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Common dandelion. Scientific name: Taraxacum officinale. The common dandelion is a most familiar flower: counting down the 'clock', while blowing the fluffy seeds from its head, is a favourite childhood game. Dandelions are an important early source of food for pollinators - so let them grow!
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- 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.
May 26, 2021 · Six more facts about dandelions. Herbal remedies made from dandelions have been discovered on clay tablets in ancient Egypt and Greece. On undisturbed sites, dandelion plants can survive 10–13 years. They are thought to be getting taller, toothier and stronger due to increased rainfall and nitrates from traffic.
Seedheads are globe-like (‘dandelion clocks’), composed of many silvery seed-bearing structures that disperse in the wind. Evergreen rosette of leaves, growing from a main taproot. The rosette is typically 15-30cm (6-12in) wide and is often flat, especially in lawns, but leaves can grow upwards if allowed. Leaves are long, narrow and often ...
Jul 21, 2021 · Nutritional benefits of dandelions. Dandelions pack a whole lot of vitamins and minerals into a small plant. “They’re probably the most nutritionally dense green you can eat — outstripping ...
Dec 25, 2022 · 4 dandelion benefits for health. They contain vitamins, minerals and fibre: Every single part of dandelions happen to offer something to us, from the root to the leaves and the flower. The green parts, the leaves and the stemcontain Vitamins A, C, E and K, as well as folate and small quantities of B vitamins. But that’s not all on the ...
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Learn how to identify dandelions and understand their ecological importance.
