What Are the Benefits of Dandelion Root?

Dandelion root has been used for centuries in traditional medicine as a treatment for intestinal and liver problems. It is loaded with anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamins A and C, as well as many necessary minerals. Dandelion root is still used today, and as studies continue, more benefits of the root are being found.

Anti-cancer Benefits

A study in the May 2008 "International Journal of Oncology" reports that an extract from dandelion root blocked the invasion of breast cancer cells. Another study, evaluating the effects of dandelion root on skin tumors in mice, found that the root showed anti-tumor activity. This study was conducted by Japanese researchers at Kyoto Pharmaceutical University in Japan, and reported in a 1999 edition of "Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin." While these studies are promising, the National Institutes of Health states that more testing needs to be done with humans before recommending dandelion root as an anti-cancer agent.

Gastrointestinal Benefits

The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) notes that dandelion root serves as a digestive aid, as it acts as a mild laxative, promotes digestion and can improve the function of the gastrointestinal tract's natural bacteria. It is also widely used to stimulate the appetite.

Liver Benefits

Dandelion root is reported by the NIH to be beneficial to liver health. The agency states that people with hepatitis B showed much improvement in their liver function after taking an herbal mixture that included dandelion root. The one drawback to the study, they claim, is that dandelion root was included with other herbs, so the particular effect of dandelion root on the liver is not completely known. UMMC also claims that dandelion root is beneficial to liver health.