to learn to be respectful of one another but I view it as a growing experience and I think he and his trainees will be the better for it.  I'm going to go ahead and get off here.  The trash really smells and I want to get it taken out.  I usually put up with it until the bag is full but NOT today.  I cleaned out the refrigerator....  I can tell...  LOL

On to Dandelion!

Constituents: Sesquiterpene lactones (taraxacoside, others), diterpenes (taraxacin), triterpenes (Taraxasterol, arnidiol, faradiol, B-amyrin), sterols (stigmasterol, B-sitosterol), carotenoids (lutin, violaxanthin), xanthophylls, flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin), polysaccharides (glucans, mannans, inulin), potassium (up to 4.5% in aerial parts) (Hoffman, 2003, p. 587).  Chevallier (2016) breaks these down.  The lactones, triterpenes, and polysaccharides are in both the leaves and the root. He says under leaf only: Coumarins, carotenoids, and minerals, especially potassium. Under Root only: Taraxacoside, phenolic acids, and minerals (potassium and calcium) (p. 141).

Therapeutic Actions: Diuretic, hepatic, cholagogue, antirheumatic, laxative, tonic, bitter (Hoffman, 2003, p. 587). Petersen 2018, adds alterative, anti-inflammatory, depurative, laxative, nutritive and stomachic (p. 191).

Indications: effective diuretic (leaf) because of the potassium, one of the best natural sources, even for water retention – especially when diuretic issues aggravate the cardiovascular system.  Most valuable tonic especially for the liver. Great for inflammation and congestion of the liver and gallbladder, including jaundice (Hoffman, 2003, p. 587). Other things include autointoxication, rheumatism, blood disorders, chronic skin eruptions, chronic gastritis and aphthius ulcers (Hoffman says these came from Ellingwood). Petersen says acne, anemia, arteriosclerosis, arthritis, breast problems (cancer, lack of milk, congestion), bronchitis, bruises, cellulite. Circulatory problems, cirrhosis (early stages), constipation, diabetes, dropsy, eczema, eye trouble, fevers, gallbladder tonic, gallstones, gout, heartburn, hepatitis (infectious), hypoglycemia, indigestion, jaundice, joint stiffness, kidney complaints, liver troubles, muscular rheumatism, edema, premenstrual fluid retention, psoriasis, sluggish digestion, and skin problems. Use the white milk topically for warts, pimples, sores, and blisters. (p. 191-2)

Safety: (Hoffman, 2003, p. 587) The Asteraceae family may have allergic reactions though rare for this plant, in the form of contact dermatitis. Petersen, 2018, says there are no contraindications reported for the leaf but don’t use the root if the bile ducts are blocked, there is gallbladder inflammation or there is intestinal blockage (p. 195).

Have a great day!