Yang Xiaoxia, Department of Pharmacy, Characteristic Medical Center (formerly 306 Hospital).
Edited by Liu Yan/Cui Yan, Medical Science Popularization Center
In spring, dandelions can often be seen in the wild and in parks. Did you know that dandelion is not a simple weed, it is actually an important Chinese medicinal material, with rich nutritional value and unique medicinal properties. Dandelion is bitter in taste, sweet, cold in nature, returns to the two meridians of the liver and stomach, has the effects of reducing swelling and dissipating knots, diuretic and drenching, etc., and is a traditional Chinese medicine heat-clearing and detoxifying drug, giving it the reputation of "natural antibiotic". Dandelion contains a variety of active ingredients that play different roles in the human body. Below, let's take a look at the main active ingredients, efficacy, application and contraindications of dandelion.
Introduction to Dandelion
Dandelion is also known as dandelion grass, ground ding, mother-in-law ding, yellow flower ground ding, dandelion ding, milk grass and so on. The Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2010 Edition) stipulates that dandelion is a dried whole grass of the Asteraceae plant dandelion, alkaline dandelion or several plants of the same genus.
Active ingredient
Dandelion contains a variety of active ingredients, the main components include flavonoids, triterpenoids, phenolic acids, sterols, polysaccharides, etc., among which flavonoids have a high content of luteolin, quercetin and glycosides, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects, and phenolic acids mainly include ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, etc., which have strong antibacterial activity. Triterpenoids such as dandelion alcohol and dandelion have the effects of protecting the liver and promoting bile secretion. In addition, dandelion is also rich in minerals and vitamins, calcium, iron, zinc, etc.
efficacy
◆Antibacterial effect: Dandelion has a broad-spectrum antibacterial effect, and has different degrees of inhibitory effect on Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, spirochetes and viruses. Dandelion whole herb and root have obvious inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and are sensitive to Staphylococcus aureus, which helps to alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory diseases. It has a certain adjuvant treatment effect on patients with inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and enteritis. The antibacterial effect of dandelion whole herb is better than that of dandelion root.
◆Enhance immunity: The active ingredients such as polysaccharides and flavonoids in dandelion can enhance immunity and improve human resistance.
◆Antioxidant effect: The flavonoids in dandelion are a class of natural products with strong antioxidant activity. They neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, thereby protecting cells from oxidative damage. The antioxidant effect helps to slow down the aging process, maintain skin health, prevent cardiovascular diseases, etc.
◆Diuretic effect: Dandelion also has the reputation of "bedwetting grass", which has a natural diuretic effect. Its diuretic effect is mainly derived from the variety of active ingredients it contains, such as flavonoids, dandelion, etc. These ingredients stimulate the kidneys and increase urine flow, which helps flush excess water and toxins out of the body and relieves edema symptoms.
◆ Improve digestive function: The active ingredients in dandelion can stimulate the gastric mucosa to secrete digestive juices, increase gastrointestinal peristalsis, and improve digestive function. For problems such as loss of appetite and indigestion, dandelion has a good relieving effect.
◆Choleretic and hepatoprotective effect: Dandelion in dandelion is believed to have hepatoprotective and choleretic effects, which can promote bile secretion and excretion, help improve liver function and prevent the formation of gallstones.
◆Anti-tumor effect: The anti-tumor mechanism of dandelion is similar to that of anti-cancer polysaccharides such as lentinan mushroom. Dandelion root has anti-cancer effects, and its active ingredients are mainly dandelion sterol and cythol.
◆Anti-fatigue effect: Dandelion is rich in vitamin C and minerals, which can effectively relieve fatigue and improve body endurance.
apply
In traditional Chinese medicine, dandelion is often used to treat cradle carbuncle (acute purulent mastitis), gastritis and other diseases, as well as to have a galactic effect. In modern medicine, due to the various pharmacological effects of dandelion, it is widely used in clinical practice, which can assist in the treatment of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, and improve liver function to a certain extent. There is a common Chinese patent medicine - Pudilan, dandelion is the main medicine. It has a certain therapeutic effect on many external diseases, such as colds, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and mumps.
Dandelion, as a medicine and food homology, can be soaked in water instead of tea for daily health care, and when adjusting the dosage according to personal physique, you need to pay special attention to your body's reaction. For example, those with a cold constitution can reduce the amount of dandelion soaked in water or choose to use it in combination with other warm herbs, while those with a hot constitution can appropriately increase the amount of use to achieve the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying.
Contraindications to taking medications
(1) Allergic reaction: Some people may be allergic to dandelion, and symptoms such as rash and itching may occur after use, so they should stop using it immediately and seek medical attention.
(2) Spleen deficiency and stomach cold should be used with caution: dandelion is cold, and it should not be used in large quantities for people with spleen and stomach deficiency and cold, so as not to aggravate the condition.
(3) Pregnant women should use with caution: pregnant women should be especially cautious when using dandelion to avoid adverse effects on the fetus.
(4) Compatibility of herbal medicines: When combining with other herbal medicines or Western medicines, the doctor's instructions should be followed to avoid adverse reactions or reduced efficacy due to interactions.
(5) Patients with low blood pressure should use with caution, dandelion root soaked in water has a blood pressure lowering effect, so people with low blood pressure should use with caution.
(The picture comes from the Internet)