Dandelion Herb – 1 lb (454 g)

Dandelion Herb, known in Chinese as 蒲公英 (Púgōngyīng) and scientifically as Herba Taraxaci, is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This TCM herb has been traditionally used to support natural wellness, maintain vitality, and encourage holistic balance. At TCMforyou.com, we provide premium-quality Dandelion Herb carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Dandelion Herb helps promote overall well-being and supports natural energy, immunity, and balance. Integrating this herb into your wellness routine offers a gentle, time-tested approach to enhancing daily health. Whether brewed as tea, added to herbal remedies, or taken as part of a TCM formula, Dandelion Herb provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Dandelion Herb has been used in TCM to harmonize the body and encourage optimal functioning of key systems. At TCMforyou, we prioritize authenticity and quality. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency, delivering an herbal product aligned with traditional practices.

Experience the natural support of Dandelion Herb, promoting immune health, vitality, and holistic well-being. Embrace the wisdom of TCM and incorporate this gentle, effective herbal remedy into your daily wellness journey.

[Overview] This herb is also known as Pugongcao, Huanghua Diding, Huanghua Cao, and Pugongding. It is the whole herb of plants from the Asteraceae family, including Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz., Taraxacum sinicum Kitag., or several other species of the same genus. It is widely distributed across most regions of China. The herb is harvested from spring to autumn when the flowers first bloom, then impurities are removed, it is washed clean, and dried in the sun.

[Properties] Bitter and sweet in taste, cold in nature. Enters the liver and stomach meridians.

[Actions] Clears heat and detoxifies, reduces abscesses and dissipates nodules, promotes urination and unblocks strangury.

[Applications]
1. Used for heat toxin-induced abscesses, carbuncles, and sores. It can be used alone or combined with herbs such as Lonicera japonica (Jinyinhua), Viola yedoensis (Zihuadiding), and Commelina communis (Ziqingbeitiankui), as in formulas like Wuwei Xiaodu Yin. This herb is especially effective for treating breast abscesses; at the early stage of breast abscess with redness, heat, swelling, hardness, burning pain, it can be used alone, both internally and externally.
2. Used for lung abscess and intestinal abscess. For early-stage lung abscess with cough and chest pain, it can be combined with Platycodon grandiflorus (Jiegeng), Scrophularia ningpoensis (Xuanshen), and Lonicera japonica (Jinyinhua), as in the formula Xuantiansan; for lung abscess with ulceration, lung qi deficiency, and abundant heat toxin with coughing of foul-smelling pus and blood, it can be combined with Panax ginseng, Lonicera japonica, Trichosanthes kirilowii (Tianhuafen), and Platycodon grandiflorus, as in Wanfeisan. For intestinal abscess, if pus is not yet formed, it can be combined with Rheum palmatum (Dahuang) and Paeonia suffruticosa (Mudanpi); if pus is formed, it can be combined with Patrinia scabiosifolia (Baijiangcao), Coix lacryma-jobi (Yiyiren), and Rubia cordifolia (Hongteng).
3. Used for damp-heat jaundice and strangury. For damp-heat jaundice, it can be combined with Artemisia capillaris (Yinchen) and Gardenia jasminoides (Zhizi); for painful strangury with heat, it can be combined with Phellodendron amurense (Huangbai), Plantago asiatica (Cheqianzi), and Imperata cylindrica (Baimaogen).
Additionally, it can be used for scrofula and phlegm nodules, often combined with Cyperus rotundus (Xiangfu), Curcuma phaeocaulis (Shancigu), and Eupatorium japonicum (Daji). In recent years, dandelion has been frequently used in the treatment of various cancers with certain efficacy.

[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decoction, 9–15 g; juice extracted by crushing or incorporated into powders. External use: appropriate amount, crushed and applied topically.

[Cautions] Contraindicated in cases without real heat and in yin sores.

[Modern Research]
1. Chemical Constituents: The whole herb contains taraxasterol, choline, inulin, pectin, and other components.
2. Pharmacological Actions: Decoctions of dandelion show inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella flexneri, Salmonella paratyphi A, Candida albicans, Brucella abortus, among others; aqueous extracts inhibit fungi such as Trichophyton violaceum, Trichophyton concentricum, Microsporum ferrugineum, and others. Dandelion alkaloids inhibit and kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Hot water extracts inhibit mouse Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, sarcoma S180, and MM46 tumors; triterpenoids inhibit Raji cells cultured from lymphoma patients and exhibit anti-promoting carcinogenic activity against certain carcinogens. Double decoction protects rats from stress ulcers, significantly reducing gastric mucosal damage, ulcer incidence, and ulcer index; it also markedly reduces serum alanine aminotransferase and alleviates hepatic steatosis caused by carbon tetrachloride.
3. Clinical Reports:
1) Epidemic parotitis: Fresh dandelion leaves and roots were collected, washed, chopped, dried, and ground into fine powder. Dosage: over 4 years old, 3 g three times daily; under 4 years old, 2 g three times daily. Among 50 cases treated, 38 (76%) had temperature reduction within 24 hours; the remaining 12 normalized temperature after 3 days, with complete resolution of parotid swelling and redness at the duct opening. Seven cases with testicular swelling also resolved, with restored spirit and appetite; all were cured. [Chinese Community Physician, 2002, 18(11):32]
2) Small area burns with infection: Fresh dandelion was washed, chopped, crushed, mixed with a small amount of 75% ethanol to form a paste, and applied directly to wounds. Among 51 cases, 49 healed, with an efficacy rate of 96.07%. [Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, 1987, 7(5):301]
3) Peptic ulcer: 20 g dandelion soaked in boiling water for 30 minutes, taken as tea, one dose daily. Among 91 cases, 51 cured, 35 improved, 5 ineffective; total effective rate 94.5%. [Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1991, (1):41]
4) Pediatric constipation: 60–90 g dandelion decocted for 20–30 minutes to 50–100 ml, sweetened with sugar or honey, taken once daily. Among 30 cases, 4 cured after 3 doses, 18 after 5 doses, 8 after 9 doses; cure rate 100%. [Intermediate Medical Journal, 1987, 22(6):54]
5) Otitis media: Fresh dandelion and peeled cactus in equal parts were washed, crushed for juice, and stored. After cleaning ear secretions with 3% hydrogen peroxide cotton balls, 2–4 drops of the juice were instilled 2–3 times daily. Among 32 cases, all cured. [Jilin Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1993, (2):28]
6) Helicobacter pylori-positive chronic superficial gastritis: Treatment group took 30 g dandelion soaked in water, orally on an empty stomach three times daily; control group received standard triple western therapy. Among 44 cases in treatment group, 34 markedly effective (77.3%), 7 effective (15.9%), 3 ineffective (6.8%), total effective rate 93.2%; control group 44 cases, 35 markedly effective (79.59%), 7 effective (15.9%), 2 ineffective (4.5%), total effective rate 95.5%. No significant difference between groups in efficacy or Hp eradication and symptom relief. [Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, 2002, 22(3):230]