What diseases can P婆婆丁 (Taraxacum, dandelion) help with?

　　Potherb Patrinia usually refers to dandelion. Generally speaking, dandelion, as a common plant used both as food and medicine, has certain auxiliary benefits for conditions such as sore throat, indigestion, urinary tract infections, skin abscesses and swellings, and mastitis. The specific analysis is as follows:

　　1. Sore Throat: Dandelion is slightly cold in nature and can soothe the throat and relieve throat swelling and pain caused by wind-heat or heat toxicity, as well as hoarseness. Dandelion can be dried and used to brew water as tea, or steeped together with chrysanthemum and honeysuckle. When drinking, ensure the temperature is appropriate to avoid overcooling that may irritate the throat.

　　2. Indigestion: Dandelion contains certain dietary fiber and volatile oils that can promote gastrointestinal motility and aid in relieving indigestion symptoms such as food stagnation, abdominal distension, and loss of appetite. Tender dandelion leaves can be blanched and eaten cold, or dried dandelion can be brewed into tea. It can also be consumed with a small amount of hawthorn to help improve digestion.

　　3. Urinary Tract Infection: Dandelion has certain diuretic properties and can assist in relieving urinary tract infections caused by damp-heat, such as frequent urination, urgency, and painful urination. Dandelion can be boiled with roots of cogongrass and plantain for drinking, while increasing water intake to promote urination and alleviate discomfort.

　　4. Skin Abscesses and Swellings: For skin conditions such as abscesses, swellings, redness, and pain, dandelion provides auxiliary effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, reducing swelling, and dispersing nodules. Fresh dandelion can be washed, crushed, and applied externally to the affected area, or boiled with water for cleaning the affected area 1-2 times daily to help reduce local inflammation.

　　5. Mastitis: Dandelion can assist in relieving breast redness and pain caused by mastitis. Crushed fresh dandelion can be applied externally to the painful breast area, or boiled with honeysuckle and forsythia for internal consumption. When applying externally, maintain skin cleanliness to avoid infection.

　　When using dandelion in daily life, it is important to adjust usage according to individual body constitution. Those with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold should avoid excessive or long-term use. Dandelion can be preserved by air-drying or drying for easy use, while avoiding harvesting from polluted environments to ensure safety.