Manila Science High School Taft Ave.

Manila

Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion) Leaves as Tea

Raphael Racho Danielle Amor Casil Fernando Martin Aguila Howard Barlomento Clyde Labay Researchers

III-Calvin Section

Mr. Eduardo P. Divina Research Adviser

INTRODUCTION

The urge of having a healthy lifestyle is inevitable. One way of achieving that is by having one product with several health benefits, one that should is cheap, easily accessible, effective, and easy to use, for short, an all in one product. The product should be able to relieve stress, increase productivity, and help maintain a young, healthy body. Luckily though, these can all be found in dandelion tea, the product that will give you what will give you all these benefits.

Background of the Study

While many people think of the common dandelion ( Taraxacum officinale) as a pesky weed, the researchers consider it a valuable herb with many culinary and medicinal uses. (Schutz, K; Carle, R;
Schieber, A 2006) Dandelion is a rich source of vitamins A, B-complex, C, and D, as well as minerals such

as iron, potassium and zinc. Potassium is essential since readily-made diuretics usually take away its leaves, which can be used to add flavor to foods and be used as tea. The roots can be found in tea as well.(Ryan English) In medicine, dandelion roots and leaves can be used treat liver problems, it also has several health benefits such as an antioxidant. Dandelion decoctions are made by boiling the herb in water to treat kidney disease and stomach upset. Today, dandelion roots may be used as an appetite stimulant, digestive aid or laxative and for liver & gallbladder function. Dandelion leaves are used as a diuretic to stimulate the excretion of urine, its strongest feature. (Richards, A.J. 1997). Hundreds of dandelion species grow in the regions of Europe, North America and Asia. Dandelion is a hardy, variable perennial that can grow to a height of nearly 12 inches. Dandelions have deeply notched, toothy, spatula-like leaves that are shiny and hairless. Dandelion stems are capped by bright yellow flowers. The grooved leaves funnel the flow of rainfall into the root.

Dandelion flowers are sensitive to light, so they open with the sun in the morning and close in the evening or during gloomy weather. The dark brown roots are fleshy and brittle and are filled with a white, milky substance that is bitter and slightly odorous. Dandelion leaves produce a diuretic effect while the roots act as an antiviral agent, appetite stimulant, digestive aid and may help promote gastrointestinal health. Dandelion has antioxidant properties. Dandelion may also help improve the immune system (Pellett, Frank Chapman 1920). Dandelion is a natural diuretic that increases urine production by promoting the excretion of salts and water from the kidneys. Dandelion may be used for a wide range of conditions requiring mild diuretic treatment, such as poor digestion, liver disorders and high blood pressure. Dandelion is a source of potassium, a nutrient often lost through the use of other natural and synthetic diuretics. Dandelion may be served in many ways to be effective but now we are only concentrating in making it as tea.

Statement of the Problem

The main purpose of the study is to make Dandelion tea as a natural and safe diuretic. Specifically, it aims to answer the following questions: 1. What are the properties/contents of Taraxacum officinale tea in terms of: a) Fats & oils content b) taste c) color d) smell e) texture 2. Based on its contents, does dandelion tea contain any beneficial chemicals? 3. How efficient is dandelion tea as an alternative natural herbal supplement?

Hypothesis
Dandelion tea will have little fats and oils, will be bland in taste, yellowish, and herbaceous in taste. Dandelion tea does contain beneficial chemicals like saponins and tannins that have useful properties. Dandelion tea (Taraxacum Officinale) has a desirable smell and taste.

Scope and Limitation

The researchers have not used any other plant specimen other than Taraxacum officinale. They have not used any other part of the plant aside from the leaves. They only tested dandelion tea for unique characteristics and features as a tea. These characteristics and features will be found in the chemicals present in the tea and will be the basis of its effects to our health and not through animal testing or further chemical testing.

Significance of the Study

This study will be beneficial because dandelion tea is cheap or even free, easy to make and its raw materials can be found in large amounts. It may contain several beneficial chemicals that help promote body health with less risks, increased effectively and easy use of this tea. It is one product with several benefits that help people in daily activities and work efficiency. It may help people with urinating problems can have easy access to the product. Using organic diuretics also removes the risk of toxic chemicals found in some diuretic drugs. It will also serve as a research background for other students.

METHODOLOGY Materials
The materials used are dried dandelion leaves and roots, water, cooking pot and the containers. The dandelion leaves were then used as the main component to make dandelion tea. Teabags have been bought for packaging purposes.

Procedure
Preparation: The researchers gathered all necessary materials that will be used in the research. Materials needed are found under the label of materials in the Methodology (see materials). The dandelion weed have been bought in bunches from the Bureau of plants (BPI, Quirino) to ensure a steady supply and to have trustworthy dandelions that will be used in the experimental phase. Other necessary material have been bought or, mostly, will be gathered as readily available material. Tea bags have been purchased from BPI as well. After the preparation of material, a recheck has been done to see whether the materials bought are complete. Total cost of materials has been computed, compiled and readied for latter purposes. With the materials obtained by the researchers, they have now proceeded to experimentation. Using the Dandelions, purchased, the researchers took its leaves. Other unnecessary parts such as the seeds, seed heads, stem etc. have not been used in the experiment. With the leaves gathered the researchers have begun air drying them. After 2 days, the number off days for the process of air drying to occur, the leaves have then been gathered. This will prevented any withering of the leaves therefore increasing shelf life. These have then been heated, for one minute in a microwave making it brittle and easy to crush. It was then strained top allow the gathering of the finest particles the packed in teabags.

Testing: With all the following materials processed, the researchers proceeded unto testing. With the dandelion tea packed in teabags the researchers went to the Department of science and Technology (DOST). There the tea has been tested for its properties as seen in the statement of the problem. After the testing the researchers have gathered all the data collected. This data has then been compared to the hypothesis, and has been analyzed further to allow graphical representations of the data.

Flow Chart

Preparation of dandelion and needed materials

I I V
Air drying, heating and packaging of dandelion leaves

I I V

Testing of tea and gathering of data

Research Design
The researchers have made the dandelion tea within the span of three days, after which has been sent and analyzed in a laboratory in DOST. Characteristics to be observed and analyzed are found in the statement of the problem.

Risk Hazard
There has been no observable or risks in performing this experiment.

Disposal Method
The other dandelion parts have been disposed by burying them in soil. Bibliography 1. Divinagarcia G.L, D.B.M, Taraxacum officinale Natures Guide to Healthful Living

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(2010). Hepatocurative potential of sesquiterpene lactones of Taraxacum officinale on carbon tetrachloride induced liver toxicity in mice. Acta Biologica Hungarica 61(2):175-190.

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pharmacological profile".Journal of Ethnopharmacology 107 (3): 313323.

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Time Frame
Starting Sept. 6- Sept. 30, 2011

Sept.3- Sept. 4

Agreement BPI and DOST

Sept. 6

Gathering of materials from agreed institution.

Sept. 8

Tea production

Sept. 16

Testing for results with agreed institution

Sept. 19- Sept. 23

First week of experimentation

Sept. 24- 25

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES

Dandelion Taraxacum officinale, is a herbaceous perennial plant of the family Asteraceae. It can be found growing in temperate regions of the world, in lawns, on roadsides, on disturbed banks and shores of water ways, and other areas with moist soils. T. officinale is considered a weedy species, especially in lawns and along roadsides, but it is sometimes used as a medical herb and in food preparation. As a nearly cosmopolitan weed, Dandelion is best known for its yellow flower heads that turn into round balls of silver tufted fruits that blow away on the wind. Morley, T. I. (1969)

Dandelion leaf tea is an excellent supplement for helping with digestive issues, such as diarrhea and constipation. It is also used in many herbal detoxification formulas. Dandelion tea is also a diuretic that helps improve liver and kidney function. It can aid sufferers of hepatitis and those with liver disease. The tea is believed to regulate electrolytes in the blood, which may help to restore balance after a bout of diarrhea or vomiting. SBI (2009)

Traditionally, dandelion has been used to cure breast illnesses, bloating, disorders of the gastrointestinal system, aching joints, and skin conditions. The leaves have large amounts of numerous vitamins, including A, C, D, and B-complexes, as well as minerals like iron, magnesium, zinc potassium, manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon. Natural Herbal Remedies, Medicine, and Supplements (2010) Diuretics A diuretic provides a means of forced diuresis which elevates the rate of urination. There are several categories of diuretics. All diuretics increase the excretion of water from bodies, although each class does so in a distinct way. Shankaran S, Liang KC Diuretics, sometimes called water pills, help rid your body of salt (sodium) and water. They work by making your kidneys put more sodium into your urine. The sodium, in turn, takes water with it from your

blood. That decreases the amount of fluid flowing through your blood vessels, which reduces pressure on the walls of your arteries.By Mayo Clinic Staff Diuretic: Anything that promotes the formation of urine by the kidney.

Tea Tea is the agricultural product of the leaves, leaf buds, and internodes of various cultivars and subvarieties of the Camellia sinensis plant, processed and cured using various methods. "Tea" also refers to the aromatic beverage prepared from the cured leaves by combination with hot or boiling water, and is the common name for the Camellia sinensis plant itself. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. It has a cooling, slightly bitter, astringent flavour which many enjoy. Anna Russell, Duchess of Bedford There are over 3000 varieties of tea, not including botanicals and fruit infusions. To be a tea, it must come from the camellia sinensis plant. There are several varieties of this plant, producing many types of teas. Types depend on the manufacturing and crafting of the leaf. The flavor profiles and quality change year to year, like wine, and is influenced by soil, temperature, rainfall, elevation and other elements in nature. Even the botanicals growing nearby can affect the flavors of the tea. Mootz Run, Ltd & Petali Teas 2010 Tea is a beverage made by steeping the dried leaves, buds, and twigs of the Camellia sinensis plant in warm to hot water. Depending on how the plant material is handled, the flavor and color of the tea can vary widely, and many teas also include additional flavorings, which complicate the flavor even further. Some people also refer to beverages made with other plants as teas, although this is actually incorrect; unless the drink contains Camellia sinensis, it cannot be called tea.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Dandelion Tea Properties

QUALITATIVE TESTS

RESULTS

INDICATIONS

Filter Paper Test

Greasy appearance observed after drying of filter paper

Presence of fats & oils

Dragendorffs Test

No reaction (-)

Absence of alkaloids

Ferric Chloride Test

Blue-black color (+)

Presence of tannins

Froth Test

Froth formed less than 2 cm (-)

Absence of saponins

Sodium Carbonate Test

Non-formation of stable & dense froth (-)

Absence of free fatty acids

Bate-Smith and Metcalf Test

Red color (+)

Presence of leucoanthocyanins

Based on the results above, the tea tested positive for fats, oils, tannins & leucoanthocyanins. Tannins and leucoanthocyanins helps in promoting urination making it a potential diuretic. A dandelion tea also contains tannins, like in most teas, is a natural antioxidant that prevents the production of free radicals and helps maintain a healthier and younger body. Health problems such as heart disease, macular degeneration, diabetes, cancer are all contributed by oxidative damage. Antioxidants may also enhance immune defense and therefore lower the risk of cancer and infection. Tannins also help keep bad bacteria out of your mouth, and tannins help to impede dental cavities. They also have antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and ant parasitic effects. The bad side is, tannins absorb iron your body needs impeding yourself from having it. Too much of this substance may cause you to have a lack

of iron promoting diseases such as osteoporosis. It is not advisable to drink dandelion tea during meals, to prevent the absorption of iron intake. It is said that a drop of lemon can help counter act this. It also contains leucoanthocyanins which helps stimulate excitement in ones brain, enhances a persons mood and thus decreasing stress, it also enhances though and perception which may help us solve daily problems, or become more efficient at work. It also is a stimulant with considerably less side effects compared to other stimulants. Intellectual or memory impairment should be minimal; stupor, narcosis, or excessive stimulation should not be an integral effect; autonomic nervous system side effects should be minimal; and addictive craving should be absent. Absence from free fatty acids prevents insulin resistance which leads to diabetes; it also reduces the risk of having diabetes and obesity. This results in a better and healthier tea. It however, contains the normal fats and oils which helps is important for many body processes. Fat protects your organs, keeps you warm and helps your body absorb and move nutrients around. It also helps hormone production. The rare but beneficial plant alkaloid, sadly, is not present in dandelion tea; however, it does reduce the teas side effects from overuse of the product such as vomiting, diarrhea, or even its effects to the nervous system, thus making it safer for ordinary people from using it as an alkaloid requires careful administering by professionals. It also lacks saponins which helps in the absorption of nutrients, lessens cholesterol and helps aid against risks from the heart which is becoming very popular worldwide. Saponins though are potentially lethal which contains sapotoxins which can poison our body. All in all, the tea does lack very useful and beneficial nutrients, but by eliminating these chemicals it is made safer to use by people and can be a very safe and easy to reach supplement or remedy. The lack of these chemicals does not make the tea worthless, tannins and leucoanthocyanins are chemicals enough that give the researchers wanted for the tea, making it a still useful and beneficial product. The lack of free fatty acids also makes it safer and healthier.

Sensory Evaluation of Tea Extract:

Sense

Evaluation

Odor

herbaceous

Taste

bland/no distinctive taste

Color

brownish yellow

The characteristics of the tea make it common for other people to resemble it as tea. These characteristics were desired by the researches as it makes it more familiar, and gives a sense and feeling that the product being taken is in fact tea.

Summary
Researchers used their time wisely but had an unexpected delay because the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) waited for the payment to be completed before testing the product despite making a promise that they will finish it as soon as possible. They finished their product in the month of December. The taste is bland because their tea did not contain any artificial sweetening agents. Also, their tea has been fairly cheap to make because of the rather low cost of dandelions which were used as the main ingredient. Moreover, the researchers had spent an ample amount of time on their project as they spent a total of close to 2 months on their research so it is safe to say that time was not a constraint on their research project.

Conclusion

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