In The Killing Fields

Subject:   When Did The Dandelion Become "Deadly"?----
Date:       Wed, 31 May 2000 11:11:08 -0400
From:        Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization:     Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)

To:     Lyndon Hawkins <hawkins@empm.cdpr.ca.gov>
          Senior Research Scientist
          State of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation - Integrated Pest Management

Dear Lyndon, I just was told by a very dear friend of mine with MCS and a MCS wife in the hospital that he had decided to make his neighbor's "happy" and to "treat" his own yard to "control" dandelions. I thought about this a lot as I traveled home from Tampa. I thought I would like to point out some interesting facts about the medicinal benefits of the 'evil' dandelion (taraxacum oficinale). I hope that this data is circulated and posted in public places (Doctor's offices, supermarkets, etc.) to inform people about this "evil" plant.

It is ironic that the power of advertising has caused humankind to react by spending millions of dollars waging chemical warfare on the "deadly" dandelion while risking everyone's health rather than embracing them on their lawns.

A Japanese study performed in 1979 found that an alcoholic extract of a local plant, taraxacum oficinale, administered to mice for 10 days, markedly inhibited the growth of inoculated Ehrlich ascites cancer cells within a week after treatment. A freeze-dried, warm-water extract of the plant's root was patented by the Japanese in 1979 for use as an anti-cancer agent. These and other findings lend support to the Chinese use of this plant for breast cancer.

For over a century, taraxacum oficinale was regarded as an official drug in the United States, and the dried root remains listed in the U.S. pharmacopoeia. Its primary pharmacological activities relate to digestion, liver function and diuresis. High in insulin, the plant has demonstrated experimental hypoglycemic activity in several animal studies. Because insulin is composed of fructose chains, it may act to buffer blood glucose levels, thus preventing sudden and severe fluctuations.

Many studies show that taraxacum oficinale is a rich source of vitamins (C, D and B-complex) and minerals (magnesium, iron, silicon, copper, phosphorus, zinc, potassium and manganese). It also contains relatively high amounts of choline, an important nutrient for the liver, and its leaves have the highest Vitamin A content of all greens (14,000 International Units per 100 grams).

Taraxacum oficinale has been in constant use as both a food and medicine for at least 1000 years in various cultures throughout the world. It is recognized as one of the most time-honoured, effective and popular folk remedies, and is extremely safe, even in large amounts. The ancient Egyptians knew and used it, and Theoprastus described and praised its remedial powers 300 years before the Common Era/Christ.

It has many redeeming qualities as a contributor to the environment, providing a wealth of mineral-rich composted matter and an abundant source of early season food and incentive for the pollinator community. The persistent taproots are effective in breaking up the hardest of hardpan soils, and often play crucial roles in erosion control.

Yet, year after year, North Americans spend many millions of dollars waging chemical warfare - often with known or suspected carcinogens - against taraxacum oficinale, the bright yellow wildflower that is a perennial favorite in children's bouquets and flower chains. Its common name is dandelion.

(Main source of information: The Healing Power Of Herbs, Michael Murray, ND, Prima Publishing, 2nd Edition, 1995)

Well Lyndon, I really believe to use your cancer causing ("registered") POISONS to "control" beneficial plants is the height of "Better Living Through Chemistry"!!!!! If you insist you can safely control dandelions by mowing and by improving the soil. But, there really is no reason to control them at all - the bright and cheerful little blooms only last for a few weeks at most. What do you believe is the true IPM solution?

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