Names:

  • General: Dandelion, Lion’s teeth, Priest’s crown, Monk’s head
  • Hausa: Mai-rikon-kashi, Rikon-kashi, Mai-rikon-kashi, Rikon-kashi
  • Igbo: Agamebu, Agamevu, Ukwo-Akara
  • Yoruba: Efo yanrin, Ewe Oyinbo, ewe yarin

Description:

It is a perennial plant that is considered a weed by many gardeners that can be found on roadsides, banks and shores of water ways and other areas with moist soils. It grows from generally unbranched taproots and produces 1-10 stems (or more) that can grow up to 60cm tall. The taproot is sturdy, fleshy, and brittle and is dark brown on the outside, with whitish inside and could get up to 100cm in length. The roots can produce new plants even when the plant is cut at or below the soil surface.

The large, long, polished, hairless, and light to dark green leaves (5-40 cm long and 1–10 cm wide) are gathered in a rose like manner at the bottom of the plant and are deeply serrated at ground level. Leaves grow from the highest end of the root at ground level, and it has a short stem that are upright or lax. The leaves have petioles that may or may not be winged and the foliage may be upright-growing or horizontally spreading. The leaves are about 5–45 cm long and 1–10 cm wide, and are oblanceolate, oblong, or obovate in shape, with the bases gradually narrowing to the petiole. The leaf margins are typically shallowly lobed to deeply lobed and often lacerate or toothed with sharp or dull teeth.

The flowering stalks are upstanding, leafless hollow stems, which emerge from the center of the rosette, measuring about 5-40 cm long, and carrying a solitary, terminal inflorescence. Each plant develops 5-10 flowers and the fluorescence ranges from 7 to 15 mm in diameter and is composed of 140-400 yellow, ligulate florets that are bisexual. When the florets ripen, they create downy seeds, which are easily scattered by the wind. The fruits are conical achenes, brown and crowned by a white, hairy pappus, which allows the seeds to be distributed by wind. The fruits, called cypselae, range in color from olive-green or olive-brown to straw-colored to grayish, they are oblanceoloid in shape and measure about 2–3 mm long with slender beaks. The fruits have 4 to 12 ribs that have sharp edges and are cotton-like with many seeds. The silky pappi, which form the parachutes, are white to silver-white in color and about 6 mm wide.

Cultivation/Propagation

  • It is propagated by seeds, which are dispersed by the wind over long distances. It grows usually as a weed but can be intentionally grown by the sowing the seeds on the soil surface or slightly covered with earth. The seeds germinate within 10 days.

Medicinal Benefits

  • Possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, immune-stimulatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-oxidant, antihypertensive, anti-diabetic, geno-protective, diuretic, kidney-protective, hepato-protective, neuro-protective, anti-depressant, lung-protective, pancreas-protective, anti-skin aging, antiarthritic, antiobesity, and exerting a positive influence on dyslipidemia, hematological profile, stomach motility, fatigue, and bifidobacteria (healthy bacteria found in the intestines that aid digestion. Prevent infections, and produce important compounds like vitamin B and healthy fatty acids).
  • Preparations of the leaves or roots are non-potassium depleting diuretic useful for treating fluid retention, cystitis, nephritis, and hepatitis, and obstructions of the bladder, gall bladder, kidney, pancreas and spleen obstructions, as well as for snakebites, colon cleansing, nonspecific heart distress, and cooling energy (to “cool out excess liver functions”).
  • Rich in phytochemicals; flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, carotenoids, xanthophylls, chlorophyll, beta-carotene, vitamins A, C, D, K, B6, many of the B-complex vitamins,; calcium, iron, magnesium, copper, silicon, manganese, sodium, zinc, etc.
  • It protects skin, cleanses liver, treats acne, prevents premature aging, boosts immunity, stimulates hair growth, treats greasy hair, controls weight gain,
  • The plant’s leaves and roots are used to aid digestion, stimulate appetite, promote bowel health and used for the treatment of colitis. 
  • The root is known for its ability to support liver health by promoting bile production, which helps detoxify the body.
  • The antioxidants present in dandelion help combat oxidative stress, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
  • The latex-containing sap is a styptic and combats acne, boils, diabetes, eczema and warts.
  • Supports liver and kidney function and protects against cirrhosis of the liver and cancer.
  • The root is a rich source of inulin and is used for the management of diabetes.  
  • May help lower blood sugar and cholesterol.

Other Benefits:

  • The roots aerate hard packed soil thus and create pathways for water to enter and helps to improve soil quality as the roots draw minerals up from deep layers of earth and concentrates them in the whole plant; when the plant dies back, it deposits these minerals on topsoil.
  • The extracts are used as flavor components in various food products, including alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, frozen dairy desserts, candy, confectionaries, puddings, salads, sandwiches, and cheese.
  • The flowers are used to make wine, tea and jelly; and the young buds can be boiled, pickled, sautéed, or cooked in fritters.
  • They can be used in natural dyeing processes, producing a yellow dye from the flowers and a magenta dye from the roots.
  • The plant is an important food source for pollinators, especially bees, in seasons when other flowers are scarce.
  • The blossoms can be eaten fresh, and are sweetest when picked early in the season.
  • The roots can be dried and roasted to make a caffeine-free coffee substitute.
  • It is used in companion planting to repel pests, and attracts pollinators
  • The Leaves are consumed fresh as salad or cooked like spinach.

How it is used as Medicine:

  • It is better to harvest the plant during the rains to reduce the bitterness. When harvested from the wild, it is advisable to harvest plants that are in areas that have not been polluted by agro/industrial chemicals to avoid contamination. The plant can be dried for future use when desired.
  • The root is infused in water and taken as tea (sweeteners can be added to reduce the bitterness) to serve many medicinal functions, including:
    • Promote elimination of excess uric acid, which can cause tissues to become more inflamed and reactive, potentially leading to allergies, hay fever, and gout.
    • Support the body to get rid of waste products; support the liver in breaking down dietary toxins, drugs, hormones, and metabolic waste.
    • Balancing of blood sugar, aiding of digestion, diuresis, laxative effect, cleansing of the liver, prevention of urinary tract infections.
    • Serve as a laxative by stimulating bile production and release, which helps to stimulate peristalsis and break down fats.
    • Help the liver to preferentially make high quality fats (HDL) versus poor quality fats (LDL and VLDL). 
    • Support the treatment arthritis, acne, psoriasis, hepatitis, and pre-menstrual syndrome.
  • The dried roots can be blended and the powder used for the following:
    • Mixed with warm water and used as a poultice and applied to affected body parts for at least twenty minutes and repeated as necessary, for the treatment of acne, eczema, and psoriasis, as well as some unidentified skin irregularities.
    • As an ingredient to add to other foods and veggies to derive the benefits of the roots.
  • The leaves can be eaten, dried and made into tea, powdered and placed in capsules, or infused in vinegar. In whatever form, the leaves are taken for the following:
    • As diuretic to help the kidneys to excrete excess water in the body.
    • As a laxative.
  • The flower oil is used for the following:
    • Used topically for inflammation, sore muscles, and arthritic joints.
    • Used for cleaning the skin and added to cosmetics.
  • The milky white sap from the plant serves the following functions:
    • Treatment of warts when applied topically.
    • Healing of wounds of the skin. 
  • Tinctures can be made out of the whole plant or parts, by using 1:1 ratio of liquor to root or desired plant part. Whiskey/vodka or drink with same alcoholic equivalence is good. The leaves or any part can be used in similar manner.
  • Fresh or dried dandelion can be added to apple cidar vinegar, allowed to infuse into the vinegar for six weeks, while stored in a cool dry place before it is strained.
  • You can add fresh or dried dandelion root to things you regularly eat, such as smoothies, for a nutritional boost.

Reported Side Effects/Caution:

  • Those with diabetes mellitus, kidney problems, gallbladder issues; those taking certain medications, such as diuretics, blood thinners, lithium, or taking ACE inhibitors should seek professional healthcare advice before using this herb.  
  • Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a healthcare professional before using this herb.
  • Anyone allergic to latex should also avoid handling fresh dandelions because of the latex in sap.
  • Excessive consumption may cause stomach upset

References: