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
- 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. - 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. - 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).
