Blowing dandelion flower in spring seems a universal pleasure to kids from all over the world. With the help of the blow or the wind, its characteristic parachute-like seeds sometimes can be carried miles away and then generate new flowers there. However, this simple pleasure has been taken for granted for most adults, who are careful to only the health benefits that dandelion can bring. To the adult's joy, it is indeed an amazing herb regardless of who the users are. From the perspective of western medicine, it is often labeled as a "natural antibiotic". Coincidentally, in traditional Chinese medicine it has long been used as an antipyretic and an antidote to heat toxicity. As you can see, the western and oriental medicine seem have reached a similar conclusion on dandelion's medicinal uses.

Medicinally it refers to the whole dried grass of a variety of species of Taraxacum in the family Asteraceae. The main species include Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz, Taraxacum ohwianum Kitam., Taraxeamum jsinicum Kitag., Taraxacum erpyhropodium kitag., Taraxacum heterolepis Nakai et H..Koidz., Taraxacum asiatisc Dadlst.(T. leucan-thum, and more. These species are slightly different from the common dandelion, visually and medicinally. Other names of it include Herba Taraxaci, Pu Gong Ying, Dent-de-Lion, Lion's Teeth, Lion's Tooth, and so on. It is usually collected in summer and autumn when dandelion’s flowers are barely open. And then it needs to remove the impurities, wash with water, cut into segments, and dry in the sun.

DANDELION BENEFITS 
Now it is time to tell you the facts about dandelions. It is rich in minerals, especially potassium, sodium, phosphorus and iron. Dandelion leaves contain more vitamin A than carrots. Besides it contains some vitamin B, vitamin C and vitamin D too. The whole dandelion plant is edible – leaves can be stir-fried like spinach or made dandelion salad; dandelion root can be also consumed as a vegetable or as a coffee substitute. If you buy dandelion from Chinese medicinal herbs shop, using it to make tea or cook gruel can be a good idea since it is dried herb. In a word, eating dandelions in a long run can be helpful to many ailments, such as acute mastitis, lymphadenitis, boils and carbuncle, acute conjunctivitis, cold and fever, acute tonsillitis, acute bronchitis, gastritis, hepatitis, urinary tract infection, hot eyes, acute pharyngitis, difficult urination, and so on.

As a whole, dandelion herb can benefit in many ways. Also known as "bed-wetting weed", it is a good herbal diuretic. In Canada this herb is officially registered as a diuretic that can relieve edema; it cares your skin and helps hair growth too. Clinically it gets rid of premature graying, prevents hair loss, treats skin problems like acne and dermatitis, and removes pigmentation rashes/patches and freckle on forehead, nose, and cheeks; it has a strong bactericidal effect on the resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. For that reason, clinically it is widely used in a variety of respiratory diseases and gastroenteritis; it has a wealth of vitamins A and C and minerals. Drinking dandelion tea before meals can improve indigestion and constipation.

Dandelion

In addition, different parts of dandelion have their own focus medicinally. Leaf is good at improving eczema, relieving dermatitis, and getting rid of joint discomfort; root is skilled in treating gallstones and rheumatism because it has a very good anti-inflammatory effect; flower juice is adept at removing freckles.

DANDELION RECIPES ON HERBAL FORMULAS  
The Chinese Materia Medica says that dandelion is bitter and sweet in flavor and cold in properties. It covers meridians of liver and stomach. Major functions include clearing heat and removing fire toxicity, reducing abscesses, and dissipating nodules. Essential dandelion uses and indications are acute Mastitis, Lung Abscess, appendicitis, mumps, skin abscesses, furuncles, carbuncles, eye redness and swelling, cold and fever, cough, sore throat, stomach fire, enteritis, dysentery, hepatitis, cholecystitis, urinary tract infection, snake bite, and snake bite. Recommended dosage is from 10 to 30 grams in decoction, or 60 grams in large dose, in decoction. Besides, it can be also used in dandelion juice and powder.

1. Zhi Ru Bian Yong Fang from Wai Ke Zheng Zong (Orthodox Exogenous Illnesses). It is smashed and used with wine externally and internally to treat the beginning of mastitis that is painful, swollen, but with no pus.

2. Ying Teng Tang from Dong Tian Ao Zhi (Profound Essence of the Heaven). It is combined with Ren Dong Teng (Honeysuckle Stem) and Gan Cao (Licorice Root) to cure the initial stage of acute mastitis.

3. Er Wei Shen Xian Yi Zui Shi Xiao San from Wan Shi Mi Chuan Wai Ke Xin Fa (Wan’s Esoteric Heart Methods on Treating Exogenous Illnesses). It is coupled with Honeysuckle Stem to heal carbuncle on the back and suppurative mastitis.