Dandelion

Common Name(s)

common dandelion, dandelion, lion’s tooth

Scientific Name(s)

taraxacum officinale

General Information

Dandelions are a perennial plant found in temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. They are a great source of vitamin A. They also contain vitamin C and B, and are a source of calcium, potassium, iron, and manganese.

How is this product usually used?

The leaves, flowers, and roots are used in traditional medicine.

The leaf, root, and whole plant are used in capsules, tablets, gummies, liquids and juices, powders, and strips.

Doses:

• Leaf: 1.2g to 30g dried leaf, per day. 10 mL to 20 mL of juice of fresh leaf per day. Do not to exceed 10 mL per single dose.
• Root: 1.5g to 24g dried root, per day. 12 mL to 24 mL of juice of fresh root per day. Do not to exceed 8 mL per single dose.
• Whole plant: 3g to 30g dried whole plant, per day. 15 mL to 30 mL of juice of fresh whole plant per day. Do not to exceed 10 mL per single dose.

Your health care provider may have recommended using this product in other ways. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What is this product used for?

Dandelion has been used for different conditions, including:

• upset stomach
• constipation
• stimulating appetite
• flushing of the urinary tract as an aide in minor urinary complaints
• diuretic
• increase bile flow

Your health care provider may have recommended this product for other conditions. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What else should I be aware of?

There is currently no reliable evidence available for the effectiveness of dandelion for the above uses.

When using dandelion as a diuretic it should be for occasional use only. When used for flushing of the urinary tract, indigestion, and loss of appetite, you should contact your healthcare provider if symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks.

Dandelion is generally well-tolerated. It may cause diarrhea, heartburn, and stomach discomfort. When applied to the skin, it may cause skin irritation.

There may be an interaction between dandelion and the following medications:

• blood-thinning medications (e.g., warfarin, clopidogrel, ASA)
• diabetes medications (e.g., metformin)
• lithium
• medications that are metabolized by the liver enzyme cytochrome P450 1A2 (e.g., amitriptyline, haloperidol, ondansetron, propranolol, theophylline, verapamil)
• potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g., spironolactone, amiloride, triamterene)
• quinolone antibiotics

Dandelion can slow blood clotting. When it is taken with other medications that affect your body's ability to clot blood, dandelion can increase the chance of bleeding and bruising. Stop taking dandelion at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Do not use dandelion without consulting your health care provider if you suffer from liver disease, gallbladder disease, or intestinal obstruction.

Do not use dandelion in doses of 10g per day or more of dried leaf or dried root if you:

• have heart disease
• have high blood pressure
• have low blood pressure
• have kidney disease
• have liver disease
• have diabetes
• have edema (swelling of the feet, face, and hands)
• are currently using a diuretic medication

You should avoid dandelion if you are allergic to it or to any plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family, such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies. People living with eczema are more likely to be sensitive to dandelion.

Before taking any new medications, including natural health products, speak to your physician, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Tell your health care provider about any natural health products you may be taking.

Source(s)

1. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database - Dandelion.
2. Health Canada. Licensed Natural Health Products database. Dandelion. http://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq.do?atid=dandelion.pissenlit
3. Health Canada. Licensed Natural Health Products database. Dandelion Juice. https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq.do?atid=dandelion.ju.pissenlit&lang=eng
4. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Herbs at a Glance. Dandelion. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/dandelion/