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Herb Of The Week - Dandelion - King's

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From King's American Dispensatory by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and

John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D., 1898. It is a wonderful book.

 

Also available online in E-book form at Henriette Kress' Herbal Page:

http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/main.html

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/xhtmlpics/line.gif>

 

 

Taraxacum (U. S. P.)—Taraxacum.

 

 

" The root of Taraxacum officinale, Weber, gathered in autumn " —(U. S. P.)

(Leontodon taraxacum, Linné; Taraxacum Dens-leonis, Desfontaines;

Taraxacum vulgare, Schrank).

Nat. Ord.—Compositae.

COMMON NAMES AND SYNONYM: Dandelion, Dandelion root; Taraxaci radix.

ILLUSTRATION: Bentley and Trimen, Med. Plants, 159.

 

Botanical Source.—This plant is an herb with a perennial, tap-shaped,

very milky root, with a dull-brownish epidermis. The leaves are radical,

numerous, spreading, of a bright, shining green, quite smooth, tapering

downward, sessile, pinnatifid, with runcinate, sharp, unequally toothed

lobes. The scape or flower-stem is longer than the leaves, erect, round,

smooth, brittle, naked, hollow, 5 or 6 inches in height, and bears a

single, yellow head. The flowers are of a uniform golden-yellow, in

round heads, 1 1/2 inches in diameter, expanding in the morning and fine

weather only. Involucre double; external scales small, closely pressed,

and spreading or reflexed; internal ones in one row, erect, and linear;

all frequently callous-horned at the apex. Florets numerous,

strap-shaped, equal, and 5-toothed. Stamens with hair-like filaments.

Receptacle naked, convex, and dotted. Ovary obovate; style slender and

cylindrical; stigmas 2, revolute. Achenia oblong, ribbed, roughened on

the ribs, apex prolonged into a very slender, thread-like beak, bearing

the pappus of copious, soft, and white capillary bristles. After

blossoming the inner involucre closes for a time, the slender beak

elongates and raises up the pappus while the fruit is forming, the whole

involucre is then reflexed, exposing to the wind the naked fruits, with

the pappus displayed in an open globular head, nearly 2 inches in

diameter (L.—G.—W.).

 

History and Description.—This plant is a native of Greece, but is now

found growing abundantly in Europe and this country, in fields, gardens,

and along roadsides, flowering from April to November. There are some

other species recognized by botanists, that appear to possess the same

medicinal powers. The young leaves are frequently used as a salad or

greens. The whole plant, when broken or wounded, exudes a white, bitter

juice, the sensible qualities of which are said to be greater during

period of inflorescence. The root only is the official part, and should

be collected while the plant is in flower, or preferably in autumn. When

recent, it is from 3 to 5 inches or more in length, from 3 to 9 lines in

diameter, tap-shaped, fleshy, dull-yellow or brownish externally, white

internally, inodorous, and bitter. As found dried in pharmacy, it is

considerably diminished in size, having lost more than half its weight,

and corrugated lengthwise. As required by the U. S. P., it is slightly

conical, about 30 Cm. (12 inches) long, and 1 or 2 Cm. (2/5 to 4/5 inch)

thick above, crowned with several short, thickish heads, somewhat

branched, dark-brown, longitudinally wrinkled, when dry breaking with a

short fracture, showing a yellowish, porous central axis, surrounded by

a thick, white bark, containing numerous milk-vessels, arranged in

concentric circles; inodorous, bitter. It should be free from the root

of Cichorium Intybus, Linné (Nat. Ord.—Compositae), which closely

resembles it, but is usually paler, and has the milk-vessels in

radiating lines " —(U. S. P.). Dandelion root should preferably be used in

the recent state. Drying, as well as long boiling, impairs its virtues.

Alcohol or boiling water extracts its properties.

 

Chemical Composition.—Taraxacum root contains inulin, the quantities of

which vary considerably with the season. Dragendorff (1870) found 24 per

cent in root collected in October, and only 1.74 per cent in root

collected in March, shortly before blooming, at which season the milky

juice is abundant. The root also contains variable quantities of

reducing sugar (17 per cent in March), and laevulin (18.7 per cent).

(See constituents at various seasons, by L. E. Savre, in Proc. Amer.

Pharm. Assoc., 1893, p. 82; also paper, by Charles Symes, in Pharm.

Jour. Trans., Vol. X, 1872, p. 361.) Other constituents of taraxacum

root are a resin, soluble in chloroform and ether, insoluble in alcohol;

a resin soluble in alcohol; taraxacerin of Kromayer (1861), a white waxy

substance, crystallizing in cauliflower-like formations, and taraxacin

(Polex, 1839), a bitter, amorphous principle, which, in concentrated

solutions, forms precipitates with a number of alkaloidal reagents.

Kromayer obtained these two principles from the inspissated milky juice

of the root (leontodonium) by treating it with hot water. This leaves

taraxacerin undissolved, which may then be obtained pure by

recrystallization from hot alcohol. Prof. Sayre (Proc. Amer. Pharm.

Assoc., 1897, p. 223) assigns to it the formula C9H15O. The aqueous

extract of leontodonium contains the bitter principle; this is

abstracted by charcoal, and the latter boiled out with alcohol. The

latter is distilled off, the residue dissolved in water, precipitated by

means of basic lead acetate, the lead removed from the filtrate by

hydrogen sulphide, and the solution evaporated to dryness, and an acrid

resin removed by ether. The residue is bitter taraxacin. (For a

bibliography of taraxacum, see L. E. Sayre, Proc. Amer. Pharm. Assoc.,

1876, p. 16-5.) A. van Zwaluwenburg and M. Gomberg (Proc. Amer. Pharm.

Assoc., 1899, p. 305) also observed the presence of minute quantities of

a substance giving alkaloidal reactions; however, the authors doubt its

alkaloidal nature. Other constituents of taraxacum root, at least of

partly fermented extracts, are calcium lactate and mannite. The leaves

and stems, according to Marmé (1864), contain the sugar inosite. The

incinerated root leaves 5 to 7 percent of ash.

 

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—Dandelion root, when dried, possesses

but little medicinal virtue; when recent, it is a stomachic and tonic,

with slightly diuretic and aperient actions. It has long been supposed

to exert an influence upon the biliary organs, removing torpor and

engorgement of the liver as well as of the spleen. It is also reputed

beneficial in dropsies, owing to want of action of the abdominal organs,

in uterine obstructions, chronic diseases of the skin, and impairment of

the digestive functions. It should not be used by those whose digestive

organs are weak, as it is apt to occasion dyspepsia, flatulence, pain,

and diarrhoea. The addition of cream of tartar to its decoction will

render it more diuretic and laxative. Prof. King states that, as far as

his experience with this article had gone, he thought its virtues had

been overrated. Nevertheless, it is a slow, but efficient agent when

properly prepared for use. The existence of an irritable condition of

the stomach or bowels, or acute inflammation, contraindicate its

employment. Dose of the decoction, 1 to 2 fluid ounces; of the extract,

from 5 to 30 grains; of a strong tincture of the fresh root ( troy ounce

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/xhtmlpics/troyounce.gif> viii to

alcohol, 76 per cent, Oj), from 1 to 30 drops.

 

Specific Indications and Uses.—Loss of appetite, weak digestion, hepatic

torpor, and constipation.

 

 

 

 

Pilulae Taraxaci Compositae.—Compound Pills of Dandelion.

 

 

Preparation.—Take of bloodroot, in powder, 1 drachm; resin of

podophyllum, 10 grains; extract of dandelion, 1 drachm; oil of

spearmint, 5 minims. Mix the powder with the extract, add the oil, beat

up thoroughly together, and divide into 50 pills.

 

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—Laxative, nauseant, and diuretic. They

are of much efficacy in jaundice, hepatic diseases, and affections of

the kidneys. The dose is 1 or 2 pills, 3 times a day, sufficient to

produce a slight sensation of nausea. This pill is superior to the one

made after the old formula (T. V. Morrow, M. D.).

 

 

 

Decoctum Taraxaci.—Decoction of Dandelion.

 

 

Preparation.—Slice and bruise 1 ounce (av.) of dried dandelion root, and

boil it in 1 pint (Imp.) of distilled water for 10 minutes; strain, and

pour upon the residue in the strainer enough distilled water to make the

finished product measure 1 pint (Imp.). This is in accordance with the

British Pharmacopoeia. A little orange peel added at the end of the

boiling period, is said to increase its usefulness. It does not keep

well and must be freshly prepared.

 

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—(See

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/taraxacum.html>

Taraxacum.) This may be employed as a vehicle for the simple bitters.

The dose is about 2 fluid ounces before meals.

 

Preparation.—Take of bloodroot, in powder, 1 drachm; resin of

podophyllum, 10 grains; extract of dandelion, 1 drachm; oil of

spearmint, 5 minims. Mix the powder with the extract, add the oil, beat

up thoroughly together, and divide into 50 pills.

 

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—Laxative, nauseant, and diuretic. They

are of much efficacy in jaundice, hepatic diseases, and affections of

the kidneys. The dose is 1 or 2 pills, 3 times a day, sufficient to

produce a slight sensation of nausea. This pill is superior to the one

made after the old formula (T. V. Morrow, M. D.).

 

 

Extractum Taraxaci (U. S. P.)—Extract of Taraxacum.

 

 

SYNONYM: Extract of dandelion.

 

Preparation.— " Taraxacum, freshly gathered in autumn, a convenient

quantity; water, a sufficient quantity. Slice the taraxacum, and bruise

it in a stone mortar, sprinkling water over it from time to time, until

it is reduced to a pulp; then express and strain the juice, and

evaporate it in a vacuum apparatus, or in a shallow porcelain dish, by

means of a water-bath, to a pilular consistence. Keep the extract in a

close vessel, and cover its surface with a cloth, which ought to be

moistened occasionally with a little ether or chloroform " —(U. S. P.).

 

Description, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—Dandelion root, for the above

purpose, should be collected in September, October, or November. The

juice procured by the above method should be evaporated in shallow

vessels, by means of steam heat; but the best extract is obtained by

evaporation in vacuo. In the process of the British Pharmacopoeia, the

clear liquid obtained by expressing the crushed fresh root is directed

to be heated to 100° C. (212° F.), and maintained at that point for 10

minutes. This is a wise provision, as the albumen contained in the juice

is thereby coagulated, and may subsequently be removed by straining. In

the evaporation of this extract, too much heat or too long an exposure

to the air will spoil it. When the extract is good, it is brownish, not

blackish, bitter and aromatic, and not sweet. A blackish-sweet extract

is more or less impaired. The extract should be renewed annually, as it

loses its virtues by age and exposure.

 

Extract of dandelion is tonic, diuretic, and aperient. It is much

recommended in affections of the liver, spleen, and kidneys, in

dropsical diseases, etc. I have made much use of various preparations of

dandelion, and the effects are far from being so decided and beneficial

as the testimony of writers led me to suppose; we have several agents

vastly superior to it in medicinal efficacy, in the diseases for which

it is prescribed. The dose of the extract is from 10 to 60 grains, 3

times a day (J. King).

 

 

Extractum Taraxaci Fluidum (U. S. P.)—Fluid Extract of Taraxacum.

 

 

SYNONYM: Fluid extract of dandelion.

 

Preparation.— " Taraxacum, in No. 30 powder, one thousand grammes (1000

Gm.) [2 lbs. av., 3 ozs., 120 grs.]; diluted alcohol, a sufficient

quantity to make one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl troy

ounce <http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/xhtmlpics/troyounce.gif> , 391

minim <http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/xhtmlpics/minim.gif> ]. Moisten

the powder with three hundred cubic centimeters (300 Cc.) [10 fl troy

ounce <http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/xhtmlpics/troyounce.gif> , 69

minim <http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/xhtmlpics/minim.gif> ] of diluted

alcohol, and pack it firmly in a cylindrical percolator; then add enough

diluted alcohol to saturate the powder and leave a stratum above it.

When the liquid begins to drop from the percolator, close the lower

orifice, and, having closely covered the percolator, macerate for 48

hours. Then allow the percolation to proceed, gradually adding diluted

alcohol, until the taraxacum is exhausted. Reserve the first eight

hundred and fifty cubic centimeters (850 Cc.) [28 fl troy ounce

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/xhtmlpics/troyounce.gif> , 356 minim

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/xhtmlpics/minim.gif> ] of the percolate;

distill off the alcohol from the remainder by means of a water-bath, and

evaporate the residue to a soft extract; dissolve this in the reserved

portion, and add enough diluted alcohol to make the fluid extract

measure one thousand cubic centimeters (1000 Cc.) [33 fl troy ounce

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/xhtmlpics/troyounce.gif> , 391 minim

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/xhtmlpics/minim.gif> ] " —(U. S. P.).

 

Description, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—This is a red-brown,

bitterish-sweet liquid. Fluid extract of dandelion may be administered

in all cases when the influence of this drug upon the system is desired.

The dose is 1 or 2 fluid drachms, 3 times a day. Some practitioners

speak very highly of the therapeutical influence of dandelion; others,

myself among the number, do not (J. King).

 

 

 

 

Succus Taraxaci.—Juice of Taraxacum.

 

 

SYNONYM: Juice of dandelion.

 

Preparation.— " Bruise fresh taraxacum root; press out the juice; to every

3 volumes of juice add 1 of alcohol (90 per cent); set aside for 7 days;

filter " — (Br. Pharm., 1898).

 

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—(See

<http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/taraxacum.html>

Taraxacum.) Dose, 1 to 2 fluid drachms.

 

 

 

 

 

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