Dandelion or taraxacum is a herb growing in waste places, etc., in most northern countries. Its extract is regarded as a tonic. Chicory root is not unfrequently substituted for dandelion root in the preparation of fluid extracts.

The extract is prepared by exhausting the powdered herb with a mixture of equal parts of alcohol of 95 per cent, and water in a percolator in the usual way until the desired quantity of extract is obtained.