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| Image by Grok AI |
Why I wrote this
I started this series because I believe dandelion has been unfairly demonized as a “weed” while its traditional uses and emerging research point to real potential. I’m not a doctor or scientist—just someone who thinks people deserve to see the full picture without pharmaceutical gatekeeping. This post is part of my effort to document what I’m finding so others (maybe years from now) can decide for themselves.
I started this series because I believe dandelion has been unfairly demonized as a “weed” while its traditional uses and emerging research point to real potential. I’m not a doctor or scientist—just someone who thinks people deserve to see the full picture without pharmaceutical gatekeeping. This post is part of my effort to document what I’m finding so others (maybe years from now) can decide for themselves.
Dandelion Conspiracy Blog Series Web Links: Part1 - Part2 - Part3
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| Big Pharma cannot copyright or patent natural remedies in their raw, naturally occurring form—and that's a key reason why plants like dandelion, turmeric, ginger, or other traditional herbal remedies often stay in the public domain rather than becoming exclusive blockbuster drugs. |
dyk Y more "real life" human trials w/ Dandelion that stops cancer and spike proteins have not been done??? > h/t @grok for the breakdown: https://t.co/BGC66mxcK8 as I stated numerous Xs its a #dandelionconspiracy
— Scotty (@StLHandyMan) February 3, 2026
big pharma can't copyright natural remedies.
You're absolutely right: Big Pharma cannot copyright or patent natural remedies in their raw, naturally occurring form—and that's a key reason why plants like dandelion, turmeric, ginger, or other traditional herbal remedies often stay in the public domain rather than becoming exclusive blockbuster drugs.To clarify the distinction first:Copyright protects original creative expressions (books, music, software
code, etc.). It doesn't apply to remedies, plants, or substances at all. No one
copyrights a plant or a natural treatment.
Patents are what matter here for medicines—they protect inventions
Patents are what matter here for medicines—they protect inventions
(new compositions, processes, uses, etc.) for about 20 years, giving the holder
monopoly rights to sell without direct competition.
Why Natural Remedies Themselves Can't Be PatentedUnder U.S. patent law (USPTO guidelines, shaped by Supreme Court rulings like Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics in 2013 and Mayo v. Prometheus), products of nature are not patent-eligible subject matter. This includes:Naturally occurring plants, leaves, roots, or flowers (e.g., dandelion itself).
Isolated or purified natural compounds (e.g., taraxasterol from dandelion,
Why Natural Remedies Themselves Can't Be PatentedUnder U.S. patent law (USPTO guidelines, shaped by Supreme Court rulings like Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics in 2013 and Mayo v. Prometheus), products of nature are not patent-eligible subject matter. This includes:Naturally occurring plants, leaves, roots, or flowers (e.g., dandelion itself).
Isolated or purified natural compounds (e.g., taraxasterol from dandelion,
curcumin from turmeric, or any single molecule found in a plant).
Mere discovery of a natural substance's use (e.g., "dandelion root inhibits
Mere discovery of a natural substance's use (e.g., "dandelion root inhibits
cancer cells" if it's just the isolated plant material).
The law treats these as "laws of nature," "natural phenomena," or "products of nature"—judicial exceptions that cannot be patented, even if isolated or purified. The reasoning: you can't "own" something that already exists in nature without adding human invention that makes it "significantly different" or "markedly different" from what's found in the wild.This principle has been reinforced in recent years, making it harder to patent isolated natural products than in the past.
What Big Pharma Can Patent (and Often Does)While the raw plant or simple extract can't be patented, companies work around this by patenting modifications or innovations built around natural substances. Common strategies include:Modified or synthetic versions — Slight chemical tweaks (adding a group,
The law treats these as "laws of nature," "natural phenomena," or "products of nature"—judicial exceptions that cannot be patented, even if isolated or purified. The reasoning: you can't "own" something that already exists in nature without adding human invention that makes it "significantly different" or "markedly different" from what's found in the wild.This principle has been reinforced in recent years, making it harder to patent isolated natural products than in the past.
What Big Pharma Can Patent (and Often Does)While the raw plant or simple extract can't be patented, companies work around this by patenting modifications or innovations built around natural substances. Common strategies include:Modified or synthetic versions — Slight chemical tweaks (adding a group,
changing structure) create a "new" molecule not found in nature.
Formulations and combinations — Specific blends, ratios, delivery systems
Formulations and combinations — Specific blends, ratios, delivery systems
(e.g., encapsulated, fermented, or combined with other ingredients) that
produce unexpected or synergistic effects.
New methods of use — Novel ways to administer or apply the substance
New methods of use — Novel ways to administer or apply the substance
(e.g., a specific dosing regimen for a new indication).
Processes — Unique extraction, purification, or manufacturing methods.
Compositions with added features — Stabilized forms, coated versions,
Processes — Unique extraction, purification, or manufacturing methods.
Compositions with added features — Stabilized forms, coated versions,
or mixtures that differ from natural states.
Examples from real patents:Fermented extracts of plants (e.g., bitter orange aerial parts).
Grape seed extracts with specific processing.
Combinations like sulforaphane + milk thistle extract for particular effects.
Aqueous seaweed concentrates or other complex mixtures.
These can get patented because they claim something "significantly different" from pure nature. But the base plant or simple tea/tincture? Still free for anyone to grow, harvest, brew, or sell.Why This Matters (The Incentive Angle)Pharma companies invest billions in R&D and clinical trials. Patents let them recoup that via high prices during exclusivity. Natural remedies, being unpatentable in basic form, offer little financial incentive for large-scale, gold-standard human trials—anyone could copy and sell a dandelion root tea without paying royalties. This contributes to the pattern where promising lab/animal data on herbs often stays preliminary, while synthetic or modified drugs get fast-tracked.
That said, natural products remain widely available as foods, teas, or supplements (regulated differently under DSHEA in the U.S., with less rigorous pre-market proof required). People can (and do) use them freely, which is exactly why community sharing around dandelions and similar plants keeps growing.
Tea and Powders look to be the best avenue >
— Scotty (@StLHandyMan) February 3, 2026
h/t @grok "EssentialOils don't capture all healing properties—water-soluble compounds like phenolic acids are better in teas, tinctures..." https://t.co/sqngqzcoQj
the only doctors worth trusting ride brooms pic.twitter.com/QZRKw556lq
— Scotty (@StLHandyMan) February 3, 2026
— Scotty (@StLHandyMan) February 3, 2026
"big pharma can't copyright natural remedies" h/t Scotty
Big Pharma cannot copyright or patent natural remedies in their raw, naturally occurring form—and that's a key reason why plants like dandelion, turmeric, ginger, or other traditional herbal remedies often stay in the public domain rather than becoming exclusive blockbuster drugs.images by grok:
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| Grok AI Signature |
The signature came out looking like a doctor's prescription scribble!
Classic AI handwriting attempt. I think it adds character though — kind of fits the underground, backyard-rebel vibe of the Dandelion Conspiracy series.
A note from Grok & Scotty: Written Feb 2026. This is not medical advice. I’m archiving these thoughts because I/We think future generations should know that some of us questioned the dominant narratives around natural remedies, suppression of information, and who really benefits from certain health policies. Feel free to save, share, or ignore — just wanted the record to exist.
Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purpose such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favour of fair use.
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