Steinmetz:Taraxacum

Taraxacum officinale

Also known as (or relevant to) Taraxacum officinale Leontodon taraxacum Taraxacum dens-leonis Family Compositae English Names Dandelion Cankerwort Natural Habitat Europe North America Himalaya Asia China Part(s) Used Herba Taraxaci Radix Taraxaci

Constituent(s) inosite (in the leaves and stalks not in the roots) taraxacin (bitter principle) taraxacerin levulin inulin mucilage tannin pectin sugar cholin taraxastirol mannite essential oil resin gum caoutchouc albumen calcium salts potash gluten provitamine A (carotin) vitamin B C and D Action herb: diuretic depurative alterative cholagogue; root: laxative diuretic tonic depurative hepatic roasted and ground root is used to flavour coffee

Links

• Information in Von Esenbeck's book