Dandelion, A Common Spring Garden Herb

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. An 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…