Wild plants help cool the body, detoxify the liver, and aid digestion.

Dandelion has a bitter-sweet taste, a cooling nature, and is effective in clearing heat, detoxifying, cooling the liver, supporting people with hepatitis, internal heat, acne, and is used in cases of mastitis and blocked milk ducts.

According to Dr. Ngo Duc Phuong, Director of the Institute of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine, the Vietnamese dandelion, scientifically known as Lactuca indica, belongs to the daisy family (Asteraceae), and is different from the European dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). In Vietnam, Lactuca indica is a familiar plant, used as a vegetable and medicinal herb for treating heat-related ailments, liver and gallbladder problems, and digestive issues.

In traditional medicine, dandelion has a bitter-sweet taste and a cooling nature, with the effect of clearing heat. In addition, this plant is used to detoxify, cool the liver, support those with hepatitis, internal heat, acne, aid digestion, and reduce bloating. Notably, dandelion is also used in folk medicine for cases of mastitis and blocked milk ducts.

In daily life, the leaves and young shoots of the dandelion can be eaten as vegetables (boiled or used in soups), and the whole plant can be dried and brewed into a tea.

Dandelion plant. Photo: N. Huyen

Preliminary studies suggest that dandelion contains flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, and polyphenols with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, liver-protective, and mild antibacterial activity.

Several experimental studies have noted that dandelion helps reduce liver damage caused by oxidative stress and decreases inflammatory responses in liver and digestive tissues.

This aligns with folk experience using dandelion to help cool the liver, detoxify, and aid digestion. However, Dr. Phuong emphasized that clinical evidence on humans is limited and mainly supportive.

Common uses of dandelion include eating it as a vegetable (boiled, in soups, or eaten raw) or brewing it into a tea to drink when feeling hot. It can also be combined with other herbs in herbal remedies to cool the liver and detoxify the body.

However, experts note that people with weak digestive systems or prone to diarrhea should use it in moderation and it should not replace treatment for severe hepatitis. Pregnant women should be cautious when using this plant for extended periods.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/loai-cay-moc-dai-thanh-nhiet-mat-gan-ho-tro-tieu-hoa-2518772.html