Herba Taraxaci
Source
Herb of Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz. or other species in the same
genus, family Compositae.
Characteristics
Herb, 30 cm tall. Axial root conical, root stock pubescent. Leaves basal,
blades
oblanceolate, apex obtuse, margin pinnately lobed; bases gradually narrowing
into stalks; with one or several scapes. Capitulum terminal. Flowers ligule
and yellow. Achene with white coronules. Bitter and sweet in taste, cold
in nature, and attributive to liver and stomach channels.
Indication
1. Clear away heat and toxic material: For carbuncle and fur-uncle, may
be used together with Herba Viotae orally and topically; for lung abscess,
used together with Herba Houttuyniae and Herba Andrographitis; for appendicitis,
used together with Herba Hedyotis Diffusae and Herba Patnniae; also for
sorethroat, conjunctivitis, snake bite, etc.
2. Clear away heat and promote diuresis: For jaundice of dampness-heat
type, stranguria of heat type.
Pharmacological
Action
1. Bacteriostatic.
2. Its alcoholic extract exerts a cholagogic action in rat, which is stronger
than decoction of Herba Artemisiae Scopariae.
3. Relieve the damage of liver in rat elicited by CCl4.
Administration Decoction: 10-30g.