Dandelion

Dandelion is an herb also known as Blowball, Cankerwort, Cochet, Couronne de Moine, Délice Printanier, Dent-de-Lion, Diente de Leon, Dudal, Endive Sauvage, Fausse Chicorée, Florin d'Or, Florion d'Or, Herba Taraxaci, Laitue de Chien, Leontodon taraxacum, Lion's Tooth, Pisse au Lit, Pissenlit, Priest's Crown, Pu Gong Ying, Salade de Taupe, Swine Snout, Taraxaci Herba, Taraxacum, Tête de Moine, Wild Endive and other names.

Dandelion has been used in alternative medicine to treat tonsillitis, bladder infections, upset stomach, constipation, arthritis pain, and other conditions. However, these uses have not been proven with research.

It is not certain whether dandelion is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Dandelion should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Dandelion is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Dandelion may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have:

• allergies to plants such as ragweed, daisies, chrysanthemums, or marigolds.

It is not known whether dandelion will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether dandelion passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.

Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra dandelion to make up the missed dose.

Other drugs may interact with dandelion, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Do not take dandelion without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:

• lithium;

• an antibiotic, such as Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox, Noroxin, and others;

• a blood thinner or medicine to treat or prevent blood clots;

• a diuretic or "water pill";

• heart or blood pressure medication; or

• a sedative such as Valium.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with dandelion, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this product guide.

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Avoid using dandelion together with other herbal/health supplements that can also affect blood-clotting. This includes angelica (dong quai), capsicum, clove, danshen, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, horse chestnut, panax ginseng, poplar, red clover, saw palmetto, turmeric, and willow.

Other drugs may interact with dandelion, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Do not take dandelion without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:

• lithium;
• an antibiotic, such as Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox, Noroxin, and others;
• a blood thinner or medicine to treat or prevent blood clots;
• a diuretic or "water pill";
• heart or blood pressure medication; or
• a sedative such as Valium.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with dandelion, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this product guide.

When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.

If you choose to use dandelion, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label.

Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with dandelion does not improve, or if it gets worse while using this product.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra dandelion to make up the missed dose.

Contraindications have not yet been identified.

Generally recognized as safe or used as food. Safety and efficacy for dosages above those in foods unproven and should be avoided.

Dandelion has been classified as a hepatic, mild laxative, cholegogue, diaphoretic, analgesic, stimulant, tonic and a regulator of blood glucose. 6 , 7 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 The roots have been used as a laxative, diuretic, tonic, hepatic and for spleen ailments. 7 , 12 , 14 Root and leaves have been used for heartburn, bruises, chronic rheumatism, gout, diabetes, eczema and other skin problems as well as for cancers. 12 , 13

Diuretic effects of dandelion extracts have been documented in mice. 6 One animal study indicated a greater diuretic effect achieved from herbal extracts than root extracts and compared the effects of a 50 mL/kg body weight dose (2 g dried herb/kg) to the effects achieved with 80 mg/kg of furosemide. 6 This study also reported the effects of dandelion to be greater than other plant diuretics, including Equisetum and Juniper berry. 6 , 11 This diuretic effect, likely a result of sesquiterpene lactone activity and high potassium content, 11 has been used to treat high blood pressure. 3 , 11 A later report observed no significant diuretic activity from the plant. 16 These same sesquiterpene lactones may contribute to dandelion's demonstrated mild anti-inflammatory activity. 6 , 12

Research reveals no clinical data regarding the use of dandelion for diuresis.

Dandelion is effective as a detoxifying herb, working primarily on the liver and gallbladder to remove waste. It may aid gallbladder ailments and help “dissolve” gallstones. 3 However, dandelion should only be used for gallstones under a physician's direction; it is generally contraindicated in bile duct obstruction, empyema or ileus. 6 , 11 , 12 , 13

Increases of bile secretion in rats (40% or more) have been attributed to activity of bitter sesquiterpene lactones in the root. 12 These lactones also increase gastric secretions that can cause gastric discomfort. 11 , 12

Research reveals no clinical data regarding the use of dandelion for liver and gall bladder disorders.

Hypoglycemic effects have been demonstrated in healthy, non-diabetic rabbits with a maximum decrease in blood glucose achieved at a dose of 2 g/kg. 6 The maximum effect of dandelion was reported to be 65% of the effect produced by tolbutamide 500 mg/kg. 6 Another report found no effect on glucose homeostasis in mice. 17 Inulin, reported to have antidiabetic activity, may contribute to dandelion's glucose regulating properties. 14 , 18

Research reveals no clinical data regarding the use of dandelion for regulation of blood glucose.

Use for dyspeptic disorders may be attributed to the anti-ulcer and gastric antisecretory activity of taraxerol, one of the terpenoid alcohols also found in the root. 4 Dandelion is also considered an appetite-stimulating bitter. 5 , 11 The bitter principles, previously known as taraxacin which have recently been identified as eudesmanolides, are contained in the leaves and appear to be unique to dandelion. 11 In vitro antitumor activity with a mechanism similar to that of lentinan (a tumor polysaccharide) has been reported. 6 , Taraxacum species have been used in China for over 1100 years in treating breast cancer and other breast ailments. 12 Clinical studies using Chinese Taraxacum species also support the use of dandelion to treat hepatitis as well as various respiratory infections. 12