Dandelion & Leaky

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The HomeGrown Herbalist School of Botanical Medicine

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This presentation is for entertainment and educational purposes only. The author is not a physician and the contents of this presentation should not be viewed or taken as medical advice. The views expressed are the opinions of the author only and should not be taken as an endorsement of any product or practice. Herbs can and do interact with pharmaceuticals. No herb or herbal product should be taken without consulting a qualified physician. The author and publisher disclaim any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of this information or any product, plant or practice mentioned herein. Don’t run with scissors. Don’t immerse your head in a bucket of water for a prolonged period of time. Don’t give your bank account number to deposed Nigerian princes on the internet. Don’t stick your finger in a pencil sharpener. Don’t read very small type without proper magnification…….

Giving this document to people who haven’t paid for it is stealing.

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Plant Monograph

Dr. Patrick Jones

Warning: Herbs can and do interact with pharmaceuticals. Consult with a qualified professional before combining herbs and drugs.

Many of the herbs mentioned in this module are not safe to take during pregnancy or lactation. Carefully research each plant mentioned in each formula and consult a physician before using Them.

The various formulas in this module are given as volume ratios for powdered, dry herbs. For example: 2 Echinacea 1 Calendula 1 Cleavers So, for this formula you would mix 2 parts of Echinacea, 1 part Calendula and 1 part cleavers. Those parts could be grams, ounces or tons depending on how much you want to make. :)

The typical adult dosing for each formula is also given. This is the volume of dry herb you should ingest. Whether you do that by making a tea of the herbs, putting the herbs in a little juice or encapsulating them is up to you. If using fresh herbs instead of dry herbs, double the quantities to account for the water content in the plants diluting their medicinal components. You could also make tinctures of the some of these formulas. To do so, mix the herbs in exactly the same ratio and then make your tincture by adding one part dry herb to 5 parts vodka and saying nice things to it and shaking it daily for two weeks..

Dosing information adults, children and animals for formulas sold on HomegrownHerbalist.net can be found on the “More Info” tab on each product page.

Copyright © 2021 HomeGrown Herbalist, LLC Herb Forms Most herbal products are sold in three forms; powders, tinctures and capsules. People often ask which form is best. The truth is, it matters very little how we get herbs into our body but there are some advantages to each form.

Powders: Powders are the least expensive form. Powders can be made into teas or tinctures or you can just put the powder into a little juice or water or a smoothie and drink it. Shelf life is a year or two.

Tinctures: Tinctures are alcohol extracts of herbs. They act a little more quickly in the body and are very portable. Shelf life is many years. Tinctures can be taken alone or mixed with a little juice, water or smoothie.

Capsules: Capsules are my least favorite form personally. I believe that many herbs are more effective if capsules aren’t used. Click here to read a blog article on Capsules Any of the above forms can be mixed with your morning smoothie or with yogurt, apple sauce etc... Tinctures mix really well with this product: Barlean’s Seriously Delicious Omega-3 Fish Oil. This is a great way to get tinctures into children and adults that are sensitive to yucky herb flavors.

Recommended Servings for Humans

For chronic or maintenance issues, twice daily is usually sufficient. For acute situations, dosing can be done more frequently. If you’re taking herbs long-term, take a day off every week or two.

Herbs and Adults

Powders for Adults: 1-2 rounded teaspoons 2-3 times daily. Tinctures for Adults: 1/4 to 1 teaspoon 2-3 times daily. Capsules for Adults: 4 capsules 2-3 times daily.

Herbs and Children

I don’t recommend herb use in children under two years of age without consulting a qualified practitioner. When I do use herbs for children. I dose them based on weight compared to an adult...1/2 an adult...1/3 of an adult etc...

At HomeGrown Herbalist, all of our formulas were created so that they could be used in either humans or in dogs and cats. Most dogs will eat herbs willingly if the powdered form is mixed with a little wet food. Tinctures can also be used. Many cats are very resistant to taking herbs willingly.

For chronic or maintenance issues, twice daily is usually sufficient. For acute situations, dosing can be done more frequently.

If the pets are getting herbs long-term, take a day off every week or two.

Copyright © 2021 HomeGrown Herbalist, LLC Dosing Pets Powders for Pets Under 10 Pounds: 1/8 teaspoon twice daily 10-20 Pounds: 1/4 teaspoon twice daily 20-40 Pounds: 1/2 teaspoon twice daily 40-60 Pounds: 3/4 teaspoon twice daily Over 60 Pounds: 1 rounded teaspoon twice daily

Tinctures for Pets: Under 10 Pounds: 3 drops twice daily 10-20 Pounds: 5 drops twice daily 20-40 Pounds: 10 drops twice daily 40-60 Pounds: 20 drops twice daily Over 60 Pounds: 30 drops twice daily

Capsules for Pets: Under 10 Pounds:1/4 capsule twice daily 10-20 Pounds: 1/2-4 capsule twice daily 20-40 Pounds: 1 capsule twice daily 40-60 Pounds: 2 capsule2 twice daily Over 60 Pounds: 3 capsules twice daily

Kingdom: Plantae Angiosperms Eudicots Asterids Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Subfamily: Cichorioideae Tribe: Cichorieae Genus: Taraxacum Species: Taraxacum officinale

Taraxacum is a midieval Latin word Which was (ṭaraḵšaqūn) طرخشقون taken from the Arabic which means herb of the poor as dandelions were only eaten when times were tough.

Officinale is Latin for from the officina. The officina was a storeroom in a monastery where monks kept medicinal plants and other medical supplies. The Latin name was given by pioneer taxonomist Carl Linnaeus who named numerous plants (and a few animals) officinalis or officinale Carl Linnaeus if they were medicinal. (1707–1778)

•Althaea officinalis (marshmallow) •Melilotus officinalis (ribbed melilot) •Anchusa officinalis (bugloss) •Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) •Asparagus officinalis (asparagus) •Morinda officinalis (Indian mulberry) •Avicennia officinalis (mangrove) •Nasturtium officinale (watercress) •Bistorta officinalis (European bistort) •Paeonia officinalis (common paeony) •Borago officinalis (borage) •Parietaria officinalis (upright pellitory) •Buddleja officinalis (pale butterflybush) •Pulmonaria officinalis (lungwort) •Calendula officinalis (pot marigold) •Rheum officinale (a rhubarb) •Cinchona officinalis (quinine) •Rosa gallica 'Officinalis' (apothecary rose) •Cochlearia officinalis (scurvygrass) •Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) •Corallina officinalis (a seaweed) •Salvia officinalis (sage) •Cornus officinalis (cornelian cherry) •Sanguisorba officinalis (great burnet) •Cyathula officinalis (ox knee) •Saponaria officinalis (soapwort) •Cynoglossum officinale (houndstongue) •Sepia officinalis (cuttlefish) •Euphrasia officinalis (eyebright) •Sisymbrium officinale (hedge mustard) •Fumaria officinalis (fumitory) •Spongia officinalis (bath sponge) •Galega officinalis (goat's rue) •Stachys officinalis (betony) •Gratiola officinalis (hedge hyssop) •Styrax officinalis (drug snowbell) •Guaiacum officinale (lignum vitae) •Symphytum officinale (comfrey) •Hyssopus officinalis (hyssop) •Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) •Jasminum officinale (jasmine) •Valeriana officinalis (valerian) •Laricifomes officinalis (a wood fungus) •Verbena officinalis (vervain) •Levisticum officinale (lovage) •Veronica officinalis (speedwell) •Lithospermum officinale (gromwell) •Zingiber officinale (ginger) •Magnolia officinalis

Sepia officinalis

Photo by Hans Hillewaert

The word dandelion comes from the French dents de lion which means Teeth of the Lion. Dandelions grow these ferocious-looking lion leaves to scare away the deer. It’s not working…but it was a great idea on paper.

During World War II, rubber supplies from the rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) of Southeast Asia were threatened due to the war. As a result, the Soviet Union, Germany, the United States and a few other countries started developing cultivars of dandelions to harvest the natural latex and make rubber. Rubber production ranged from 600-1100 pounds of rubber per acre. The Germans used women from the Auschwitz concentration camp to work the fields and make the rubber.

Recently, interest in dandelion rubber has renewed due to competition for plantation land with more profitable palm seed oil farms. Also, the labor to harvest rubber from trees is very high. In 2019 a German tire maker announced that their future Harvesting latex from rubber trees bicycle tires would be made from dandelion rubber.

Medicinal Parts: Root, Leaves, Seeds, Sap

Constituents: Root: Inulin, mannitol, tannin, taraxerols, taraxols. Plant/Leaf: Latex, arnidiols, chicoric acid, chichoriin, coumesterol, lactucerol, levulin, leuteolins, taraxacosides, taraxathin. Flower: Lecithin, flavoxanthins, lutein,

You’re kidding right?

Ok, so for those from other planets, the dandelion is a small, perennial, tap-rooted herbaceous plant with dark green leaves growing radially from the plant base.

The plant has no stems at all, only leaves and hollow flowers stalks that extend directly from the root base. The leaves have tooth-like serrations on their margins, hence the name dandelion from the French dent de lion (tooth of the lion). The flowers are yellow and composite.

Dandelion is safe for use in dogs, cats, aardvarks, penguins and other critters with legs. Use it for the same issues for which you’d use it in humans.

Tincture 40-50% ethanol 1:5 ratio. Adult dose 20-30 drops 2-3 times daily. Dandelion has very wide safety margins. It doesn’t matter how you get dandelion into your body. Eat the plants, make a tea, put it in your smoothie, use a tincture or put it into capsules.

The entire plant is edible and is high in vitamins and minerals. Leaves are tastiest in the spring as the summer heat tends to make them a bit bitter. The root can be sliced and roasted to make a coffee-like. While its principal benefit is to give one a greater appreciation for the flavor of chicory thus prepared, it’s still pretty good

Leaves may be a bit more potent in spring and roots a bit stronger in fall. But any time is fine for either. Be sure to get permission from private land owners as this beautiful flower is a prized ornamental in some circles. Ok, so it’s a fairly small circle, but it’s still good to ask.

Dandelions can be challenging to grow. You’ll find that the seeds must be in or near dirt or they won’t germinate.

Seed distribution is best done by children as they are shorter and therefore closer to the dirt. Be sure to stand up wind when planting or you’ll get seeds in your nose.

Probiotics are foods that contain high levels of fiber which feeds the beneficial bacteria of the gut. These good-guy bacteria out number our own body cells by about 10 to one and support digestion, the immune system and mental health. One of their favorite flavors of fiber is inulin. Dandelion root contains high levels of inulin. The leaf also contains nutrients and fibers the bacteria like.

You have to eat the plant or powder to get the fiber. The tincture or tea would miss the point entirely. Throw a spoonful of powder in your morning smoothie.

This is good too: Digestive-Prebiotic Powder

Copyright © 2021 HomeGrown Herbalist, LLC Dandelion & The Urinary Tract Dandelion is an excellent diuretic, which is to say, it makes you pee more. The principal purpose of the kidneys is to remove toxins from the body using as little water as possible. Dandelion persuades those rascals to quit being so stingy and let more water go.

As a result, urine volume and frequency increase which flushes the urinary tract. The leaf is a stronger diuretic than the root. It’s an important ingredient in the HomeGrown Herbalist

Kidney-MoPP formula.

Copyright © 2021 HomeGrown Herbalist, LLC Dandelion For Fluid Retention, Edema & Blood Pressure Dandelion can also be used for edema or other cases of fluid retention from swollen ankles to pulmonary congestion. It contains good levels of potassium which is a convenient perk for a diuretic as most diuretics can cause some potassium depletion. God is clever. Its diuretic action can also be used to help lower blood pressure and it’s a good addition to blood pressure formulas.

Kidney-MoPP formula

Blood Pressure-H

Dandelion’s diuretic effect is one of the most helpful things for clearing a kidney or bladder infections. The increased urine flow flushes bacteria from the system but that’s not all. Recent research is also showing some very interesting antibiotic effects of dandelion leaf.

The herbs in this formula are also helpful for these issues.

Kidney & Bladder U.T.I.

Immunity Support

Dandelion’s diuretic effect is also helpful things for dissolving kidney and bladder stones.

Kidney-NoStonz

Dandelion’s diuretic effect is also helpful for dissolving and flushing away the uric acid crystals that cause gout. The leaf is better for this than the root.

Dandelion Leaf

Here’s another good one.

Kidney – G.O.U.T.

Copyright © 2021 HomeGrown Herbalist, LLC Dandelion The Nutritive Dandelion’s leaves and roots are full of vitamins C, K and A as well as folate and B vitamins. There is also a lot of beta carotene and other antioxidants. They also contain a lot of potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium and a number of important microminerals. And, as we mentioned before, the root also contains a lot of excellent fiber. Here are some easy buttons for improving your nutrition with dandelion.

Nutritive Formula

Nourishing Roots Tea

Dandelion root is an effective liver tonic. It stimulates bile production and flow. As a result, it’s very helpful for jaundice cases and even has a positive role in hepatitis protocols.

Liver Support Formula

The gall bladder stores bile and contracts at mealtimes to deliver bile to the intestines through the bile duct.

Dandelion can decrease inflammation of the gall bladder and is helpful with gallstones.

The guys in this one help too. Gall Bladder & Bile Duct

Dandelion’s tonic effects on the kidneys and liver help those organs with their primary responsibility of cleansing the body of toxins and waste. This has significant beneficial effects on a number of other body systems and conditions.

Both the root and leaf are important ingredients in the several of the formulas in the HomeGrown Herbalist Herbal Cleanse Kit.

One of the positive effects of increased bile production flow is improved digestion and absorption of nutrients, particularly fats. The bile also reduces constipation as does the high fiber content.

Older, more bitter dandelions make a good digestive bitter. Take some a half hour before eating to improve digestion and minimize bellyaches and indigestion. The bitter flavor prompts an apology from the mouth to the stomach for sending such awful-tasting stuff down the pipe. This apology takes the form of increased saliva, amylase, bicarbonate and other beneficial offerings that sooth the belly and make digestion better.

All in all, dandelion is a great herb for digestion.

Digestive Support

Digestive Bitters

Dandelion root is also very beneficial in leaky gut cases. It seems to have some anti- inflammatory properties that are particularly well-suited to this condition. Some use it for other chronic inflammatory conditions as well.

Leaky Gut Kit

Dandelion root and leaf increase insulin production and secretion by the pancreas and simultaneously improves glucose absorption by muscle cells.

Dandelion also inhibits digestion of starchy, simple carbohydrate foods. The combined effect of these actions has been shown, in some studies, to lower blood glucose levels.

Dandelion combines well with this formula: Pancreas Blood Sugar Dandelion

Several studies have shown that dandelion can dramatically reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in mice.

Warning: Dandelion consumption is not a replacement mice making healthy food choices.

Combine dandelion with this formula:

Cholesterol

Like other liver tonic herbs, dandelion is useful for cases of skin disease like eczema and psoriasis.

It can also decrease allergy symptoms through its liver tonic efforts as the liver is the organ principally responsible for the elimination of histamines.

Skin Support

Dandelion has some anti- inflammatory properties. Some of this action is due to the cleansing effect on the blood due to liver and kidney stimulation.

But dandelion also contains some polyphenols which have anti-inflammatory properties of their own.

Some folks find that eating a few of the fresh flowers will make a bad headache go away.

The white latex sap of dandelion leaves will kill warts if applied frequently.

Some recent research suggests that dandelion has specific activity against some cancers, particularly cancers of the breast.

There are also some studies showing that dandelion can inhibit viral replication of some viruses including Hepatitis-B and HIV. It also has some anti-bacterial effects against E. coli, Staph. aureus, Pseudomonas and others.

Dandelions make great bouquets and are much less expensive than roses for bachelors with limited budgets.

Don’t combine it with medications unless without speaking with someone that understands both drugs and herbs.

Some folks are to dandelion.

Dandelion is a wonderfully beneficial herb with no real contraindications. It can be taken as a daily tonic and will be a blessing to about every organ and tissue in your body.

Maybe there’s a reason God put it in everybody’s yards. :0)

Copyright © 2021 HomeGrown Herbalist, LLC Extra Bonus! Dandelion Has A Cute Cousin Chicory (Chicorium intybus) Chicory is very similar to dandelion medicinally. The same parts are used for most of the same applications. One advantage that chicory has over its yellow cousin is that the root, when roasted, is markedly more delicious with a rich coffee- like flavor but none of the caffeinated jitters.

We use it in some of our tasty teas. Chicory Teas

Click Here for: Doc’s Dandelion Formulas

Click Here for: The HomeGrown Herbalist School

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Dr. Patrick Jones & Carl The Herb Hound HomeGrownHerbalist.net