Dandelion

Dandelion

Supplement Forms/Alternate Names:

Taraxacum, lion’s tooth, blowball

Introduction

Dandelion is an herb that has been used to help with liver function and digestion. The leaves and root can be taken as a pill, powder, or extract. The leafy greens can also be made into a tea, soup, or eaten plain.

Dosages

There aren’t any advised doses for dandelion.

What Research Shows

May Be Effective

  • Weedkiller poisoning —may improve prognosis when used with standard treatmentB1

Not Enough Data to Assess

  • Sore throat A1

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Safety Notes

It is likely safe to take dandelion for a short time. Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to take for a long period.

Interactions

Talk to your doctor about any alternative therapy or supplements you are taking to make sure it does not interfere with your current treatment. For example:

  • People taking antibiotics should talk to their doctor before taking dandelion. It may interact with the medicine.
  • People taking medicine to prevent or treat blood clots should talk to their doctor before taking dandelion. It may increase the risk of bleeding.
  • People who are allergic to ragweed should not take dandelion. It may cause an allergic reaction.

References

A. Sore Throat

A1. Huang Y, Wu T, et al. Chinese medicinal herbs for sore throat. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Mar 14;(3):CD004877.

B. Weedkiller Poisoning

B1. Zhao Y, Jian XD, et al. [Clinical effect of compound monoammonium glycyrrhizinate combined with dandelion in treatment of acute paraquat poisoning]. Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi. 2016;34(7):535-537.

Last reviewed February 2020 by EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC

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This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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