Taraxacum officinale

Also, Known As:

• Blow Ball
• Cankerwort
• Dandelion
• Lion’s Tooth
• Pissabed
• Priest’s-crown
• Puff Ball
• Pu Gong Ying
• Pu-kung-ying
• Swine Snout
• Telltime
• White Endive
• Wild Endive

The dandelion is a common garden herb, with easily recognized flowers. During the spring season, the leaves and the root of the dandelion begin to produce mannitol, which is a substance utilized in the treatment of conditions such as hypertension and a weakened heart in continental Europe – where it is often prescribed by herbalist for patients with these conditions. A herbal dandelion tea made using the roots and the leaves of the herb are good to take from about the mid of March to about mid-May in the treatment of such conditions. Prepare the herbal dandelion tea in this way, first, boil a quart of water in a pot, slowly reduce the heat and then add 2 tbsp. of cleaned and chopped fresh…