Dandelions are the bane of lawn owners but are also powerful medicinal herbs, according to Medicinal Herb Info. This herb's leaves and roots are very useful in a number of ways, some which may surprise you. Before you begin to take dandelion medicinally, seek the advice of your health care provider.
Dandelion Uses
The U.S. National Library of Medicine, or USNLM, website reports that dandelion is useful in treating hepatitis B, diabetes, colitis, cancer. It acts as an antioxidant, a diuretic--increasing the production of urine--and anti-inflammatory. Dandelion is also used as a treatment for kidney and liver disorders, constipation, upset stomach, high blood pressure and helps improve gallbladder function, according to the website for the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. Neither of the sources recommends the use of dandelion to lower cholesterol levels.
Research
According to articles on PubMed.gov, dandelion has been mostly studied in animals. One article describes a study in diabetic rats in which dandelion showed potential for treating diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels. Another article explains how dandelion was used with mice to study its antioxidant effects. The study seemed to show that eating dandelion greens and other leafy greens seemed to protect the mice from the negative effects of a high-cholesterol diet. There's no research yet to confirm these findings in humans.
Possible Side Effects
The UMMC reports that when used in moderation, dandelion is considered to be safe. However, some people have allergic reactions to dandelions, either by touching the plant with the skin or ingesting it. Dandelions belong to the same plant family as ragweed, daisies, marigolds and others that commonly cause allergic reactions. People with known allergies to these plants should use dandelion with caution. The site also warns people with gallstones or gallbladder infections not to take dandelion. The USNLM site says some people may get upset stomach or diarrhea when taking dandelion.
Potential Interactions
Dandelion may harmfully interact with medications to lower cholesterol levels, according to the USNLM. It may keep the cholesterol-lowering medications from working properly. It may also interact with blood thinners, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories such as naproxen and ibuprofen, lithium, antibiotics, antacids, diabetes medications, medications for heart disease, gout treatments, hormone treatments, anti-cancer drugs and appetite suppressants. You should not use dandelion if you take these medications. If you have questions about how dandelion could interact with the other supplements and medications you take, ask your pharmacist or health care provider.
Forms Used
The fastest and freshest way to get dandelion greens is to pick them from your yard and clean them well. But dried leaves and roots can be found in capsules, tinctures, liquid extract, teas, tablets and combined with other herbs in supplement form, the UMMC site says. Some people also enjoy cooking dandelion leaves or making them into wine.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Dandelion
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Dandelion
- National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine: Dandelion
- Medicinal Herb Info: Dandelion
- PubMed.gov: Alternation of hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by supplementation of dandelion water extract.
