Taraxacum
Taraxacum, commonly known as the dandelion, is a versatile perennial herb cherished in traditional medicine. Renowned for its bitter properties, it serves as a powerful diuretic and liver tonic. Every part of this resilient plant, from its roots to its vibrant yellow blooms, offers unique therapeutic benefits for wellness.
- Scientific name: Taraxacum
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Asterales, it is a member of the Asteraceae family. Finally, it is identified by the genus Taraxacum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Taraxacum | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad presence across various regions within Northern Europe. It can be found growing throughout the landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Its distribution also extends to the remote islands of Føroyar and Iceland. Additionally, the species is well-established across the territory of Great Britain. Together, these locations highlight its widespread reach across the northernmost parts of the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Svalbard | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
Chemicals
Taraxacum has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include taraxasterol, Chicoric acid, Chlorogenic acid, Taraxasteryl acetate, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| taraxasterol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Chicoric acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Chlorogenic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Taraxasteryl acetate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| luteolin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| magnesium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| manganese | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| zinc | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Taraxacum has 10 reported activities identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Analgesic, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antinociceptive.
- Total activities
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Choleretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Laxative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Prebiotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Taraxacum has 19 reported medicinal uses identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include anorexia, appetite, bovine mastitis, cachexia, constipation.
- Total uses
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| anorexia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| appetite | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bovine mastitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cachexia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| constipation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diuresis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dyspepsia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eczema | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| heartburn | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |