Dandelion

Energetics

Cold, bitter (root), with a secondary sweet quality (leaf); the leaf leans more cooling and diuretic, the root more bitter and liver-directed.

Constitutional Fit (Ayurveda)

Reduces excess Pitta and Kapha — its bitter, cooling quality drains heat and dampness from the liver and urinary systems. Used carefully with Vata, since its diuretic, dispersing nature can aggravate dryness and depletion if overused.

TCM Pattern

Clears Damp-Heat from the Liver and Gallbladder, and from the Stomach and Intestines — a classic bitter, cooling herb for stagnant, congested digestion and inflamed, heat-pattern conditions.

Tissue States

• Western (Matthew Wood): Indicated for Damp and Excited tissue — draining excess fluid while cooling overactive, inflamed function, particularly of the liver and kidneys.
• Ayurvedic (Dhatu): Acts on Rakta and Meda (blood and fat tissue), supporting the liver's role in metabolizing and clearing excess from the blood.

Harvest Timing & Extraction

Spring-harvested root is higher in bitter taraxacin (best for liver and digestive support), while fall-harvested root is packed with up to 40% inulin (best for prebiotics and decoctions).

To extract the most un-degraded inulin, three specific extraction methods are recommended:

• The Gentle Simmer (Decoction): Bring water and roots to a boil, then immediately drop the heat down to a low simmer, covered with a lid. Let it gently steep at that low, sub-boiling heat for 20 to 30 minutes.
• The Overnight Cold Brew: Because inulin is highly water-soluble, a long, overnight cold-infusion works well. It takes longer than hot water, but it guarantees zero heat damage to the polysaccharides.
• The Apple Cider Vinegar Extract: Following the vitalist tradition, pulling Dandelion or Burdock roots into raw Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) for 2–4 weeks is one of the absolute best ways to pull out and preserve inulin. The acid stabilizes the fiber, creating a perfect prebiotic digestive tonic.

Summary

A cold, bitter remedy for heat and stagnation held in the liver, digestion, and urinary system. Dandelion root clears congestion and drains damp-heat from the digestive organs, while the leaf's mild diuretic action supports the kidneys — together addressing both the congestion and the fluid retention that often accompany it.