Description: perennial herb native of Eurasia, very common in Europe but found now in many temperate and subtropical countries. Leaves dentate (lion's teeth) in a rosette very close to the ground, long and strong tap root, yellow flowers opening in the daylight, becoming later "fuzzballs" full of seeds. All parts contain a milky sap (latex)

Parts used: root, leaves

Constituents: inulin (up to 40% in fall), starch, fructose, vitamin A, C, manganese, bitter sesquiterpenic lactones (germacranolides and eudesmanolides), terpenol (taraxosterol)

Actions: choleretic and cholagogue, diuretic, antidiabetic

Main indications: to stimulate bile excretion in case of dyspepsia and difficulty to digest lipids (fat and grease), to stimulate appetite, mild laxative, atherosclerosis, moderate diabetes type 2, depurative, post hepatitis

Contra indications: possibly allergenic

Drug: infusion and decootion of fresh or dried root, fluid extract, tincture, spring salad of young leaves