Dandelion

Dandelion-400x266 Usually regarded as a common garden weed, the dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis L.) belongs to the chicory family. With spatula-shaped leaves that are shiny, hairy and deeply serrated, it can grow as high as 30cm.

Its single yellow flower blooms throughout the growing season, opening at dawn and closing at dusk. Once the flower has matured the plant forms a puffball of seeds that are dispersed by the wind, or blown away by children!

History of Use

Folk healers have long prescribed dandelion root for liver and digestive problems, and the leaf for fluid retention. It is first mentioned in Western medicine in the Ortus Sanitatis, a health guide written in 1485.

It is thought to have been named dandelion by a 15th century surgeon known only as Master Wilhelm, who compared the jagged shape of the leaves to a lion’s tooth dens lionis. Its botanical name, however, actually originates from the Arabic word tarakhaqun, which means wild chicory.

In France, the leaves have long been eaten in salads where it is called pissenlit – a reference to its history as a diuretic. The old English word is pissabed or piddlybeds. Master Willhelm described the dandelion as a cooling herb as do the Chinese, who have used it as a medicine since the 7th century.

Since April 2014, all herbal medicines for sale in the UK and Europe must be approved by the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) having been rigorously checked for safety and quality. They must also display the Traditional Herbal Registration ‘THR’ logo on their pack.

Registered herbal medicines containing dandelion are used today to relieve the symptoms of mild digestive disorders, such as dyspepsia and flatulence and temporary loss of appetite based on traditional use.

Top Tip

Want to know what the weather is up to?
Dandelion flowers open in fine weather but close when rain is on the way.

The following products contain Dandelion


  • Digestisan Oral Drops
    Digestisan Oral Drops
    Digestisan is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve indigestion and feelings of fullness and flatulence associated with over-indulgence in food or drink or both. Based on traditional use only.
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  • HRI Water Balance
    HRI Water Balance
    HRI Water Balance is a traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of mild water retention. Based on traditional use only.
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