Dandelion is a herb belonging to the tribe Asteraceae. In Indonesia, this plant is known by the name "Jombang. " Generally, growing wild on the slopes, embankments, field grass, and side streets in the cool temperate areas ranging from lowland to the altitude of about 1750 m above sea level. Herb that live for years, 10 -25 cm tall, all parts of the plant contain a liquid, like milk.
Dandelion leaves form a rosette gather roots, the base fell to close the ground. Single leaf, lancet-shaped, breech, pointed tip, base of leaf stalk resembling narrow, irregular jagged edges, sometimes sharing a very deep, length 6 -15 cm, width 2 to 3.5 cm, green coated fine hair is white. Single flower, long stemmed white coated fine hair, androgynous. Crown of yellow flowers, diameter 2.5 to 3.5 cm. Tube-shaped fruit, is white. Roots long, single, or branched. The young leaves can be eaten as a fresh vegetable salad or made a nutritious tonic. Older leaves can be steamed or cooked as a vegetable. The flowers can be used to give a yellow color in the beverage or fabric. This plant can reproduce asexually and can be propagated by seed.
Dandelion sweet, slightly bitter, cold nature. This herb into the liver and stomach meridians, and efficacious in liver and blood tonic. In addition, also efficacious antibiotics, anti-inflammatory; eliminate swelling, to destroy the blockage, urinary laxative (strong diuretic), clean heat and toxins, and increase the production of bile. Root slightly bitter, efficacious antitoksik, urinary laxative (diuretic), heat-relief (antipyretic), reinforcing the stomach, increased appetite (stomakik), launched an expenditure of bile into the intestine (kolagoga), launched a spending AS1 (laktagoga), mild laxative, and lower blood sugar (hypoglycemic).
Plant part used is fresh herbs and roots as well as dried. Dandelion herb used for treatment: inflammation, such as strep throat, sore red eyes (conjunctivitis), acute inflammation of the appendix (acute appendicitis), pelvic inflammation, liver inflammation (hepatitis), inflammation of the gall bladder (cholecystitis) and inflammation and breast abscesses, infections and urinary tract stones, mumps (parotitis), diarrhea, dysentery, gastritis, no appetite, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure (hypertension), anemia, swollen feet due to accumulation of fluid, vaginal discharge (leukore), a little breast milk production, boils, sores, ulcers are deep, snake bite, cellulite, enlarged prostate, improve disposal of uric acid, a black speck on the face (freckles), tumors in the digestive system (esophagus, stomach, intestine, liver, and pancreas), cancer (breast, lung, cervix / cervical, and gums), as well as chronic leukemia granulositik.
For drugs taken, boiled or mashed 15-30 g fresh herbs and then wring it out. Furthermore, feelings or drinking water can be used to mix the recipe. Special to treat cancer, tumors, or severe disease, use herbs as much as 20-60 g. Alternatively, boil 10-30 g of roots, and drink boiled water. In some countries, the roots are dried and then milled until smooth. Take 1-2 tablespoons of tea, and brewed with hot water. If necessary, add lime juice to improve flavor.
For external use only, minced fresh herbs or roots until smooth, then Dab to where the sick, such as breast swelling, ulcers, and burns. In addition, leaves can be boiled, then use the water for bathing or vaporize the face. This method aims to refresh the body and keep skin from spots and acne.
Source image: kesehatan.kompasiana.com
