Dandelion: Clearing Heat and Reducing Swelling in Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Hongji Medical
- Jun 4
- 3 min read
Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying), known as "Granny’s Herb" or "Yellow Flower Herb," is the dried whole plant of Taraxacum mongolicum, Taraxacum sinicum, or related species from the Asteraceae family.
Prized in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for its ability to clear heat, detoxify, reduce swelling, and promote urination, dandelion is a versatile herb. Its use was first recorded in the Tang Bencao (Tang Materia Medica), noted for treating “breast abscesses and swelling, with juice from boiled herb taken orally.”
Over centuries, TCM scholars like Li Shizhen in the Ming Dynasty’s Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica) detailed dandelion’s properties, emphasizing its ability to “resolve food toxins, disperse stagnant qi, clear heat-toxins, digest food accumulation, and reduce swelling nodules.” Texts like Bencao Beiyao and Bencao Zhengyi further expanded its applications, making it widely used in clinical practice.
Properties of Dandelion
Nature and Meridian Affinity
Taste: Bitter, sweet
Nature: Cold
Meridians: Liver, Stomach
Key Components
Dandelion contains taraxasterol, taraxerol, vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds, contributing to its pharmacological effects.
Main Functions
Clears heat and detoxifies.
Reduces swelling and disperses nodules.
Promotes urination and resolves dampness.
Offers antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, hepatoprotective, choleretic, diuretic, and potential anti-tumor effects.
Clinical Applications
Dandelion is widely used in TCM for:
Clearing Heat and Detoxifying: Treats heat-toxin conditions like abscesses, sores, sore throat, and red, swollen eyes.
Reducing Swelling and Nodules: Addresses breast abscesses, scrofula, and swollen lymph nodes.
Promoting Urination: Relieves urinary issues from damp-heat, such as painful urination or urinary tract infections.
Supporting Liver and Gallbladder: Protects liver function and promotes bile secretion.
Dandelion in Classic TCM Formulas
Dandelion is often combined with other herbs in TCM formulas to enhance its effects:
Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin (Five-Ingredient Decoction to Eliminate Toxins): Contains Honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua), Wild Chrysanthemum (Ye Ju Hua), Dandelion, Viola (Zi Hua Di Ding), and Begonia (Zi Bei Tian Kui). It clears heat and reduces swelling, treating abscesses and sores.
Qing Re Jie Du Tang (Clear Heat and Detoxify Decoction): Includes dandelion as a key herb to treat infections caused by heat-toxins.
Dandelion’s versatility allows it to be added to modern TCM formulas to boost heat-clearing and swelling-reducing effects.
Comparison with Similar Herbs
Dandelion shares functions with other TCM herbs but has unique traits:
Honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua): Stronger at clearing heat-toxins and cooling blood, used for heat-related dysentery, unlike dandelion’s broader applications.
Viola (Zi Hua Di Ding): Similar in clearing heat and reducing swelling but milder in action.
Wild Chrysanthemum (Ye Ju Hua): Focuses on clearing heat and calming liver wind, used for wind-heat colds and eye redness, differing from dandelion’s diuretic focus.
Modern Applications and Research
Modern studies validate dandelion’s traditional uses:
Antibacterial: Inhibits various bacteria and fungi.
Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation by suppressing mediators.
Antiviral: Shows activity against certain viruses.
Hepatoprotective: Protects liver cells and lowers transaminase levels.
Choleretic: Promotes bile secretion, aiding digestion.
Anti-tumor: Preliminary research suggests inhibition of certain cancer cells.
Diuretic: Increases urine output, helping eliminate toxins.
Clinically, dandelion is used for infections, chronic gastritis, cholecystitis, urinary tract infections, and mastitis.
Precautions for Use
Dosage: Typically 9–15 grams (dried) or 30–60 grams (fresh), adjusted based on condition and practitioner guidance.
Contraindications: Use cautiously in cases of spleen-stomach cold deficiency.
Compatibility: No specific herb incompatibilities noted.
Administration: Can be decocted for oral use or applied externally as a poultice or wash.
Conclusion
Dandelion is a vital TCM herb, valued for clearing heat, detoxifying, reducing swelling, and promoting urination. Its long history, from Tang Bencao to modern applications, underscores its versatility in treating infections, skin issues, and liver conditions. Proper use under professional guidance ensures safety and efficacy, with ongoing research highlighting its potential in modern medicine.
