Although most commonly recognized as a lawn weed, dandelions also have potential medicinal uses and have been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years. Dandelion leaves and roots are used in herbal preparations, sometimes for different purposes. Little medical research has confirmed dandelion’s health effects, so you should consult with your doctor before taking any herbal remedy containing dandelion root.
History
Historically, dandelion roots have been used as a substitute for coffee, as well as for a variety of medicinal purposes. Traditional medicine has used dandelion roots and leaves for centuries to help in treating joint conditions, kidney problems and gallbladder disorders, as well as to treat cancer and eczema, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Native Americans and Chinese herbalists also used dandelion roots to treat gastrointestinal problems, breast disorders and other inflammation-related conditions, says the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Benefits
You might take dandelion root extract to treat constipation, indigestion and acid reflux, as well as for liver, gallbladder, pregnancy and postpartum support, says the University of Michigan Health System. Dandelion root may also help in detoxification and stimulate appetite. No current, widely accepted scientific evidence supports any of these medicinal uses, however. Talk with your physician before taking dandelion root extract to treat any medical condition.
Function
Dandelion roots and leaves contain bitter compounds that include sesquiterpene lactones, specifically germacranolide and eudesmanolide. These compounds act in the gastrointestinal tract as mild laxatives and to stimulate digestion by promoting bile production and flow in the gallbladder and liver. The roots’ constituents may also have properties that stimulate appetite, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Medical Evidence
Several preliminary studies found that dandelion root helps to stimulate bile flow. For example, A study conducted in the United Kingdom and published in 1996 found that dandelion root helped to increase bile production and flow, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Another preliminary study published in 1985 investigated the bitter properties of dandelion root, finding that they improved digestion and had laxative effects, says the University of Michigan Health System. Few other conclusive scientific studies have been performed on dandelion root’s effects and the supporting research is minimal.
Dosage
You might take 2 to 8 grams of dried dandelion root three times daily or 250 mg of root extract three or four times daily, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Or, you can take 500 mg up to three times per day of the standardized powdered dandelion root extract or 100 to 150 drops three times daily of the root extract tincture, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Health Risks
If you’re allergic to yarrow, chamomile or other related plants, you may also be allergic to dandelions. Also, dandelion root contains high levels of inulin, a common plant-based fiber that’s considered quite safe. Although rare, some people may be sensitive or allergic to inulin, posing the risk of an allergic reaction, says the University of Michigan Health System. If you have gallstones, obstruction in your bile ducts, stomach ulcers or gastritis, you should take dandelion root only under the close supervision of a healthcare professional. Taking dandelion root may aggravate these conditions, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dandelion root extract may increase the effects of diuretics or “water pills” and medications that lower blood sugar levels as well, notes the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
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