Dugdha Pheni/Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
This herb is known as dudhali in Hindi and lion’s tooth, puffball in English. It belongs to family Asteraceae or Parpatadi Varga in Raj Nighantu, Ayurveda. It is native to Eurasia and North America, but now propagates as wildflowers in temperate regions all over the world. This plant takes an important place among honey producing plants, as it furnishes considerable quantities of both pollen and nectar in early spring, when the bee harvest from fruit trees is almost over.
Plant description: It is a small shrub that grows to an altitude of 15,000 feet. It is a perennial plant and can be found growing in lawns and along roadsides with moist soils. Also visible amidst the yellow ray florets is the fine white fibers that connect to the ovules and become the fluffy white sails that carry the seeds on the wind. The leaves and hollow flower stems grow from a basal rosette. The roots and the stems contain a milky latex which leaves a brown stain on the hands.
Ayurvedic pharmacology: Rasa- Tikta, Katu Guna- Laghu, Ruksha, Teekshna Veerya- Ushna Vipaak- Katu Dosha Karma- Kaphapitta Shamak
Chemical composition: Latex from root and stems contains a bitter sesquiterpene lactone. Leaves contain sesquiterpene lactone, triterpenes and sterols. Vitamin A content in the plant is higher than carrots.
Therapeutically useful parts: Root, stem. and leaves
Therapeutic uses: Decoction of the plant is used to treat indigestion, intestinal worm infestation, burning micturition, insect bite, general debility and hepatitis in the dose of 25 to 30 ml. Fresh juice of the leaves is used to treat fever and diabetes mellitus in the dose of 15 to 20 ml. Paste of the leaves and roots is used to treat eczema. The roasted roots are largely used as a drink like coffee.
Precaution: This herb contains lot of potassium and renal patients should take it cautiously.
Dr. Pratibha Mamgain, Dept. of Ayurvedic Medicine