A plant record

Dandelion · Pisan (Dandelyon)

Taraxacum officinale · Asteraceae

A crossing plant — kept in both Haitian & Caribbean and Adriatic & Balkan traditions. Two shores, one root.

EnglishDandelion

KreyòlPisan (Dandelyon)

FrançaisPissenlit

BotanicalTaraxacum officinale

On the second shoreMaslačak

Also known asTaraxacum dens-leonis, pissenlit

FamilyAsteraceae

Dandelion (Pisan (Dandelyon)) — Taraxacum officinale, used in Haitian and Caribbean herbal tradition

Traditionally used

Dandelion is a whole-body bitter that wakes every digestive gland — saliva, stomach, pancreas, and above all liver and bile — and gently increases urine flow. It is a classic spring depurative, taken as pressed juice of leaves and roots or as a decoction of the dried plant. The roots are also eaten like a vegetable.

On the Adriatic shore

Čaj od maslačka: 1–2 žlice lišća na 250 ml, 10 min. Diuretik, jetra, anemija. Korijenov odvar: probavna gorčina, jetra. Mladi listovi: salata.

Prepared as

Leaf tea: steep 1 tbsp fresh or dried leaves in hot water 10 minutes, drink 1 cup before meals for digestion and liver. Root decoction: boil small piece of root 15 minutes, drink 1 cup daily as diuretic and detox. Young leaves eaten raw in salads as food medicine. Flower tea used for sleep.

In three languages

Kreyòl — FÈY: Diyrektik (replenish potasyòm). RASIN: Sipò fwa/fyèl, dyspepsi, laksatif dous. Manje noutritif. Pisan (pisanlit) kòn ann Ayiti kòm plant ki "netwaye san" ak "degorje fwa". Rasin ak fèy yo itilize nan enfizyon pou pwoblèm fwa ak dijestion difisil. Kèk medsin fèy rekòmande li pou tansyon wo (efè diyrektik).

Français — Le pissenlit est un amer qui stimule tout le système digestif — glandes salivaires, estomac, pancréas et surtout foie et bile — tout en augmentant doucement la diurèse. C'est un dépuratif de printemps classique, pris en suc frais des feuilles et racines ou en décoction de la plante séchée. Les racines se mangent aussi comme un légume.

Safety

Safety notes for this plant are still being written. Until they are, treat it with a cautious hand.

Plants can look similar and be misidentified — always verify with a local herbalist or guide before use.

Sources & lineage

European phytotherapy tradition; bitter principle taraxacin and inulin

Kept alongside