The stalwart little dandelion is a significant herbal medicine in three of the world’s largest and oldest systems of herbalism- Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, and European.

While not a standout in any of these systems, it is a respected member of the materia medica of each. Mainly it is considered an herb that generally benefits the liver. Oddly enough though, one of its best applications is largely unknown here in North America. Dandelion is a very good herb for the prevention and treatment of breast disease of various types. Ayurveda particularly reveres it for that use, calling it specific for the problems of the breast and mammary glands.

In Ayurveda, benign cysts, such as those that form in the breast, are thought to be the result of kapha dosha, or the wet, cold tendency in the body. They tend to accumulate in fatty tissue. Since the breast is a fatty organ, it is particularly susceptible to these cysts.

The root of the dandelion is the part commonly used, but the leaves have similar properties, and are more diuretic.

Dandelion is a bitter herb. Generally bitter herbs are cooling to the body, that is, they lower metabolic rate and body temperature, and they quell inflammation. Dandelion is a detoxifying herb, especially for conditions involving heat, such as an inflamed breast cyst. This herb especially promotes detoxification of the lymph system. Mammary glands are lymph tissues, so dandelion benefits in this way, too.

These qualities give dandelion the reputation in Ayurveda of being useful for sore breasts, breast tumors of various types, cysts, suppressed lactation, and swollen breast lymph glands.

In Chinese medicine, dandelion has been used for at least 1100 years in treating breast cancer, mammary gland inflammation, and lack of milk flow. This herb is also indicated for reducing abscesses and dissipating nodules, particularly of the breast, and particularly if they are firm and hard. For these uses, dandelion is taken internally and applied externally over the nodule as a poultice.

Dandelion has been shown in recent scientific research to have action against tumors. The form used was a hot water extract, a tea, the traditional form for using dandelion root in herbal medicine. One recent Chinese medicine journal article called dandelion the main treatment in gynecological recalcitrant, difficult conditions.

Fibrocystic breast disease is a common, uncomfortable disease that affects 20-40 percent of premenopausal women. This disease is thought to be due to an increased estrogen to progesterone ratio. Since the liver is the primary site for estrogen clearance, an herb that benefits liver would likely benefit this disease. Dandelion does. The herb has also been found to possess phytosterols, the plant building blocks of hormones, but it is not known if these play a role in dandelion’s benefit for breast tissue.

Since dandelion is diuretic, it helps water retention, a common factor in breast tenderness.

So, this little lawn pest is good medicine. Women of all ages can profit from using it. Try it out.

Ways to use dandelion root

·Dandelion root in capsules – 3,000 mg per day

·or tincture – 1 tsp. per day

·tea- ¼ oz. by dry weight of herb, brewed, per day

·roasted dandelion root (from health food store)

·brew like coffee

·mix ½ and ½ with coffee, brew

·mix with chicory root and/or burdock root- ¼ oz. of each herb, simmer for twenty minutes- take three times per day with meals