Taraxacum platycarpum is a member of the phytochemically active Asteraceae family and is most common in Asia. The genus Taraxacum has traditionally been used worldwide to treat ailments, including liver disease, hypertension, and sluggish digestion. Indeed, the medical prowess of the genus was understood by the Greeks, who named the genus Taraxacum after the words ‘taraxis’, meaning inflammation, and ‘akeomai,’ meaning curative.

Traditional Chinese Medicine used T. platycarpum to treat hepatitis and to enhance the immune response to bronchitis and pneumonia. A recent study has been carried out with the root of T. platycarpum, as triterpenes have been shown to increase the rate of skin fibroblast proliferation, indicating their potential use in anti-aging products. In addition, the guaianolide sesquiterpene, desacetylmatricarin, has been identified as the active principle responsible for anti-allergic properties.