Dandelion: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
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Scientific name(s)
Taraxacum officinale
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Sterols
Inulin
Terpenic lactones
Taraxacoside
Germacronolides
Chlorogenic acid
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Urinary infections ✪✪✪✪✪
Dandelion has long been used as a diuretic in traditional medicine; however, scientific and clinical evidence supporting this use is limited to animal studies. The high potassium content of dandelion is thought to be partly responsible for its diuretic activity. A significant increase in urination frequency was confirmed in a small study (n = 17) where volunteers were administered, in a single day, 8 ml of a hydroethanolic extract of high-quality dandelion leaves 1:1, and urine output was compared to the 2 previous days. The effect was apparent in the 5-hour period immediately following the first dose, indicating relatively rapid effects. There was also a significant increase in urine volume in the 5-hour period after the second extract dose. A randomized, double-blind, controlled study conducted on 57 women with recurrent cystitis revealed that a preparation called Uva-E (a combination of bearberry leaves and dandelion root) significantly reduced the frequency of cystitis recurrences compared to placebo. After 12 months, none of the patients taking Uva-E had recurrent cystitis, compared to 23% recurrence in the control group. In this combination, bearberry is used for its antibacterial properties and dandelion is used to increase urination.
Posologie
Oral: root, leaf
4 - 15 g
powder, mother tincture, dry extract
Synergies
The diuretic effect in human subjects of an extract of Taraxacum officinale folium over a single day
Prophylactic effect of UVA-E in women with recurrent cystitis: A preliminary report
Community herbal monograph on Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wigg., radix cum herba
E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs
Constipation ✪✪✪✪✪
Due to its inulin and potassium content, dandelion has a mild laxative effect and is useful in improving constipation and intestinal discomfort.
Posologie
Oral: root
3 - 15 g
powder, mother tincture, dry extract
Digestive Disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
The EMA recommends Dandelion as a traditional herbal medicine for the relief of symptoms related to mild digestive disorders (such as the feeling of abdominal fullness, flatulence, and slow digestion) and temporary loss of appetite. The European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) recommends dandelion root for "the restoration of liver and biliary function, dyspepsia, and loss of appetite".
Posologie
Oral: root
3 - 15 g
powder, mother tincture, dry extract
Irritable Bowel Syndrome ✪✪✪✪✪
A case series of 24 patients with non-specific chronic colitis treated with a formula composed of dandelion (specifically, T officinal), St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), marigold (Calendula officinalis), and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) demonstrated a remarkable symptomatic improvement in stool normalization and pain reduction. The use of Dandelion root is not documented in studies for IBS, but this use is traditional and related to its choleretic and cholagogue properties.
Posologie
Oral: root
3 - 15 g
powder, mother tincture, dry extract
Synergies
Community herbal monograph on Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wigg., radix cum herba
E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs
Increase Appetite ✪✪✪✪✪
The EMA and ESCOP recommend Dandelion for temporary loss of appetite.
Posologie
Oral: root
3 - 15 g
powder, mother tincture, dry extract
Water Retention ✪✪✪✪✪
A small clinical trial confirmed that oral intake of a dandelion leaf extract significantly increases urine output.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
4 - 15 g
powder, mother tincture, dry extract
Cellulite ✪✪✪✪✪
A small clinical trial confirmed that oral intake of a dandelion leaf extract significantly increases urine output.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
4 - 15 g
powder, mother tincture, dry extract
Kidney Stone ✪✪✪✪✪
In animal research, the component of dandelion, taraxasterol, has antiurolithic effects. Taraxasterol likely improves hepatic and renal function by maintaining an antioxidant environment, which could help reduce crystal deposits in the urinary tract. It is possible that other constituents of dandelion, besides taraxasterol, play a role in the antiurolithic effects. In vitro, although taraxasterol also inhibited crystallization, the effects were not as significant as the dandelion extract itself.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
4 - 15 g
powder, mother tincture, dry extract
Rheumatism ✪✪✪✪✪
The root and leaf of dandelion are powerful purifiers. They act on the liver, gallbladder, and kidney and thus facilitate the elimination of toxins. These properties partly explain the positive action of dandelion on some skin disorders (eczema, psoriasis, acne), as well as on certain rheumatic disorders (gout, osteoarthritis).
Posologie
Oral: leaf, root
4 - 15 g
powder, mother tincture, dry extract
Detoxification ✪✪✪✪✪
Dandelion root has long been used to support liver function and treat various dermatological and systemic disorders, based on the theory that the plant enhances the liver's ability to detoxify. No clinical studies support these uses. Regarding hormonal detoxification, a study compared the effects of an herbal formula containing dandelion (specifically T officinalis), turmeric (Curcuma longa), artichoke (Cynara scolymus), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), schisandra (Schisandra chinensis), and milk thistle (Silybum marianum), with a placebo on hormonal levels in 40 premenopausal women. The study was conducted over 4 menstrual cycles. Compared to the other two treatments, the herbal formula resulted in a significant decrease in androgens during the early follicular phase, with no effect on the levels of any other sex steroid hormones. The implications of this study are difficult to determine, but it suggests that dandelion and other herbs might play a role in enhancing the detoxification of androgens.
Posologie
Oral route: root, leaf
4 - 15 g
powder, mother tincture, dry extract
Synergies
Liver disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Dandelion root has long been used as a liver tonic; however, scientific and clinical evidence supporting this use is limited. Preliminary studies suggest that dandelion root stimulates bile flow. Commission E approves the use of dandelion root and herb for bile flow disorders, loss of appetite, and dyspepsia. The European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) recommends dandelion root for "restoring liver and bile function, dyspepsia, and loss of appetite."
Posologie
Oral route: root
3 - 15 g
powder, mother tincture, dry extract
Biliary disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
Dandelion has long been used to stimulate bile secretion. Due to its cholagogue and choleretic effects, dandelion roots are considered active on the liver and gallbladder. The European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) recommends dandelion root for "restoring liver and bile function, dyspepsia, and loss of appetite."
Posologie
Oral route: root
4 - 15 g
powder, mother tincture, dry extract
Dermatoses ✪✪✪✪✪
The root and leaf of the dandelion are powerful depuratives. They act on the liver, gallbladder, and kidney, facilitating the elimination of toxins. These properties partly explain the positive action of dandelion on certain skin disorders (eczema, psoriasis, acne), as well as on some rheumatic disorders (gout, osteoarthritis).
Posologie
Oral route: root, leaf
4 - 15 g
powder, mother tincture, dry extract
Properties
Diuretic
The leaves of dandelion have a more significant diuretic effect than the roots, with an activity comparable to that of furosemide (a diuretic medication), without causing potassium loss due to the high potassium content of the leaves. A small clinical trial confirmed that oral intake of dandelion leaf extract significantly increases urine output. The dandelion root does not appear to have the same diuretic effect according to research using a root infusion in animal models, and no secondary metabolites showing a major diuretic activity were found. The sesquiterpene lactones present in dandelion are likely responsible for its diuretic effects.
Usages associés
Cholagogue
Dandelion may exert a direct effect on the gallbladder by causing it to contract. A decoction of fresh dandelion root (equivalent to 5 g of dried plant), administered intravenously to dogs, doubled the volume of bile secreted by the liver over a 30-minute period.
Usages associés
Choleretic
Dandelion is traditionally used to increase appetite and bile stimulation while reducing symptoms of dyspepsia, flatulence, and gallstones. As a choleretic, dandelion is believed to increase both bile production and flow to the gallbladder, and as a cholagogue, it can exert a direct effect on the gallbladder by causing contraction. A choleretic effect has also been observed in rats following intraduodenal administration of a dandelion extract; the volume of bile per hour increased by approximately one-third. An alcoholic extract of the whole plant administered intraduodenally to rats increased bile secretion by 40% over the next two hours.
Usages associés
Depurative
The leaf is used as a diuretic and depurative. See diuretic effect and liver action (hepatoprotective action).
Usages associés
Anticancer
Preliminary studies indicate that dandelion extracts possess antioxidant properties and may be toxic to cancer cells. Used in traditional medicine in China, Arabia, and North America for various diseases, including cancer, dandelion leaf extract has shown promising effects against breast cancer in vitro. The roots of Taraxacum japonicum (Japanese dandelion) have demonstrated particular preventive potential against cancer, inducing cancer cell death and inhibiting hepatocellular carcinoma cells through luteolin, an active flavonoid. Studies also suggest that dandelion root extract could be beneficial for patients with colorectal cancer.
Digestive Effect
Historically, bitter-tasting plants are considered stimulants for digestion and appetite by increasing digestive secretions, including pancreatic (vagus stimulation through bitterness). Two Chinese studies on animals with metaplasia, hyperplasia, and gastric ulcers showed significant histological improvement with preparations containing dandelion. Additionally, the dandelion root contains high concentrations of inulin. Oligofructans like inulin are used as food sources by beneficial intestinal bacteria. The dandelion root promotes the growth of bifidobacteria and can be useful as a "prebiotic".
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
Preliminary studies indicate that dandelion may have anti-inflammatory properties. Compounds such as luteolin and luteolin-7-O-glucoside present in dandelion can reduce the production of prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide by inhibiting COX-2 enzymes and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Furthermore, aqueous dandelion extracts appear to decrease levels of certain inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. It is also suggested that dandelion root extract could inhibit leukotriene activity, known for their role in inflammation.
Usages associés
Antiviral
Dandelion is traditionally used to treat viral infections. In laboratory research, dandelion extracts displayed anti-influenza properties and inhibited the replication and activity of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1).
Laxative
Dandelion has a mild laxative effect due to inulin and its richness in potassium. In a series of 24 adults suffering from chronic colitis, a preparation containing dandelion improved constipation, diarrhea, and intestinal discomfort in 96% of patients.
Usages associés
Hepatoprotective
Animal research has shown that dandelion may play a protective role for the liver. These studies reveal a decrease in the activity of certain liver enzymes (CYP1A2 and CYP2E) and a notable increase in a detoxification enzyme (UDP-glucuronosyltransferase) in the liver of rats treated with a dandelion infusion. Interestingly, dandelion does not affect other important liver enzymes (CYP2D and CYP3A). These results suggest potential beneficial effects of dandelion on liver health.
Usages associés
Antioxidant
Various parts of the dandelion, including flowers, roots, stems, and leaves, have demonstrated antioxidant properties in preclinical studies. The dandelion flower extract, in particular, is notable for its high antioxidant activity, attributed to its phenolic compound content. It has shown the ability to reduce reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide. Studies on animal models, including diabetic rats and acute lung injury models, have revealed that aqueous dandelion extract can prevent complications associated with free radicals. Additionally, dandelion root extract contributes to liver protection against alcohol-related diseases, while the leaf extract helps prevent paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. Taraxasterol, a component of dandelion, has demonstrated beneficial effects on liver and kidney function, potentially contributing to the prevention of urinary stone formation.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adult from 12 years: 3 g - 15 g (powder)
Leaf: - Infusion of dried herb: 4-10 g three times a day. - Fluid extract (25%): 4-10 ml three times a day. - Tincture (1:5): 5-10 ml twice a day. - Fresh juice: 10-20 ml three times a day. Root: - Decoction of dried root: 4-5 g three times a day. - Tincture (1:5): 5-10 ml three times a day. - Fluid extract (30%): 2-8 ml three times a day. - Fresh root juice: 4-8 ml three times a day.
Interactions
Médicaments
Diuretics: moderate interaction
Dandelion contains significant amounts of potassium. Dandelion leaf can theoretically potentiate the diuretic effect of pharmaceutical diuretics.
Quinolones: moderate interaction
The high mineral content of dandelion may lead to the formation of chelate complexes with quinolone antibiotics, reducing their absorption and bioavailability. This has been demonstrated in rats with Taraxacum mongolicum (Chinese dandelion). It is recommended to avoid the concomitant use of these substances.
Precautions
Pregnant woman: use with caution
Based on a long history of use in traditional medicine, dandelion is generally considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Dandelion root and leaf are used for various ailments, such as digestive and diuretic issues.
Breastfeeding woman: use with caution
Based on a long history of use in traditional medicine, dandelion is generally considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Dandelion root and leaf are used for various ailments, such as digestive and diuretic issues.
Contraindications
Biliary tract obstruction: prohibited
Contraindicated in case of biliary tract obstruction.
Child up to 12 years: prohibited
Use in children under 12 is not recommended.
