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Nov 4, 2022 · Some don't work well with prescription medicines. This is called a medicine interaction. Herbal supplements can interact with medicines used to treat heart and blood vessel problems, such as high blood pressure and heart failure. Some of these medicine interactions can be risky.
- Overview
- 1. Highly nutritious
- 2. Contains potent antioxidants
- 3. May help fight inflammation
- 4. May aid in blood sugar management
- 5. May reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- 6. May lower blood pressure
- 7. May promote liver health
- 8. May aid weight loss
- 9. May have anticancer effects
Dandelion leaves, roots, and flowers may offer health benefits. These can include promoting liver health and fighting inflammation.
Although often dismissed as a stubborn lawn weed, people have used dandelion in forms of traditional medicine for centuries.
Not only can the leaves, roots, and flowers add color to your plate, but they’re also often found in herbal teas and supplements, where they’re used as a natural remedy to support blood sugar management and boost skin, liver, and heart health.
Here are 13 potential health benefits of dandelion, along with common risks and side effects.
From root to flower, dandelions are highly nutritious plants loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Dandelion greens can be eaten cooked or raw and are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K. They also contain vitamin E, folate, and small amounts of other B vitamins. Dandelion greens provide several minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium (1).
Dandelion root is rich in the carbohydrate inulin, a type of soluble fiber found in plants that supports the growth and maintenance of healthy gut bacteria in your digestive tract (2).
Dandelion root is often dried and made into tea, but you can also eat it whole like other root vegetables.
Summary
The nutritional content of dandelion extends to all parts of the plant. Dandelion is a rich source of fiber and many vitamins and minerals.
Dandelion contains potent antioxidants, which may explain many of its medicinal properties.
Antioxidants are compounds that help neutralize free radicals — molecules that are a product of normal metabolism but contribute to chronic disease risk if levels get too high in your body. Therefore, antioxidants are crucial for your overall health (3).
Dandelions contain high levels of the antioxidant beta-carotene, which may protect against cell damage and oxidative stress (4).
They’re also rich in another type of antioxidants called polyphenols, which are found mainly in the flower but occur in the roots, leaves, and stems (5).
Summary
Dandelions are a rich source of beta carotene and polyphenol compounds, both of which may neutralize harmful free radicals and protect against chronic disease.
Dandelion may reduce inflammation thanks to compounds such as polyphenols.
Inflammation is a natural immune system response to injury or infection. However, long-term inflammation may permanently damage body tissues and DNA.
Some test-tube studies note significantly reduced markers of inflammation in cells treated with compounds extracted from dandelion (6, 7).
One study in rats determined that a tincture made from dandelion reduced oxidative stress and had cardioprotective effects (8).
Still, human research is needed.
Summary
Chicoric and chlorogenic acid are two bioactive compounds in dandelion that may help decrease blood sugar levels.
Test-tube and animal studies show that these compounds may improve the secretion of insulin — a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels — and the absorption of glucose (sugar) in your muscles.
This process improves insulin sensitivity and reduces blood sugar levels (9).
Chicoric and chlorogenic acid may also limit the digestion of starchy, high carb foods, which may further contribute to dandelion’s ability to lower blood sugar levels (5).
Although these results are encouraging, more research is needed in humans.
Summary
Some compounds in dandelion may decrease triglyceride and cholesterol levels, which are key risk factors for heart disease.
Some of the polyphenols in dandelion, such as flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, may have cholesterol and triglyceride-lowering properties (5).
Another review noted that dandelion may have cardioprotective effects, including lowering cholesterol levels (10).
However, current research is limited to test-tube and animal studies, and studies in humans are needed.
Summary
Some animal studies indicate that dandelion reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but research in humans is needed.
Although some claim that dandelion may reduce blood pressure, studies are limited.
In Western medicine, diuretic medications are used to rid the body of excess fluid, which may help decrease blood pressure levels (11).
One older human study found dandelion to be an effective diuretic. However, this study was brief and involved only 17 people (12).
Dandelion also contains potassium, a mineral associated with decreased blood pressure in those with previously elevated levels. Thus, this plant may indirectly affect blood pressure due to its potassium content (1, 10).
Notably, this effect isn’t unique to dandelion — it applies to any potassium-rich food eaten as part of a healthy diet.
Summary
Some animal studies suggest that dandelion extract may protect against liver damage and disease.
One animal study found that dandelion root extract helped prevent liver damage in rats with induced liver failure (13).
Other animal studies have shown that dandelion extract may reduce excess fat stored in the liver and safeguard against oxidative stress (5).
However, human research is needed.
Summary
Animal studies indicate that dandelion may protect against liver damage, but more research is needed in humans.
Some research indicates that dandelions and their compounds may support weight control, though the data isn’t conclusive.
Some researchers suggest that dandelion’s ability to improve carbohydrate metabolism and reduce fat absorption may lead to weight loss. However, this theory has yet to be scientifically proven (14).
One study in mice also suggests that dandelion extract may aid weight management by reducing fat absorption (15).
Another study in mice found that chlorogenic acid, a compound found in dandelion, reduced body weight, decreased fat accumulation, and altered levels of specific proteins involved in weight control (16).
Still, more high quality research with humans is necessary.
Summary
Perhaps one of the most intriguing health claims about dandelion extract is its potential to prevent the growth of cancerous cells in various organ systems.
A 4-week study in rats showed that administering dandelion root extract modified specific pathways involved in suppressing the growth and spread of breast cancer cells (17).
Other test-tube studies have found that dandelion root extract may slow the growth of cancer cells in liver, colon, prostate, and stomach tissue (18, 19, 20, 21).
These findings are encouraging, but human research is lacking.
Summary
Several test-tube studies have determined that dandelion extract may slow the growth of certain types of cancer. However, research is needed in humans.
Jul 21, 2021 · Provide antioxidants. Dandelions contain several different types of antioxidants throughout the roots, leaves and flowers, Geib says. Antioxidants protect your body against free radicals — rogue molecules that can damage your body’s cells and make you age faster. Reduce inflammation.
Jan 13, 2013 · Hormone therapy is taken to be the most effective treatment for menopausal syndrome, but various disadvantages and side effects have been reported, including increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer, endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma, stroke, and venous thromboembolism, especially for long-term therapy [17 – 25].
- Lian-Wei Xu, Man Jia, Roland Salchow, Michael Kentsch, Xue-Jun Cui, Hong-Yong Deng, Zhuo-Jun Sun, La...
- 10.1155/2012/568106
- 2012
- 2012
- Managing Type 2 Diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is often associated with lifestyle factors such as obesity, a high-fat diet, and a lack of exercise. The disease is characterized by abnormally high blood glucose (sugar) levels that can damage multiple organs due to high levels of chronic inflammation.
- Treating Obesity. Animal research suggests dandelion may offer benefits in treating obesity, one of the main contributing factors to diabetes. Although studies have suggested a dose of 150 to 300 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg) may reduce obesity in rats, the same has not been seen in humans.
- Reducing High Cholesterol. Research in mice given a dandelion (T. officinale) extract suggests that dandelion may offer benefits in lowering cholesterol and potentially improving liver function.
- Preventing Chronic Liver Disease. In traditional medicine, dandelion has been used to promote liver health and it remains a common use. An animal study in rats suggests that dandelion extract may prove to be a therapy for chronic liver and kidney diseases that often prove fatal.
Jun 22, 2023 · This article discusses menopause and its symptoms. It explains how Estroven products may help people during menopause and Estroven's possible side effects.
Side Effects. When taken by mouth: Dandelion is likely safe for most people when consumed in the amounts commonly found in food. It is possibly safe when taken in larger amounts. Dandelion...
