Don’t overlook the humble dandelion, often dismissed as a mere weed. This unassuming plant is a powerhouse of natural healing, offering antibiotic properties crucial in combating acute inflammations such as hepatitis and conjunctivitis. Furthermore, when paired with other ingredients, it can aid in weight loss and digestion.
The dandelion’s unassuming power
The dandelion, or Taraxacum officinale, commonly seen by the roadside, is far from an ordinary wild green. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner Lin Gui highlights in the “Understanding TCM” program that dandelions are a gift from nature, providing potent anti-inflammatory effects, particularly effective in treating acute conditions with remarkable results.
The plant is a natural antibiotic
TCM views this plant as bitter, sweet, and cooling, affecting the liver and stomach channels. The “Compendium of Materia Medica” notes its efficacy in treating conditions like breast abscesses through its detoxifying properties. Lin Gui uses eye diseases as an example, suggesting that many cases of blindness could be prevented with the proper use of this plant.
Here’s how dandelions can be used to treat three acute conditions:
- For acute conjunctivitis: Known colloquially as “pink eye,” this condition causes redness and swelling of the eyes and can spread quickly. Lin Gui notes that dandelions can provide almost immediate relief for acute conjunctivitis. The treatment involves brewing tea from the dried plants, chrysanthemums, and honeysuckle, which can be used both for washing the eyes and as a drink.
- For acute mastitis: Echoing the “Compendium of Materia Medica,” Lin Gui says these plants can treat acute mastitis. The method is simple: fresh plants are crushed to extract the juice, which is then applied directly to the affected area.
- For acute hepatitis and jaundice: When liver indicators are alarmingly high, dandelion therapy could be beneficial, particularly in combination with other traditional herbs, like capillary artemisia and cogongrass rhizome, to detoxify and reduce heat.
Precautions
- These treatments should be applied during the acute phase of the condition and discontinued once symptoms subside. If there’s no improvement, consult a healthcare provider promptly.
- Dandelions have strong cooling properties, but they should not be consumed daily as tea, as this can lead to spleen and stomach coldness.
Dandelion and rice tea for detox and weight loss
Dandelions pair well with rice for health benefits. Cooking them together in porridge can detoxify and reduce swelling. Frying the plants with rice to make tea can absorb intestinal fats, relieve summer heat, and protect the stomach. After frying, the rice’s starch becomes porous, making it ideal for detox and weight loss.
TCM practitioner Lin Gui points out that dandelions, being sweet and entering the spleen and stomach, can strengthen the body’s resistance. Shu Rong, another TCM practitioner from a traditional medical family, suggests that rice becomes a beneficial ingredient once fried, especially for the elderly and children with weak digestion.
How to make dandelion rice tea:
- Ingredients: A suitable amount of rice and fresh dandelions.
- Directions: Soak freshly picked plants, with roots removed, in water with a bit of baking soda and salt. After washing and drying, cut them into 3-4 cm segments. Wash a bowl of rice and fry it in a preheated pan until it turns semi-transparent, then lower the heat and continue until it turns golden brown. Add the dandelion pieces and keep stirring on low heat for about 15 minutes until they darken and the rice is golden brown. Cool the mixture and store it in a sealed glass jar. To enjoy, simply steep in hot water.
These plants have multifaceted health benefits, earning them the title “Queen of Herbal Medicine.” However, they are not suitable for everyone, including pregnant women, those on their menstrual cycle, and individuals with allergies to the plants.
Translated by Joseph Wu, edited by Amanda
