Dandelion

Effects and Benefits

Core Identification

Common Names:
- Dandelion
- Lion's Tooth
- Blowball
- Piss-en-lit (French, referring to diuretic effect)
- Wild Endive
- Priest's Crown

Latin Name: Taraxacum officinale

Category: Herb

Important Note: Dandelion LEAF and ROOT have different uses. Leaf is preferred for diuretic effects; root is preferred for liver/digestive support.

Uses

Traditional Uses

• Liver and gallbladder support (jaundice, gallstones) - European herbalism, centuries
• Digestive bitter and appetite stimulant - Traditional Western herbalism, centuries
• Diuretic for fluid retention and dropsy - European folk medicine, centuries
• Heartburn relief and bitter tonic - Native American medicine, traditional
• Chronic skin conditions - European herbalism, traditional
• Sluggish liver and spleen enlargement - Traditional Western herbalism
• Muscular rheumatism - European folk medicine

Modern Uses

• Diuretic (Leaf) - Promotes urine production without depleting potassium | Research quality: Moderate
• Key findings: Strong diuretic effect demonstrated in experimental models, comparable to frusemide (furosemide) in some studies. Unique among diuretics for its high potassium content, which helps prevent the electrolyte depletion common with pharmaceutical diuretics.

• Source citations: Bone, Kerry - A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs

• Liver Support and Bile Stimulation (Root) - Choleretic and cholagogue activity | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Stimulates bile secretion and supports liver detoxification pathways. Research demonstrates liver regeneration effects following toxic damage in laboratory models.

• Source citations: Bone, Kerry - A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs; Domitrovic, Robert et al. (2010) - liver regeneration study

• Anti-inflammatory - Reduces inflammatory markers | Research quality: Preliminary

• Key findings: Laboratory studies in mice demonstrate anti-inflammatory activity.

• Source citations: Jeon, Hye-Jin et al. (2008)

• Antioxidant - Free radical scavenging activity | Research quality: Preliminary

• Key findings: Strong antioxidant activity demonstrated with dried root powder in laboratory studies.

• Source citations: Sumanth, M. & Rana, A.C. (2006)

• Digestive Support - Bitter tonic stimulates digestive secretions | Research quality: Traditional/Preliminary

• Key findings: Bitter compounds stimulate gastric acid and digestive enzyme production. Used for atonic dyspepsia with constipation.
• Source citations: Hoffman, David - Holistic Herbal

Active Compounds

Primary Active Ingredients:
- Sesquiterpene lactones - Bitter compounds responsible for digestive-stimulating effects; also allergenic in sensitive individuals
- Triterpenes - Contribute to liver-protective and anti-inflammatory effects
- Polysaccharides - Prebiotic activity, support beneficial gut flora
- Taraxacoside (root) - Bitter glycoside supporting digestive function
- Phenolic acids (root) - Antioxidant compounds
- Coumarins (leaf) - Various biological activities
- Carotenoids (leaf) - Antioxidant pigments
- Minerals - Notably high in potassium (leaf and root), also calcium

Dosage Information

Note: Dandelion LEAF and ROOT have different uses and dosages. Leaf is preferred for diuretic effects; root is preferred for liver/digestive support.

Standard Dosage:

Dandelion Leaf:
- Tea: 5-9 grams dried leaf total daily, divided into small doses
- Tincture (dried leaf, 1:5, 30% alcohol): 3-4 mL three times daily
- Liquid extract (1:1): 6-11.5 mL daily

Dandelion Root:
- Decoction: 9-15 grams per day
- Tincture (fresh root, 1:2, 30% alcohol): 4-5 mL three times daily
- Liquid extract (1:2): 3-6 mL daily
- Basic tincture: 30-50 drops, 3-4 times daily

Therapeutic Dosage:
- Tincture (root or leaf): 150-300 drops (5-10 mL) three times daily for more intensive support
- Tea (decoction): 1 cup twice daily
- Duration: Use 6 days per week with one day off; after 3-4 weeks, take a few days break
- For tonic use: 1 month to 1 year as appropriate

Maximum Safe Dosage:
- Chinese medicine uses up to 9-30 grams daily
- Western practice typically uses 6-24 grams daily (decoction) or 3-6 grams daily (tincture equivalent)
- No established toxic dose; generally considered very safe

Bioavailability Notes:
- Fresh preparations may be more potent than dried for some applications
- As a bitter herb, taste receptors on the tongue contribute to its digestive effects—avoid masking bitterness in capsules if using for digestive support
- High mineral content (especially potassium) contributes to nutritional benefits

How to Take It

Timing:
- For digestive support: Take 15-30 minutes before meals to stimulate digestive secretions
- For diuretic effect: Take earlier in the day to avoid nighttime urination
- For liver support: Can be taken with or without food
- General tonic use: Divide daily dose into 2-3 portions throughout the day

Synergies - What It Works Well With

Complementary Supplements:
1. Milk Thistle - Both support liver function through different mechanisms | Combined for comprehensive liver support
2. Artichoke Leaf - Fellow bitter and cholagogue | Synergistic for bile flow and digestive support
3. Burdock Root - Traditional combination for skin conditions and detoxification | Classic "alterative" pairing; together they make the traditional "dandelion and burdock" drink
4. Nettle Leaf - Both nutritive and supportive of kidney function | Combined for gentle fluid balance
5. Yellow Dock - Traditional pairing for liver and digestive support | Combined in many classic formulas

Avoidance - What NOT to Combine With

Supplement Interactions:
1. Potassium supplements - Dandelion leaf is already high in potassium | May interfere with absorption or contribute to excess potassium in sensitive individuals

Drug Interactions:
1. Fluoroquinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, lomefloxacin, norfloxacin, enoxacin) - Dandelion may reduce peak drug concentrations | Reduced antibiotic effectiveness | Severity: Moderate - avoid during antibiotic treatment
2. Blood thinners/Anticoagulants - May increase bleeding risk | Monitor closely if combining | Severity: Moderate
3. Lithium - Diuretic effect may affect lithium levels | Potential toxicity | Severity: Moderate - use with caution
4. Diabetes medications - May enhance blood sugar lowering effects | Hypoglycemia risk | Severity: Mild to Moderate - monitor blood sugar

Food Interactions:
- No significant food interactions known
- High-potassium foods combined with large doses of dandelion leaf may be a consideration for those monitoring potassium intake

Contraindications:
- Bile duct obstruction or closure - do not use
- Acute cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation) - do not use
- Intestinal obstruction - do not use
- Known allergy to Compositae/Asteraceae family (ragweed, daisies, chrysanthemums, marigolds) - avoid due to cross-reactivity risk

Safety Information

Long-Term Use:
- Generally considered safe for long-term use
- No toxicity demonstrated in studies
- Safe during pregnancy and lactation according to traditional use (no adverse effects expected), though some sources recommend moderation
- High in vitamins and minerals, contributing to nutritional status
- Prebiotic properties may support gut health over time

Possible Side Effects (Rare):
- Heartburn or increased stomach acidity
- Stomachache or mild diarrhea
- Contact dermatitis (from handling fresh plant, due to sesquiterpene lactones)
- Allergic reactions in Compositae-sensitive individuals
- May worsen ulcer pain in those with existing ulcers

Cautions:
- Use root with caution if gallstones are present (may stimulate gallbladder contraction)
- Not a substitute for pharmaceutical diuretics in treating hypertension
- Those with kidney disease should consult healthcare provider before use

Primary Uses At-a-Glance

Primary: Diuretic (leaf), liver support (root), bile stimulation, digestive bitter, fluid retention, water retention

Secondary: Skin conditions, constipation, poor appetite, detoxification, spring tonic, mild edema

Sources

Local Library:
- Bone, Kerry - A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs – dosage information (leaf and root), diuretic and choleretic actions, weekly dosage ranges
- Green, James - The Herbal Medicine-Makers Handbook – tincture dosages, cycling recommendations, duration of use
- de la Forêt, Rosalee - Alchemy of Herbs – tea and tincture dosages, preparation ratios
- Hoffman, David - Holistic Herbal – traditional uses, digestive applications
- Balch, Phyllis - Prescription for Herbal Healing – contraindications, drug interactions, side effects
- Chevallier, Andrew - Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine – traditional uses, safety information
- Mars, Brigitte - The Home Reference to Holistic Health and Healing – general applications
- Medicinal & Edible Plants, Traditional Plant Uses, and Scientific Plant Studies Plant Field Guide – scientific study citations (Jeon 2008, Sumanth 2006, Domitrovic 2010)

General Knowledge:
- USP/NF historical status
- Botanical description and distribution
- General safety profile