Your blood naturally clots to prevent excess bleeding in the case of an injury. But when blood clots form inside your arteries or veins, you're at an increased risk of stroke or heart attack. Dandelion, the sunny yellow flower that many gardeners view as a weed, is valuable to herbalists for its potential medicinal effects, but it might not be safe to take herbal dandelion products if you're taking drugs for a blood clotting disorder. The Food and Drug Administration does not oversee the production of herbal remedies, so there is no guarantee of safety or quality. Do not self-treat any medical condition with herbal remedies, unless directed to do so by your doctor.
Blood Clots
Various factors affect the development of a blood clotting disorder, including a genetic predisposition to the disorder, pregnancy, a sedentary lifestyle, medical conditions and injury. Blood clots that form in the arteries and travel to the brain can cause a stroke, while clots that travel to the heart can cause a heart attack. If the clot develops and moves to the lungs, you could experience a pulmonary embolism. If your doctor thinks you're at an increased risk of developing blood clots, he may prescribe anti-clotting medications and dandelion may interfere with these drugs.
Dandelion Leaf
Dandelion leaves are traditional culinary greens, harvested and eaten in salads or boiled as a side dish. The herb is also available dried in tea form or in tablets and capsules. Dandelion leaves are generally recognized as safe, according to the FDA. When taken therapeutically, dandelion acts as a diuretic to increase urine output and may increase the production of bile, making it potentially useful in the treatment of digestive disorders. Dandelion leaves may increase the blood-thinning effect of warfarin, or other anti-clotting drugs, so consult your doctor before taking concentrated dandelion leaf products.
Dandelion Root
Dandelion root contains the same constituents as the plant's leaves, but in higher concentrations, including mucilages, flavonoids, triterpenes and inulin, which may interfere with anticoagulants, or blood thinning drugs. Dandelion root is available in dried cut form for making herbal tea, an infusion, which is a boiled tea, and as a concentrated liquid extract from health food stores. The herb is potentially beneficial in treating urinary disorders, loss of appetite and indigestion, but like dandelion leaf products, don't use it if you're currently taking blood-thinning drugs.
Additional Considerations
Dandelion extracts may worsen gallbladder conditions and should not be taken by diabetics or anyone using medication to control blood sugar. Do not use dandelion if you're taking diuretics. Dandelion products may contain traces of toxic metals, herbicides or other contaminants, since no regulatory standards exist. Blood clotting disorders are serious medical conditions, so talk to your doctor before using any herbal remedy.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Blood Clots; Causes
- "PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2nd Edition"; Joerg Gruenwald, Ph.D.; 2000
- Cox College: Dandelion
