Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale)

by MedlinePlus

Dandelion is a member of the Asteraceae/Compositae family closely related to chicory. It is a perennial herb, native throughout the Northern hemisphere, found growing wild in meadows, pastures and waste grounds of temperate zones. Most commercial dandelion is cultivated in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and the United Kingdom.

Dandelion was commonly used in Native American medicine. The Iroquois, Ojibwe and Rappahannock prepared infusions and decoctions of the root and herb to treat kidney disease, dyspepsia, and heartburn. In traditional Arabian medicine, dandelion has been used to treat liver and spleen ailments. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), dandelion is combined with other herbs to treat hepatitis, to enhance immune response to upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis or pneumonia, and as a topical compress for mastitis (breast inflammation).

Dandelion root and leaf are used widely in Europe for gastrointestinal ailments. The European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) recommends dandelion root for "restoration of hepatic and biliary function, dyspepsia [indigestion], and loss of appetite." The German Commission E authorizes the use of combination products containing dandelion root and herb for biliary abnormalities, appetite loss, dyspepsia, and for stimulation of diuresis (urine flow). Some modern naturopathic physicians assert that dandelion can detoxify the liver and gallbladder, reduce side effects of medications metabolized (processed) by the liver, and relieve symptoms associated with liver disease.

Dandelion is generally regarded as safe with rare side effects including contact dermatitis, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal upset. Traditionally, the herb is not recommended in patients with liver or gallbladder disease, based on the belief that dandelion stimulates bile secretion (an assertion not demonstrated in animal or human studies).

Dandelion is used as a salad ingredient, and the roasted root and its extracts are sometimes used as a coffee substitute.

Synonyms

Asteraceae (family), Blowball, cankerwort, clock flower, common dandelion, Cichoroideae (sub-family), Compositae (family), dandelion herb, dent de lion, diente de lion, dudhal, dumble-dor, fairy clock, fortune teller, hokouei-kon, huang hua di ding (yellow flower earth nail), irish daisy, Leontodon taraxacum , lion's teeth, lion's tooth, Lowenzahn, Lowenzahnwurzel, maelkebotte, milk gowan, min-deul-rre, mok's head, mongoloid dandelion, pee in the bed, pissenlit, piss-in-bed, pries' crown, priest'scrown, puffball, pu gong ying, pu kung ying, Radix taraxaci , swine snout, taraxaci herba, taraxacum, Taraxacum mongolicum , Taraxacum palustre , Taraxacum vulgare , telltime, white endive, wild endive, witch gowan, witches' milk, yellow flower earth nail.

Evidence

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.

Uses based on scientific evidence

Anti-inflammatory

Research in laboratory animals suggests that dandelion root may possess anti-inflammatory properties. There are no well-conducted human studies in this area.

Antioxidant

Several laboratory studies report antioxidant properties of dandelion flower extract, although this research is preliminary, and effects in humans are not known.

Cancer

Limited animal research does not provide a clear assessment of the effects of dandelion on tumor growth. There are no well-conducted human studies in this area.

Colitis

There is a report in several patients that a combination herbal preparation containing dandelion improved chronic pain associated with colitis. Because multiple herbs were used, and this study is not well designed or reported, the effects of dandelion are not clear.

Diabetes

There is limited animal research of the effects of dandelion on blood sugar levels in animals. One study reports decreases in glucose levels in non-diabetic rabbits, while another notes no changes in mice. Effects in humans are not known.

Diuretic (increased urine flow)

Dandelion leaves have traditionally been used to increase urine production and excretion. Animal studies report mixed results, and there is no reliable human research in this area.

Hepatitis B

One human study reports improved liver function in people with hepatitis B after taking a combination herbal preparation containing dandelion root, called Jiedu Yanggan Gao (also including Artemisia capillaris, Taraxacum mongolicum, Plantago seed, Cephalanoplos segetum, Hedyotis diffusa, Flos chrysanthemi indici, Smilax glabra, Astragalus membranaceus, Salviae miltiorrhizae, Fructus polygonii orientalis, Radix paeoniae alba, Polygonatum sibiricum). Because multiple herbs were used, and this study is not well designed or reported, the effects of dandelion are not clear.

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. 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.

Abscess, acne, age spots, AIDS, alcohol withdrawal, allergies, analgesia, anemia, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiviral, aphthous ulcers, appendicitis, appetite stimulant, arthritis, benign prostate hypertrophy, bile flow stimulation, bladder irritation, blood purifier, boils, breast augmentation, breast cancer, breast infection, breast inflammation, breast milk stimulation, bruises, cardiovascular disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, circulation, clogged arteries, coffee substitute, congestive heart failure, dandruff, diarrhea, dropsy, eye problems, fertility, fever reduction, food uses, frequent urination, gallbladder disease, gallstones, gas, gout, headache, heartburn, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, immune stimulation, increased sweating, jaundice, kidney disease, kidney stones, leukemia, liver disease, liver cleansing, menopause, menstrual period stimulation, muscle aches, nutrition, osteoarthritis, postpartum support, pregnancy, premenstrual syndrome, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, skin conditions, skin toner, smoking cessation, stiff joints, stimulant, stomachache, urinary stimulant, urinary tract inflammation, warts, weight loss.

About the Author

medlineplus.gov
MedlinePlus will direct you to information to help answer health questions. MedlinePlus brings together authoritative information from NLM, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations. MedlinePlus also has extensive information about drugs, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive patient tutorials, and latest health news.