Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying)
蒲公英 · Púgōngyīng
Taraxacum mongolicum (T. officinale)
Family: Asteraceae · Part used: Whole herb · Origin: Neimenggu & Northeast China
Nature
Cold
Flavor
Sweet, bitter
Meridian
Liver, Stomach
The humble dandelion that Westerners weed from lawns is a revered heat-toxin clearer in China — the first-line herb for breast abscesses and swellings in classical texts, and a gentle liver-cooling daily tea in modern wellness. Wild mountain-harvested before flowering, its bitterness is mild enough for regular use.
🌿 Functions & Actions
- •Clears heat and resolves toxicity
- •Reduces swelling and disperses nodules
- •Promotes urination
- •Benefits the liver and gallbladder
📋 Traditional Indications
- •Breast swellings and abscesses (traditional)
- •Boils and skin sores
- •Red eyes and sore throat
- •Urinary discomfort with heat
- •Liver-heat irritability
📖 Usage & Dosage
9–30 g in decoction; steeped as daily tea at lower doses; external poultice for swellings.
🍵 Classic Recipes
Pu Gong Ying Tea
Dried dandelion 9 g steeped 10 minutes — the daily liver-cooling infusion.
Dandelion & Honeysuckle Wash
Dandelion 30 g + honeysuckle 20 g boiled for external compress on hot swellings.
🔬 Modern Research
Taraxasterol and chicoric acid are studied for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective effects.
⚠️ Contraindications
Avoid with spleen-deficiency diarrhea and cold patterns; moderate long-term use.
