Dandelion is one of the precious herbs known for its ability to cure many different ailments. Since ancient times, my father knew how to use this plant to treat diabetes, cure urinary infections, protect liver and bones … To better understand the therapeutic effects as well as how to use herbs This you can refer to the information below.
Table of Contents
Outline characteristics of the Dandelion plant
Dandelion is also known by other names such as lettuce tree, wild lettuce tree, ploughshare plant…. This herb belongs to the chrysanthemum family, whose scientific name is Lactuca india L.
Morphological characteristics
The lanceolate is a herbaceous plant with a smooth body and purple spot color. The tree is about 1-2 m high, with a short lifespan of only 1 to 2 years. The leaves are alternate with no stalks.
Dandelion flowers usually grow at the tops or between the leaves. Each flower grows in clusters and arranged in about 20cm long, divided into many different branches. The perianth is yellow, is cylindrical and usually has 8 to 10 flowers on each end. The corolla has a stigma, has an awl-shaped spine and is quite long. Flowers usually bloom from June to July each year.
The fruit of this herb is usually available in September. The fruit is black, has pale white feathers, when clicked on it will see a plastic discharge.
Distribution characteristics
Dandelion is a hygroscopic plant, easy to grow, so it is distributed in many countries around the world. Popular countries like China, Japan, India, Philippines and some other Indochina countries.
In Vietnam, this herb is commonly found in the Northern provinces or the Northern Midlands and Mountains, the lowlands with the terrain below 1000m above sea level. Dandelions often grow wild on roadsides, fields, gardens, fields, riverside alluvial grounds….
Collection and preliminary processing characteristics
Normally, people will collect wild lettuce trees around April every year. The whole tree can be collected from the roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits of the plant for medicinal purposes. After harvesting, they will be washed, dried or used fresh.
If dried, store plants in sealed boxes or plastic bags. Avoid storing in a humid place, away from direct sunlight and do not place in places with too high or too low temperature for the best preservation.
Characteristics of classification
Regarding classification, this wild lettuce has 3 different types with its own characteristics. As follows:
Vietnamese dandelion
In Vietnam, this type is also known by names such as lettuce, toad lettuce … This tree is only about 1m high, straight, with spikes. The leaves are quite thin, lanceolate, slightly wrinkled, at the edge of the leaves there are serrated, no petiole.
In terms of color, the upper surface of the leaves are dark brown, the lower surface is lighter when dried, the leaves will be quite flexible. This type usually has relatively low drug content, it belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is usually harvested around June to July of the year.
Chinese dandelion
This type is scientifically known as Taraxacum officinale and belongs to the Asteraceae family. The trunk is quite low, only about 50cm, and is grown directly from the roots. The plant’s single leaves are green in color and often cluster at the base like an asterisk. The middle leaf of the plant has a darker upper color than the underside, grows upright, the outer leaves curl. The drug content of this type is quite high, so it is often used to make medicine the most.
Dandelion is only natural
This variety is known by many different names such as dog’s tongue grass, fire blower. The plant is scientifically named Elephantopus scaber L and belongs to the Asteraceae family. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, this plant is known as suffering from fire-rooting, hard-headedness or heavenly world. However, this plant has no therapeutic use like the two above.
Each type of wild lettuce will have its own characteristics and uses. To avoid misuse, you should consult professional people such as reputable oriental medicine doctors.
Ingredient characteristics
According to researchers in the composition of the dandelion plant is very nutritious, good for health and helps to treat a number of diseases. Specifically:
- Minerals: Sodium., Magnesium, iron.
- Vitamins A, B, C.
- Fat.
- Starch.
- The other chemical components include: Taraxasterol, pectin, choline, fructose, polysaccharides, insulin, glucose, sucrose.
Use characteristics
According to Oriental medicine, this wild lettuce has a sweet, non-toxic taste and has a temperament, cans, and taste. This herb has pharmacological effects such as:
- Help spread swelling, cancer, heat, detoxify the liver effectively.
- Support for treatment of mammary gland infections, urinary tract infections, inflammatory boils, acute tonsillitis.
- Treatment of muscle pain, belching, anorexia, abdominal pain, joint pain.
- Diuretic, laxative, defecation easier.
- Skin care, blood tonic, spleen tonic.
What therapeutic effect does dandelion have? How to use?
It can be seen that the composition of wild lettuce has many health benefits and is used to treat many different diseases. Here is how to use this herb to treat a disease that you can refer to
Cure milk-jet blockage, treat swelling of the breast
To make kaleidoscope, prepare about 20g of dried dandelion leaves boiled with water and used for daily drinking. Also you can take about 40g fresh dandelion leaves, add a few seeds of white salt and then crush.
You squeeze the drinking water, the residue is used to apply on the swollen breast or is blocked from the milk jet. Every day should cover about 3-4 times, you will see the blockage of milk rays improved quickly.
Cure boils
To do this you need to prepare about 15g dried dandelion leaves, 600ml of water. Then you wash the leaves into the pot, pour 600ml of water into the pot and simmer until the water is about 200ml, then turn off the heat. Then use this water to drink about 4-5 days will see the pimples heal completely.
Cure stomach pain
You need to prepare about 25g dried dandelion leaves, 20g dried purple leaves, 15g dry ginseng. Then you wash these herbs into a pot and boil with 1 liter of water and let it simmer until the water is about 300ml, then turn off the heat. Next you distil the water and drink. Note you should do this continuously for about 10 days, then stop for 3 days. Then continue the same treatment until the disease is completely cured.
Cure poisonous snakes
To do this you need to use about 1 handful of fresh dandelion leaves, add a few seeds of white salt and crush. Then place it on the snake bite and use a thin cloth to fix it. Every day you should cover 1 time and do it continuously for 1 week to achieve the effect.
Cure cholecystitis
To cure cholecystitis you need to prepare about 30g of dried dandelion leaves. You boil it with boiling water like when you make tea and let it take about 20 minutes for the active ingredients to dissolve completely, you can drink. This way you can drink Dandelion water every day instead of water. Regular use will help improve cholecystitis completely.
Acne cure
For people with acne need to prepare about 20g dandelion leaves, 12g mulberry leaves, 6g licorice, 12 atrium. Then you wash these ingredients into a pot to boil with about 1.5 liters of water. Should be taken regularly and can be used instead of water. After a period of use, you will see a noticeable improvement in acne.
Cure stomach ulcers
To treat stomach ulcers you need to prepare about 20g dandelion leaves, 10g ginseng and 15g ginseng leaves. You need to wash the herbs above, put in a pot, boil with about 300ml of water. Use this water to drink during the day, if you feel bitter you can add a little sugar for easy drinking. You should drink this water continuously for about 10 days to achieve the best effect of treating stomach ulcers.
Treating gout (gout)
To cure gout, prepare about 30 dried dandelion leaves and roots. Then you bring clean color with about 500ml of water to drink during the day. Also you can use dandelion root to add a few white salt seeds, then crush and apply outside the swollen area caused by gout. Cover 1 time per day and fix with a thin cloth. After finishing applying, rinse with water.
For gout, you need to persist in treatment for 1-2 months to achieve the effect. Besides, you need to combine with diet, rest, and scientific activities to help you heal the fastest.
Other common uses of Wild Lettuce (Dandelion)
In addition to the remedies with wild lettuce (Dandelion) you can process this herb into tea for drinking or dishes such as vegetables. Specifically:
Tea with wild lettuce flowers
You need to prepare about 8 wild lettuce flowers, 360ml of boiling water, honey or sugar depending on your taste. First, put wild lettuce flowers in a cup, fill the flowers with boiling water and cover for about 5 minutes. Then when you drink, you can add a little honey or sugar depending on your taste.
Wild lettuce root tea
You need to prepare about 30g dried wild lettuce root, 5g sliced fresh ginger, 1 cardamom seed, 360m of water, honey or sugar depending on your taste. Proceed as follows:
- Bring the herbs washed and put in the pot to boil for about 5 – 10 minutes with 360ml.
- Then filter the water and when drinking can add sugar or honey depending on your taste.
Roast wild lettuce roots to make drinking water
First of all, you need to prepare the fresh and washed wild Lettuce roots. Then chop this root and bring it to bake at a temperature of about 300 degrees C for 2 hours. Next, you bring this roasted root soaked in boiling water for about 10 minutes to drink.
Use wild lettuce leaves as a sauce
You need to prepare wild lettuce leaves combined with cilantro to make the sauce used for dishes. These two types contain antioxidants, anti-free radicals that increase the ability to detoxify the body and have antiviral properties that are very good for your health.
Use Dandelion as a salad
You can make a salad with broccoli, lettuce, cucumber or some other vegetable. Then use Dandelion leaves to mix with these vegetables. This dish helps to add fiber, vitamin C, which is good for the digestive system and the health of the user.
Some other dishes combined with Dandelion
In addition to the above uses you can add Dandelion to some dishes such as:
- Add this leaf to seafood and pasta dishes.
- Use flowers to decorate dishes.
- Finely chop the leaves and mix with salmon …
Uses from dishes with Dandelion
The dishes with this plant bring great uses for the health of users such as:
- Calcium supplementation protects bones, reduces the risk of fractures, prevents tooth decay, prevents muscle spasm, and high blood pressure.
- Vitamin K supplementation maintains cardiovascular health, prevents blood clotting, ensures brain function and promotes metabolic activity of the body.
- Prevent the risk of prostate cancer, stomach cancer, colon, nose and mouth cancer.
- Purifies the liver, protects and maintains the functioning of the liver.
- Reduces swelling, increases the body’s ability to absorb minerals and prevents the development of certain diseases.
- Reducing blood sugar, effective diabetes prevention.
- Prevent skin infections, antiseptic, fungicidal, remove bacteria on the skin, reduce itching, reduce irritation caused by eczema, psoriasis.
- Slows down the aging process thanks to its rich content of antioxidants.
- Protect the digestive tract, fight constipation, reduce the risk of obesity, irritable bowel syndrome.
- Helps healthy eyes, strengthens nerve function and protects skin.
- Help diuretic, improve the immune system, reduce heartburn, benefit reproductive organs.
- Prevent urinary tract infections, bladder diseases such as bladder disorders, bladder cancer.
Some things to note when using Dandelion
Although according to Oriental medicine, wild lettuce is not poisonous, but if you use it incorrectly, it can cause negative health effects. So the process of using this herb you need to pay attention to a number of issues as follows.
Beware of side effects
Using the wrong dose can cause you to experience some side effects such as nausea, loss of appetite, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis … .. If you find yourself having these symptoms, stop drinking immediately. Should be examined for proper handling instructions.
Use the correct dose for women who are breastfeeding
For cases of using wild lettuce to treat blockages, start by trying little by little. At first, use less if there are no side effects, you can drink more in the next time. This is both to ensure the health of mothers and to protect the nursing baby. In addition women should drink up to about 300ml of this juice per day.
Do not use continuously for a long time
Do not drink this herbal water for too long as it may decrease the effectiveness of some other drugs if you are using it in parallel. Especially when you are taking antibiotics. In addition, the potassium content in this plant is quite large, when you use it for too long can decrease the body’s ability to absorb minerals.
Not for use with certain objects
Some of the following subjects should not use wild lettuce to avoid negative effects.
- People with problems such as high blood pressure or congestive heart failure.
- People with digestive disorders, diarrhea, irritable bowel, intestinal obstruction or blockage of the bile ducts.
- People are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in this herb.
- Pregnant women, children under 12 years old should not take this herb.
Above are some information about the medicinal effects of dandelion and its specific usage that you can refer to. Hope to help you use this herb properly, avoiding the undesirable side effects.
