Dandelion Root
Taraxacum officinale

Native to Europe and Asia, the dandelion has been valued in herbal folklore for more than a thousand years. Early colonists introduced dandelions to this continent, where Native Americans then adopted it as a healthful tonic. Our word "dandelion" comes from the French "dent de lion" or "lion's tooth," an apt description of the jagged shape of its leaves, which are a source of Vitamin A. Scientists have identified certain bitter principles in dandelion which may have a favorable influence on the digestive process.