Could merge to dandelion, but that is on the family of plants, this article is on use of the common dandelion specifically. Alternately we could leave it here and have dandelion see also this article. RJFJR 20:50, 20 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Some suggestions:

Could make this flow by adding some heading and / or categories. For example: I Description or Definition and / or History. II Medical Uses or Parts of the Plant used for Medical purposes III Cultivation??? IV Chemical compostion of the dandelion. V. Preparations.

Could add some Preparations and Doages examples that would tie in nicely with some of your other references. For example: In your gall stone reference could add the actual prepartaion. You make note that the dandelion has characteristics that make it act like a diuretic in two locations...recomend blending those together and maybe note that because its a diuretic it acts as a stimulant especially to the urinary organs.

Solarone 16:48, 7 April 2006 (UTC)solarone[reply]

I agree with other suggestions about headings and breaking down the article into different pieces and explaining the different types of information. Though another thing to think about is explaining how the plant is used for medicine. Not what it can be used for, but how it is used. A good site that you can use is "http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/Dandelionch.html#HowToTake"; this site shows people how to take dandelion. Dried and powdered forms are just two way you can take this plant as a medicine. This site also shows possible interactions that may cause more harm than good to a person, and other plants that have similar ways of helping someone. (SSAGE1)

It might be helful for people to see how dandelions are specifically used by people. There are uses listed but nothing specific that can be related back to a kind of medicine they are in that people use often. I found a recipe that uses dandelions in it and also ways that people eat them with sandwiches or in salads. It also says that dandelions provide the nutrients vitamin A, B, and C. By adding in these details people can relate what comes from dandelions with different nutrients that they hear about everyday. It makes them seem even more useful to everyday life. http://co.essortment.com/whatisdandelio_rawm.htm

Good information! On the Dandelion page of wiki, under species, there is a link to Taraxacum officinale (syn. T. vulgare), which is the common dandelion. I’m suggesting that your page be the page for Taraxacum officinale since it’s the common dandelion. When I clicked on that link, it gave me an edit page and said there is no page at this time. You do have some background information that split up with headings would make a nice page about the common dandelions history and medicinal uses.

Your article says that the root is sometimes used for bronchitis and upper respiratory infections. Do you cook or boil the root to prepare it for this use? If someone is allergic to dandelions, do you think that the prepared root would cause allergic reactions? I am interested as we have a lot of upper respiratory infections in my house.

Good article, thanks for the info! --Photoart 05:25, 15 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

First of all just a spelling correction-"uncempt" to unkempt.

Another suggestion is to lay out the various ways dandelion can be taken such as a tea or grinding the roots to make a coffee, external topical ointment. The web page http://www.gardensablaze.com/HerbDandelionMed.htm has some great techniques for consuming dandelions as edible food such as dandelion scrambled eggs and preparing dandelion coffee, teas and sweeteners as well as medicinal extracts. It also contains techniques for collection dandelion roots.

I also found this little tidbit at http://www.naturalherbsguide.com/dandelion.html:

The leaves of the plant are very rich in vitamins, including A, C, D, and B-complex. They also have high levels of minerals like iron, magnesium, zinc potassium, manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon. The most active ingredient in dandelions, eudesmanolide and germacranolide, are found only in dandelions.

In addition, perhaps it would be interesting to segregate the various parts of the plant that is used and how. Also, since dandelions are such a popular plant, perhaps you could find a free picture of one or take one yourself for the page.

One other note, since you’re talking medicinally, maybe include something about side effects and interactions. The above site mentions that Some individuals experience stomach pain because of hyperacidity. It is safe to use with other drugs.

Kaliadia

I added information from the PDR for Herbal Medicine and the Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. Could someone track down a copy of Dandelion Medicine? The information from there sounds a little, er, dodgy; and I can't say I like the use of "are also cited to be effective" rather than any actual citation.

Seashunt 22:54, 1 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

As discussed at Talk:Taraxacum officinale, this page has had serious problems since its inception, and a better summary of information is available on the Taraxacum officinale page. It was decided to replace this page with a redirect. Nadiatalent (talk) 12:04, 15 July 2010 (UTC)[reply]