Herb latin name: Taraxacum japonicum


Family: Compositae



Medicinal use of Taraxacum japonicum:

Cholagogue, diuretic, galactogogue, skin, stomachic, tonic.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
20 cm
(7 3/4 inch)

Flowering:
March
to May

Habitat of the herb:

Sunny ruderal habitats such as roadsides and edges of paddy fields at elevations below 500 metres.

Edible parts of Taraxacum japonicum:

Leaves - raw or cooked. The roasted root is a coffee substitute. The following uses are also probably applicable to this species, though we have no records for them Root - cooked. Flowers - raw or cooked. The unopened flower buds can be used in fritters. The whole plant is dried and used as a tea. A pleasant tea is made from the flowers. The leaves and the roots can also be used to make tea.

Propagation of the herb:

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and either surface-sow or only just cover the seed. Make sure the compost does not dry out. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, choosing relatively deep pots to accommodate the tap root. Plant them out in early summer. Division in early spring as the plant comes into growth.

Cultivation of Taraxacum japonicum:

Sunny ruderal habitats such as roadsides and edges of paddy fields at elevations below 500 metres.

Known hazards of Taraxacum japonicum:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.