(Leontodon Taraxacum.) Dens Leonis.
_Dandelion._
QUALITIES. _Odour_, none; _Taste_, bitter, and somewhat sweet and
acidulous. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION. The active principles appear to consist
of extractive, gluten, a bitter principle (_not resinous_), and tartaric
acid. SOLUBILITY. Water extracts its virtues much better than spirit.
INCOMPATIBLE SUBSTANCES. _Infusion of Galls_, _Nitrate of Silver_,
_Oxy-muriate of Mercury_, _Acetate of Lead_, and _Sulphate of Iron_
occasion precipitates in its solutions. MED. USES. It has long enjoyed
the reputation of proving beneficial in obstructions of the liver, and
in visceral diseases; Bergius extols its use in these complaints, and
recommends the recent root to be boiled in whey or broth. Dr. Pemberton
has more recently added his testimony to its value; he observes that he
has seen great advantage result from using the extract in chronic
inflammation, and incipient schirrhus of the liver, and in chronic
derangement of the stomach. FORMS OF EXHIBITION. In that of extract, or
in decoction made by boiling ℥j of the sliced root in oj of water down
to oss, adding to the strained liquid ʒj of Cream of tartar; the recent
full grown root only should be used. DOSE f℥jj, twice or thrice a day.
OFFICINAL PREP: _Extract: Taraxaci_. The roots are roasted and used at
Gottingen by the poorer people for coffee, from which a decoction of
them properly prepared can hardly be distinguished.[663] The leaves of
this plant are blanched, and very commonly used on the continent as a
salad.