Botanical Name: Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wiggers.
Family: Compositae; Asteraceae
Introduction:
Compositeae (composite head of tiny flowers). Latin name: Taraxacum = Dandelion – possibly a reference to medicinal qualities; officinale = available in market.
Names in different Indian languages
| English | Common Dandelion, blow ball |
|---|---|
| Hindi | Dudhal, kanphul |
| Kannada | Kadusevanti |
| Malayalam | Dugdhapheni |
| Sanskrit | Dugdhapheni |
| Tamil | |
| Telugu | Patri |
| Unani | Kaanful, Kaasani Dashti, Kaasani Sahraayi |
| Folk |
Synonyms
Dugdh-pheni, Luutaari, Payaswani, Dudhali
Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata
| Charaka | |
|---|---|
| Susrutha | |
| Vagbhata |
Varieties & adulterants – (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)
Morphology
This is a shrub which survives for many years. Leaves – emerges from the base of the stem, just above the roots.
Leaves are 7-10 cms. long and torn.
Flowers – yellow, 7.25 to 10 cm long, appear at the end of flower stalk. Milky white latex oozes out from all the parts of the plant.
Distribution & Habitat
Himalayas, Tibet, Nilgiri
Chemical constituents:
beta-sitosterol, beta-sitosterol-glucosides, taraxasterol, psi-taratexol , taraxol, vitamin A
Properties:
Guna: laghu, ruksha, tikshna;
Rasa: tikta;
Vipaka: katu;
Virya :ushna;
Karma –
Mutralam
Liver tonic, carminative, digestive,astingent,cooling,diuretic
Srotogamitva:
Dosha: Kaphaghna, pittaghna.
Dhatu Rasapachan, rakta (jaundice), rasayana.
Mala: Mutra (dysuria).
Indication:
Vrana
Ulcers, wounds, fever, skin disease
Part used:
Whole plant , resin
Dosage:
Leaf juice 10-15 ml
Powder 2-4 g
Decoction 50-100 ml
uses:
External uses : Its application is very useful in chronic non healing ulcers.
Internal uses : Since it is an appetizer, hepatic stimulant, cholagogue, purgative and antimicrobial, it is useful in loss of appetite, jaundice, ascites etc.
Its rejuvenating, blood purifying and diuretic action is useful in oedema, skin diseases, inflammation and anuria. It is beneficial in chronic fever, general debility and poisoning
