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Knowledge baseHerbs

Pu Gong Ying蒲公英

Herba TaraxaciDandelion

Also known asTaraxacum · Mongolian Dandelion

Category
Herbs That Clear Heat and Detoxify; Target Warm and Heat Diseases
Nature
cold
Taste
bitter, sweet
Channels entered
Liver, Stomach
Dosage
9–30 g

Usual doses

Dosage
9–30 g
Tincture
2–4 ml

Actions & indications

Reduces abscesses and dissipates nodules
Internal abscesses and external sores particularly if they are firm and hard, especially breast and intestinal abscess, Chuang Yung (internally and topically)
Clears the Liver and clears the eyes
  • Eye redness and swelling (alone as a steam)
  • Liver Heat, cirrhosis
Clears Heat, resolves Dampness and unblocks painful urinary dysfunction
  • Damp-Heat painful urinary dysfunction
  • Damp-Heat jaundice
Relieves Fire toxicity
Fire toxicity , swollen, painful throat, upper respiratory tract infection
Promotes lactation
Insufficient lactation due to Heat
Clears Heat in the Blood
Congested Fire of the Spleen and Stomach

Contraindications

  • Overdosing may cause mild diarrhea.
  • Contraindicated for Yin-type sores or carbuncles lacking redness or pain.
  • May trigger allergic reactions such as itching, sensations of Heat, urticaria, abdominal discomfort, nausea and vomiting.
  • Contraindicated in Middle Jiao Deficiency.
  • Contraindicated in Cold Blood.
  • Oral use may cause heartburn.

Interactions

Taking it alongside quinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin may affect their bioavailability and disposition.

Combinations

Notes

  • This herb can be used alone or combined with other herbs in decoction.
  • Locally sourced dandelion is acceptable, provided it is at least two years old.
  • It is especially effective at draining, directing Qi downward, and dispersing Qi Stagnation and clumping.
  • Traditionally it treats breast abscess and other sores, taken internally and applied topically alike.
  • For breast abscess and edema in women, it is boiled into a juice that is both drunk and applied topically, with results seen quickly.
  • It works remarkably well for eye disorders and is quite effective for dysphagia.
  • It has demonstrated an ability to inhibit cancer cell growth.
  • It is a principal herb for eliminating pathogenic Heat and cooling the Blood.
  • It is reputed to remedy breast abscess and breast cancer in women.
  • The fresh form, Xian Pu Gong Ying, cools and detoxifies more strongly than the dried herb, has a broader range of action, and works best both drunk and applied topically.
  • At smaller doses it is more stimulating and restorative; at larger doses it clears Heat and drains more strongly.
  • Pu Gong Ying and Hb. Violae Zi Hua Di Ding both cool Heat, resolve toxicity, reduce swelling and disperse clumping. Pu Gong Ying is stronger at relieving constraint and dispersing clumping, acting mainly on the Liver channel, whereas Zi Hua Di Ding is stronger at cooling the Blood and resolving toxicity, acting mainly on the Heart and Liver channels.
  • Pu Gong Ying and Hb. Patriniae Bai Jiang Cao both cool Heat, resolve toxicity and reduce swollen abscess. Pu Gong Ying is stronger at relieving constraint and dispersing clumping, acting on the Liver and Stomach channels, while Bai Jiang Cao is stronger at eliminating Stasis and expelling pus.
  • Pu Gong Ying and Rz. Paridis Chong Lou both resolve toxicity, reduce swelling and relieve pain. Pu Gong Ying additionally promotes urination, unblocks painful urinary dysfunction and treats jaundice, whereas Chong Lou cools the Liver while calming fright, and also resolves snakebite toxin and treats a range of cancers.
  • Pu Gong Ying and Flos Lonicerae Jin Yin Hua are both effective at reducing swelling and ulceration. Pu Gong Ying enters only the Liver and Stomach channels, whereas Jin Yin Hua enters every channel, though it cannot reach its full effect unless combined with Pu Gong Ying.

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