DANDELION
Taraxacum is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. They are native to Eurasia and North and South America, and two species, T. officinale and T. erythrospermum, are found as weeds worldwide. Both species are edible in their entirety.The common name dandelion [ "lion's tooth"] is given to members of the genus, and like other members of the Asteraceae family, they have very small flowers collected together into a composite flower head.
USES OF DANDELION
USES OF DANDELION
- Dandelion is an herb. People use the above ground parts and root to make medicine.
- Dandelion is used for loss of appetite, upset stomach, intestinal gas, gallstones, joint pain, muscle aches, eczema, and bruises. Dandelion is also used to increase urine production and as a laxative to increase bowel movements. It is also used as skin toner, blood tonic, and digestive tonic.
- Some people use dandelion to treat infection, especially viral infections, and cancer.
- In foods, dandelion is used as salad greens, and in soups, wine, and teas. The roasted root is used as a coffee substitute.