TAEAXAOUM ' 559 



Taraxacum. Taraxacum. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym.— Ta.vsi.xici radix, B.P.; dandelion, E.; pissenlit, 

 dent de lion, Fr.; Ibwenzahn, G. 



The root of Taraxacum officinale Weber (nat. ord. Com- 

 positse), gathered in autumn. 



Habitat. — Naturalized in the United States and growicg 

 commonly in waste places. Indigenous in Europe. 



Description. — Slightly conical, about 30 Cm. long, and 1 

 or 2 Cm. thick above, crowneil with several short, thickish 

 heads, somewhat branched, dark brown, longitudinally 

 wrinkled, when dry breaking with a short fracture, showing 

 a yellowish, porous central axis, surrounded by a thick, 

 white bark, containing numerous milk vessels arranged 

 in concentric circles ; inodorous ; bitter. It should be free 

 from the root of Cichorium Intybus Linne (nat. ord. Com- 

 positse), which closely resembles it, but is usually paler, and 

 has the milk-vessels in radiating lines. 



Constituents. — 1, taraxacin, a bitter, soluble, crystalline 

 substance ; 2, inulin ; 3, taraxacerin (CgHigO); 4, resin, causing 

 the milky juice. 



Dose.—K., I i.-ii. (30.-60.); Sh. & Sw., 3 ii.-iv. (8.-15.); D., 

 3i.-ii. (4-8.). 



PREPARATIONS. 



Extractum Taraxaci. Extract of Taraxacum. (U. S. & B. P.) 

 Made by bruising and expressing the juice from tbe fresh roots 



gathered in autumn. The juice is strained and evaporated to a pilular 



consistence. 



Dose.— H. & C, 3 i.-iv. (4.-15.); D., gr.v.-xx. (.3-1.3.). 



Fluidextraotum Taraxaci. Fluidextraot of Taraxacum. (U. S, P.) 

 Made by maceration and percolation with diluted alcohol, and 



evaporation, so that 1 co. = 1 gm. of taraxacum. 

 Dose. — Same as taraxacum. 



Extractum Taraxici Liquidum. (B. P.) 

 Dose. — Same as taraxacum. 



Administration.— The fresh juice squeezed from the root 

 (succus, B.P.) may be given to horses ; or the official pre- 

 parations may be used. 



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