Dugdhapheni

Botanical name

Taraxacum officinale

Family name

Asteraceae

Identification No: SDACH/HG/249

Vernacular names

• Hindi: Kanphool, Kukraundha
• English: Dandelion
• Marathi: Dudhali
• Bengali: Dudhiya
• Tamil: Sirupilai

Classification according to Charak, Sushruta, Vagbhata & Bhav Prakash

Not classically categorized in Charaka/Sushruta texts; however, modern Ayurvedic texts and Nighantus include it under:

• Tikta rasa pradhana dravya
• Pittashamak & Raktashodhak dravyas

Habitat & Distribution

Native to Europe and Asia; now widespread globally. Grows abundantly in temperate climates, grasslands, meadows, and roadsides. Found in parts of northern India and Himalayan regions.

Morphology

• Root: Taproot, stout, and dark brown outside
• Leaves: Rosette-forming, deeply toothed
• Flowers: Yellow, ligulate florets in capitulum
• Latex: White, milky
• Fruit: Achene with a pappus aiding wind dispersal

Varieties

No officially recognized Ayurvedic varieties, but several botanical varieties are known globally (e.g., Taraxacum erythrospermum).

Substitute/ Adulterant

• Substitute: Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
• Adulterants: Other Asteraceae plants with similar morphology

Phytochemicals

• Taraxasterol
• β-amyrin
• Inulin
• Sesquiterpene lactones
• Flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin)
• Phenolic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic acid)

Raspanchaka

• Rasa: Tikta, Kashaya
• Guna: Laghu, Ruksha
• Virya: Sheeta
• Vipaka: Katu
• Prabhava: Raktashodhak
• Dosha Shamakta: Pitta–Kapha hara

Karma – Rogaghnata

• Raktaprasadana
• somyvirachana
• Yakrit uttejak (hepatostimulant)
• Mutrala
• Deepana
• Shothahara
• Krimighna
• Vrana ropana

Amayika Prayoga / Therapeutic Uses

External

• Skin eruptions (latex used)
• Wound healing (poultice of leaves)
• Anti-inflammatory applications

Internal

• Liver disorders (jaundice, hepatitis)
• Digestive weakness, loss of appetite
• Dysuria
• Skin diseases (due to blood purification)
• Rheumatism, arthritis
• Constipation (due to mild laxative action)

Part used

• Root
• Leaves
• Flowers
• Latex

Dose

• Root powder: 4–12 g
• Leaf decoction: 30–50 ml
• Fresh juice: 10–20 ml

Yoga / Formulations

Often used as a single drug therapy in herbal decoctions

• Used in polyherbal liver tonics (proprietary formulations)
• Taraxacum extract capsules, teas, and tinctures (OTC)

IUCN Status

Least Concern.

Research Updates

1. Hepatoprotective activity:
   A 2021 study in Journal of Ethnopharmacology showed that dandelion root extract significantly reduced liver enzyme levels in CCl₄-induced liver injury in rats.
2. Antidiabetic potential:
   A 2020 study published in Phytomedicine demonstrated that dandelion leaf extract improved insulin sensitivity and reduced fasting glucose in type 2 diabetic models.
3. Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory properties:
   A 2022 meta-analysis in Frontiers in Pharmacology confirmed that Taraxacum officinale exhibits significant free radical scavenging activity and downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α).