Taraxaci radix cum herba

Taraxaci radix cum herba, also known as dandelion root with dandelion herb, is a drug that is used in herbal medicinal products to treat dyspeptic complaints, disorders of bile flow and to stimulate diuresis, among other things.

Quality is defined in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

HMPC monograph: Dandelion herb with root, dandelion root and dandelion leaves: Traditional-use: mild digestive complaints, temporary loss of appetite, increase in urine volume, for flushing the urinary tract, supportive for mild urinary tract complaints.
ESCOP monograph: Dandelion leaves - improvement of urinary flow, e.g. in rheumatism, for the prevention of kidney stones. Dandelion root: liver and gallbladder dysfunction, dyspeptic complaints, loss of appetite.
Commission e-monograph: dandelion herb with root: bile flow disorders, to stimulate diuresis; for loss of appetite, dyspeptic complaints. Dandelion herb or dandelion leaves: for loss of appetite, dyspeptic complaints, bloating, flatulence.

Empirical medicine: promotes elimination in gout, rheumatic diseases, mild laxative, according to studies: sebostasis

Taraxaci radix cum herba contains bitter substances (lactucopicrin = taraxacin, eudesmolides, garmacranolides = sesquiterpenes), triterpenes such as taraxasterol, phytosterols, flavonoids and phenylcarboxylic acids.

Taraxaci radix cum herba increases the secretion of gastric juice, stimulates the metabolism and appetite and also has choleretic, diuretic, antiphlogistic and spasmolytic effects.

Taraxaci radix cum herba is used for dyspeptic complaints such as a feeling of fullness or flatulence, loss of appetite, to stimulate diuresis and for disorders of bile flow.

As an infusion, pour 1 tablespoon of the drug onto a cup of water. As a decoction, add 3 to 4 g of cut or powdered drug to a cup of water. In the form of a tincture, use 10 to 15 drops 3 times a day, or as fresh plant juice 3 times a day about 20 ml.

Superacidic stomach problems can occur due to the bitter substances. Contact allergies (due to sesquiterpenlactones) have rarely been observed after contact with the milk juice.

If the bile ducts are obstructed, a gall bladder empyema or ileus should not be taken. In the case of an existing gallstone disease, only after consultation with the doctor treating the patient.

There are no known interactions with other drugs.

During a flushing therapy, care must be taken to ensure a sufficient fluid intake of at least 2 l/day.
Due to the diuretic effect, it should not be taken in the evening.

1. Schilcher H (ed.) in, Leitfaden Phytotherapie, Urban & Fischer Verlag (2016) Munich, p. 206 ff.
2. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/loewenzahn.php
3. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-taraxacum-officinale-weber-ex-wigg-radix-cum-herba_en.pdf
4. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp.149-150