College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Dandelion Root Herbal Powder (Taraxacum officianale)

Cold, bittersweet digestive, livotonic and cholagogue. Regulates blood sugar. Sweeter than Dandelion leaf, which is more bitter and a diuretic.

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Dandelion roots, dark and brown as the earth they grow in, are surprisingly white inside with a tinge of red. They seep with a thick, milky-white sap.

The roots have a much sweeter, earthen flavor than the leaves. Dandelion leaves have a stronger diuretic action and tend to be more bitter. While still predominantly Pitta and Kapha pacifying, the root's sweetness balances its cleansing properties, making it more tri-doshic.

Blood & Liver Cleansing

Dandelion Root's strong alterative and cholagogue qualities make it great for detoxing the liver and cleansing the blood in the early spring, which is Kapha season. The root doesn't stop at cleansing the liver, but its hepatoprotective qualities mean it also strengthens the liver.

In spring, your body releases a winter layer of insulating fats that clogs circulation throughout spring. Dandelion root is particularly good at cleansing your body of ‘thickened humors' and helps to move and flush stagnant bile by stimulating your liver, gallbladder, and digestive organs alike.

Another little known Prabhava, or special potency, of Dandelion is its use in resolving breast tumors and to enrich breast milk, which is noticed also amongst cows that graze on it. Taken in pregnancy and during breastfeeding, it can prevent infant jaundice and also help to clear presenting jaundice upon birth.

Its bitter properties improve fat metabolism generally.

Clears Heat

Dandelion leaf and root are also used in cases of deep, internal heat (long-lasting excess Pitta conditions) that has burnt the internal fluids into a thick reduction. Dandelion comes in like a ray of sunlight and cool relief to break the chain of this pattern.

Dandelion is traditionally used to resolve a "geographic tongue", or a tongue that is red and smoothe in places while being coated in others, giving it the appearance of a continental map.

The milky sap of the root is antiviral and has been historically used as a topical to treat warts. The white sap, oddly enough, can stain the skin brown when handled.

Wild Harvesting of Dandelion Roots

Children have long loved Dandelion for its gossamer plumes blown into the air with a wish. In times past, children would pick the thick pappus and blow the seeds: one time, two times, three. They would play this game to tell the hour of the day; Three blows to disperse all of the seeds would mean 3:00. It is also said that you can blow a message on the plumed seeds of a Dandelion to a loved one far away by facing the direction they are in while focusing on the words you want them to receive.

While dandelion leaves are harvested in spring when tender and fresh, like spring itself, the roots are harvested in the cooler months, with potency peaking in late fall, however, they can be collected deep into winter's bitter embrace. There is good reason to harvest the roots in early spring if you are seeking their high inulin, or soluble fiber, content which is abundant this time of year.

This medicinal Root can grow between ½-1 inch thick in diameter and lodge 1 foot into the soil! It is best to harvest in the second year of growth or beyond to get a good root specimen. Because the tap root of the Dandelion can go so deep into the ground, one plant can survive between five and ten years!

Medicinal Ode to Dandelion

By Lydia Steadman

Dandelion, yellow and bright
Tooth of the lion
Seeds that take flight
Liver satisfying

Leaves that drain water
Roots stimulate bile
Wet the bed at night
The juice is antiviral

Make into a decoction
Roast a coffee-like treat
Bitter and building
Whole plant you can eat

It may be very common
But it's never been banal
Love every part
of Taraxacum officinale

Dandelion is a potent medicine, flower to root, and was renowned by herbalists in written records as far back as the 10th century AD. Though it is known for its strong medicine, its thick yellow composite flowers and whimsical seed heads make it equally adored by children, and children at heart alike!
Ayurveda Dandelion Root Whole Plant Large

Ayurveda Dandelion Root Fruit Large

Ayurveda Dandelion Root Flower Large

Ayurveda Dandelion Root Leaf Large

Metabolic Nature of Dandelion Root

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

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COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIQUEFIED

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Pitta pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Vata aggravating

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

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PACIFIES
PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot and oily with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body. Vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

AGGRAVATES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

Other

Kidney Bladder Urinary, Liver Gallbladder,
Skin Care

SKIN-CARE

Includes skin care, and anything that nourishes epithelial membranes (of digestive, respiratory, urinary tract, blood vessels, etc).

SEE ALL 'SKIN-CARE' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Dandelion Root
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Internal Detoxicant

STRONG INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Antimicrobial

STRONG ANTIMICROBIAL

An agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.

SEE ALL 'ANTIMICROBIAL' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antipyretic

STRONG ANTIPYRETIC

Reduces a fever / febrifuge.

SEE ALL 'ANTIPYRETIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Alterative

STRONG ALTERATIVE

Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.

SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Hypotensive

HYPOTENSIVE

An herb that lowers blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'HYPOTENSIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Refrigerant

REFRIGERANT

An herb or substance that strongly cools the body. Can be helpful in cases of heat conditions.

SEE ALL 'REFRIGERANT' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Cholagogue

CHOLAGOGUE

Cholagogues stimulate the production & release of bile from the liver & gallbladder. This refreshes and cleanses these organs, as well as increases bile in the small intestines.

SEE ALL 'CHOLAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Hepatoprotective

HEPATOPROTECTIVE

An herb that is capable of preventing liver damage. Many hepatoprotectives work via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

SEE ALL 'HEPATOPROTECTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Livotonic

LIVOTONIC

An herb that strengthens the liver. It is helpful for people with a history of substance abuse, chronic liver issues from hepatitis and hemolytic anemias. Generally, liver tonics are oily, cool, sweet, mildly sour, or contain beta-carotene.

SEE ALL 'LIVOTONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Hypolipidemic

HYPOLIPIDEMIC

Scrapes fats / cleanses blood vessels by 1) purging bile, 2) strengthening the liver's ability to metabolize fats, 3) by increasing uptake of cholesterol in the liver, and 4) by inhibiting fat cells.

SEE ALL 'HYPOLIPIDEMIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Lowers Blood Sugar

LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR

An herb that lowers blood sugar.

SEE ALL 'LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Estrogenic

ANTI-ESTROGENIC

Reduces estrogen, which reduces thickness of the uterus endometrium, pelvic congestive disorders like fibroids, and frequently dysmenorrhea as well.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-ESTROGENIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Galactagogue

GALACTAGOGUE

Increases production of breast milk, often by raising prolactin and diaphoresis.

SEE ALL 'GALACTAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Inulin,
Iron

IRON

Iron is necessary for the transport of oxygen in red blood cells.

SEE ALL 'IRON' FOODS / HERBS

, Potassium

Foods with a Similar Nature to Dandelion Root

  • Dandelion Leaves

    Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Antimicrobial, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-estrogenic, Cholagogue, Hepatoprotective, Livotonic, Anti-inflammatory, Digestive, Hypolipidemic, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Burdock Root (Gobo)

    Burdock Root (Gobo) has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Antimicrobial, Hypolipidemic, Lowers-blood-sugar, Anti-estrogenic, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Livotonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Cilantro

    Cilantro has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Antipyretic, Diuretic, Refrigerant, Alterative, Cholagogue, Hypolipidemic

    LEARN MORE

  • Fenugreek

    Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Galactagogue, Lowers-blood-sugar, Anti-inflammatory, Digestive, Hypolipidemic, Antipyretic, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Turmeric Root (Fresh)

    Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Cholagogue, Hypolipidemic, Anti-inflammatory, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Antimicrobial, Hepatoprotective, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Turmeric

    Turmeric has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Cholagogue, Hypolipidemic, Anti-inflammatory, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Antimicrobial, Hepatoprotective, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Endive

    Endive has these Actions in Common

    Lowers-blood-sugar, Alterative, Hypolipidemic, Refrigerant, Anti-inflammatory, Internal-detoxicant, Cholagogue

    LEARN MORE

  • Kale

    Kale has these Actions in Common

    Anti-estrogenic, Hypolipidemic, Anti-inflammatory, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Cholagogue, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Chickweed

    Chickweed has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Hepatoprotective, Refrigerant, Anti-inflammatory, Hypolipidemic, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Cranberry

    Cranberry has these Actions in Common

    Refrigerant, Anti-inflammatory, Livotonic, Antimicrobial, Lowers-blood-sugar, Alterative, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Aloe Vera Juice / Gel

    Aloe Vera Juice / Gel has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Hypolipidemic, Antimicrobial, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Cholagogue, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Dandelion Root

  • Neem Leaf

    Neem Leaf has these Actions in Common

    Antipyretic, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Hypolipidemic, Alterative, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-estrogenic, Lowers-blood-sugar, Anti-inflammatory, Refrigerant, Antimicrobial

    LEARN MORE

  • Punarnava

    Punarnava has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Hypolipidemic, Hypotensive, Alterative, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Lowers-blood-sugar, Antimicrobial, Cholagogue, Digestive

    LEARN MORE

  • Bhumyamalaki

    Bhumyamalaki has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Livotonic, Anti-inflammatory, Cholagogue, Digestive, Diuretic, Hepatoprotective, Hypolipidemic

    LEARN MORE

  • Goldenseal

    Goldenseal has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Antipyretic, Cholagogue, Digestive, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Refrigerant, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Yarrow

    Yarrow has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Livotonic, Anti-estrogenic, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antipyretic, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Bhringaraj

    Bhringaraj has these Actions in Common

    Hypolipidemic, Hypotensive, Livotonic, Anti-inflammatory, Lowers-blood-sugar, Antimicrobial, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Hepatoprotective

    LEARN MORE

  • Yellow Dock

    Yellow Dock has these Actions in Common

    Refrigerant, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, Cholagogue, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Guduchi

    Guduchi has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Diuretic, Hepatoprotective, Internal-detoxicant, Livotonic, Lowers-blood-sugar, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Cornsilk

    Cornsilk has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Refrigerant, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Hepatoprotective, Hypotensive

    LEARN MORE

  • Milk Thistle

    Milk Thistle has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Antimicrobial, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Galactagogue, Hepatoprotective, Hypolipidemic, Livotonic

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

1/4 tsp in warm water or as directed by your practitioner.
See guidelines for herbs?
Follow these guidelines

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Dandelion Root may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Dandelion Root may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Dandelion Root. Please see your health care provider for more information.

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