Dandelion / Taraxacum Officinale (pu gong ying)  蒲公英

Nature: Cold; bitter and sweet; attributive to liver and stomach.

Characteristics: A very common perennial herb that grows wild in fields all over the world and has tooth-edged leaves and yellow flower. The whole plant is used as medicine.

Therapeutic effects: Clear away heat and detoxifying blood; weight-loss aid and diuretic; reduce swelling and dissolve clots. Suitable for food poisoning; inflammation of liver and gallbladder; kidney and gallbladder stones; tuberculosis and clots in lungs.

Clinical studies have shown dandelion extract to have protective effects against lipid peroxidation and free radicals, both damaging products of a poorly functioning liver. Like burdock, dandelion contains a wealth of nutrients important to liver function, especially the B vitamins. It cleanses the liver and increases the production of bile. Dandelion is often used as a herbal treatment for all liver diseases of the liver including hepatitis, cirrhosis and jaundice.