Taraxacum officinale

Related Terms

Artemetin, Asteraceae (family), beta-carotene, blowball, caffeic acid, cankerwort, Cichoroideae (subfamily), clock flower, common dandelion, Compositae (family), dandelion herb, dandelion T-1 extract, dent de lion (French), diente de leon, dudhal, dumble-dor, epoxide, esculetin, fairy clock, fortune teller, hokouei-kon, huang hua di ding (yellow flower earth nail), Irish daisy, Lactuceae (tribe), Leontodon taraxacum, lion's teeth, lion's tooth, Lowenzahn (German), Lowenzahnwurzel (German), lutein, luteolin, luteolin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, m?lkeb?tte, milk gowan, min-deul-rre, mok's head, mongoloid dandelion, pee in the bed, pissenlit (French), piss-in-bed, potassium, pries' crown, priest's crown, puffball, pu gong ying, pu kung ying, quercetin, radix Taraxaci, stigmasterol, swine snout, Taraxaci herba, taraxacum, Taraxacum mongolicum, Taraxacum officinale, Taraxacum palustre, Taraxacum vulgare, taraxasteryl acetate, telltime, vitamin A, white endive, wild endive, witch gowan, witches' milk, yellow flower earth nail.

Background

Dandelion is closely related to chicory. It is found growing in meadows, pastures and waste grounds of moderate temperature.
Dandelion root and leaf are used widely in Europe for stomach and intestine conditions. Dandelion is authorized by the German Commission E to treat bile duct abnormalities, appetite loss, indigestion, and stimulation of urination.
Dandelion leaves are a source of vitamin A. Dandelion is used as a salad ingredient, and the roasted root and its extracts are sometimes used as a coffee substitute.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Non-human research suggests that dandelion root may possess anti-inflammatory properties. There is a lack of well-designed human studies in this area. Additional research is needed.
 C


Non-human research suggests that dandelion root may possess anti-inflammatory properties. There is a lack of well-designed human studies in this area. Additional research is needed.
 C


Several laboratory studies report antioxidant properties of dandelion flower extract. However, this research is preliminary and data in humans is lacking. Further research is warranted in this area.

 C


Several laboratory studies report antioxidant properties of dandelion flower extract. However, this research is preliminary and data in humans is lacking. Further research is warranted in this area.

 C


Limited animal research exists on the effects of dandelion on tumor growth, but the data is inconclusive. Additional high-quality human studies are needed in this area.

 C


Limited animal research exists on the effects of dandelion on tumor growth, but the data is inconclusive. Additional high-quality human studies are needed in this area.

 C


There is a report that a combination herbal preparation containing dandelion improved chronic pain associated with colitis. The effects of dandelion alone are unknown. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


There is a report that a combination herbal preparation containing dandelion improved chronic pain associated with colitis. The effects of dandelion alone are unknown. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


There is limited research on the effects of dandelion on blood sugar levels. One study reported decreases in glucose levels in non-human studies. Additional study is needed in this area.

 C


There is limited research on the effects of dandelion on blood sugar levels. One study reported decreases in glucose levels in non-human studies. Additional study is needed in this area.

 C


Dandelion leaves have traditionally been used to increase urine production and excretion. There is a lack of reliable human research in this area. Dandelion extract has been reported to increase fluid excretion and urination frequency. Further research in humans is needed.

C


Dandelion leaves have traditionally been used to increase urine production and excretion. There is a lack of reliable human research in this area. Dandelion extract has been reported to increase fluid excretion and urination frequency. Further research in humans is needed.

C


One study reported improved liver function in people with hepatitis B after taking a combination product with dandelion root. The effects of dandelion alone are unknown. Additional research is needed on this topic.

 C


One study reported improved liver function in people with hepatitis B after taking a combination product with dandelion root. The effects of dandelion alone are unknown. Additional research is needed on this topic.

 C


Early research suggests dandelion with penicillin is more effective than sodium penicillin alone for sore throat. Given the limited evidence, conclusions on the effects of dandelion alone are unclear. Additional studies are warranted.

 C


Early research suggests dandelion with penicillin is more effective than sodium penicillin alone for sore throat. Given the limited evidence, conclusions on the effects of dandelion alone are unclear. Additional studies are warranted.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Doses of 2-8 grams of dandelion dried root infusion or tea have been taken by mouth. As a leaf fluid extract, doses of 4-8 milliliters of an extract in alcohol have been taken by mouth. As a root alcoholic extract, doses of 1-2 teaspoons of a tincture in alcohol have been taken by mouth.
To increase urination (diuretic), 8 milliliters of dandelion leaf extract (Oregon's Wild Harvest, Sandy, OR) has been taken by mouth three times in one day in five-hour intervals.
To treat sore throat, compound dandelion soup was taken by mouth with 640,000 units of benzylpenicillin sodium once daily for three days.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Dandelion may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Dandelion may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Dandelion may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be increased in the blood, and may cause increased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. People using any medications should check the package insert, and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.
Many tinctures contain high levels of alcohol, and may cause nausea or vomiting when taken with metronidazole (Flagyl?) or disulfiram (Antabuse?).
Because dandelion contains estrogen like chemicals, the effects of other agents believed to have estrogen-like properties may be altered.
Dandelion may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
Dandelion may also interact with agents for gout, cancer; agents for pain relief; agents for the skin, stomach, and intestines; agents that increase sun sensitivity; agents that increase urination; anesthetics; antacids; antibiotics; anti-inflammatories; antivirals; appetite stimulants; bile acid sequestrants; cardiac glycosides such as digoxin; cholesterol-lowering agents; ciprofloxacin (Cipro?); corticosteroids; disulfiram (Antabuse?); doxylamine; hormonal agents; laxatives; lithium; metronidazole (Flagyl?); niacin/nicotinic acid; potassium; quinolones.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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