Dandelion are a family of flowering plants that grow in many parts of the world.
They’re also known as Taraxacum spp., though Taraxacum officinale is the most common species.
You may be most familiar with dandelion as a stubborn weed that never seems to leave your lawn or garden.
However, in traditional herbal medicine practices, dandelion are revered for their wide array of medicinal properties.
For centuries, they’ve been used to treat a myriad of physical ailments, including cancer, acne, liver disease and digestive disorders.
Here are 13 potential health benefits of dandelion, and what science has to say about them.
1. Highly Nutritious
In terms of nutritional content, the dandelion patch in your backyard can join the rankings with the rest of your vegetable garden.
From root to flower, dandelion are highly nutritious plants, loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Dandelion greens can be eaten cooked or raw and serve as an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K. They also contain vitamin E, folate and small amounts of other B vitamins .
What’s more, dandelion greens provide a substantial amount of several minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium .
The root of the dandelion is rich in the carbohydrate inulin, which is a type of soluble found in plants that supports the growth and maintenance of a healthy bacterial flora in your intestinal tract (2Trusted Source).
Dandelion root is often dried and consumed as a tea but can also be eaten in its whole form.
SUMMARY
The nutritional content of dandelion extends to all parts of the plant. It’s a rich source of many vitamins, minerals and fiber.
2. Contain Potent Antioxidants
Dandelion are full of potent antioxidants, which may explain why this plant has such broad applications for health.
Antioxidants are molecules that help neutralize or prevent the negative effects of free radicals in your body.
Free radicals are a product of normal metabolism but can be very destructive. The presence of too many free radicals contributes to disease development and accelerated aging. Therefore, antioxidants are essential for keeping your body healthy.
Dandelion contain high levels of the antioxidant beta-carotene, which is known to provide strong protection against cellular damage and oxidative stress (3Trusted Source).
They’re also rich in another category of antioxidants called polyphenols, which are found in the highest concentration in the flower but are present in the roots, leaves and stems as well (4Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
Dandelion are a rich source of beta-carotene and polyphenolic compounds, both of which are known to have strong antioxidant capabilities that can prevent aging and certain diseases.
3. May Help Fight Inflammation
Dandelion may be effective in reducing inflammation caused by disease due to the presence of various bioactive compounds like polyphenols within the plant.
Inflammation is one of your body’s natural responses to injury or illness. Over time, excessive inflammation can lead to permanent damage to your body’s tissues and DNA.
Some test-tube studies have revealed significantly reduced inflammation markers in cells treated with dandelion compounds (5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source).
A study in mice with artificially induced inflammatory lung disease showed a significant reduction of lung inflammation in those animals that received dandelion (7Trusted Source).
Ultimately, more research is needed to clearly define dandelion’s role in reducing inflammation in humans.
SUMMARY
Small animal and test-tube studies suggest that dandelion have a significant anti-inflammatory capacity, though more research is needed to better understand how dandelion affect inflammation in humans.
4. May Aid Blood Sugar Control
Chicoric and chlorogenic acid are two bioactive compounds in dandelion. They’re found in all parts of the plant and may help reduce blood sugar.
Test-tube and animal studies show that these compounds can improve insulin secretion from the pancreas while simultaneously improving the absorption of glucose (sugar) in muscle tissue.
This process leads to improved insulin sensitivity and reduced blood sugar levels (8Trusted Source).
In some animal studies, chicoric and chlorogenic acid limited the digestion of starchy carbohydrate foods, which may also contribute to dandelion’s potential ability to reduce blood sugar (4Trusted Source).
While these early study results are encouraging, more research is needed to determine if dandelion work the same way in humans.
SUMMARY
The dandelion plant contains bioactive compounds that have been shown to reduce blood sugar in animal and test-tube studies. More research is needed to determine if the same effect would be seen in humans.
5. May Reduce Cholesterol
Some of the bioactive compounds in dandelion may lower cholesterol, which may decrease heart disease risk.
One animal study resulted in dramatically reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels in mice that were treated with dandelion extract (9Trusted Source).
A rabbit study evaluated the impact of adding dandelion roots and leaves to a high-cholesterol diet. Rabbits that received dandelion had noticeably reduced cholesterol levels (10Trusted Source).
Though these outcomes are intriguing, more research is needed to determine dandelion’s potential effects on cholesterol in humans.
SUMMARY
Some animal studies have shown reduced cholesterol levels after consuming dandelion. More research is needed to understand how this plant affects levels in humans.
6. May Lower Blood Pressure
Some people claim that dandelion may reduce blood pressure, but supporting evidence is limited.
Traditional herbal medicine practices use dandelion for their diuretic effect based on the belief that this can detoxify certain organs.
In Western medicine, diuretic medications are used to rid the body of excess fluid, which can lead to lowered blood pressure.
One human study found dandelion to be an effective diuretic. However, this study was done over a short period and involved only 17 people (11Trusted Source).
Dandelion contain potassium, a mineral associated with lowered blood pressure in those with previously elevated levels. Thus, dandelion may have an indirect effect on blood pressure due to their potassium content (12Trusted Source).
It’s important to keep in mind that this effect is not unique to dandelion but applies to any potassium-rich food consumed as part of a healthy diet.
SUMMARY
Dandelion may lower blood pressure due to their diuretic effect and potassium content. However, very little formal research has been conducted to support this claim.
7. May Promote a Healthy Liver
Animal studies have found that dandelion have a protective effect on liver tissue in the presence of toxic substances and stress.
One study revealed significant protection of liver tissue in mice exposed to toxic levels of acetaminophen (Tylenol). Researchers attributed this finding to dandelion’s antioxidant content (13Trusted Source).
Other animal studies have shown that dandelion extract may reduce levels of excess fat stored in the liver and protect against oxidative stress in liver tissue (4Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source).
However, the same results should not be expected in humans due to differences in human and animal metabolism.
Further research is needed to determine how dandelion impact liver health in humans.
SUMMARY
Animal studies have shown that dandelion protect liver tissue from toxic substances and oxidative stress, but more research is needed to determine their effect on liver health in humans.
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8. May Aid Weight Loss
Some research indicates that dandelion and their bioactive components may support weight loss and maintenance, though the data is not entirely conclusive.
Some researchers theorize that dandelion’s ability to improve carbohydrate metabolism and reduce fat absorption may lead to weight loss. However, this notion has yet to be scientifically proven (14Trusted Source).
One study in mice showed weight loss associated with dandelion supplementation, though it should be noted that this was an accidental finding and not the main focus of the study (9Trusted Source).
Another study in obese mice revealed that chlorogenic acid, a compound found in dandelion, was able to reduce body weight and levels of some fat-storage hormones (15Trusted Source).
Yet again, this research did not specifically evaluate dandelion’s role in weight loss and obesity prevention.
More focused, human-based research is needed to determine a clear cause-and-effect relationship between dandelion and weight management.
SUMMARY
Some animal studies have shown that bioactive components in dandelion may support weight loss, but no human studies have evaluated this effect.
9. May Fight Cancer
Perhaps one of the most intriguing health claims of dandelion is their potential to prevent the growth of cancerous cells in many different organ systems.
One test-tube study revealed significantly reduced growth of cancerous cells that were treated with dandelion leaf extract. However, extracts from dandelion flower or root did not lead to the same result (16Trusted Source).
Other test-tube studies have shown that dandelion root extract has the capacity to dramatically slow the growth of cancer cells in liver, colon and pancreatic tissue (17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source).
These findings are encouraging, but more research is fundamental to fully understand how dandelion may be useful in treating or preventing cancer in humans.
SUMMARY
Several test-tube studies have found that dandelion is effective in reducing the growth of cancer cells in various organ tissues. More research is needed to draw conclusions about its efficacy for preventing or treating cancer in humans.
10. May Support Healthy Digestion and Treat Constipation
Traditional herbal medicine utilizes dandelion to treat constipation and other symptoms of impaired digestion. Some early research seems to support these claims.
One animal study revealed a significant increase in the rates of stomach contractions and emptying of stomach contents into the small intestine in rats who were treated with dandelion extract (20Trusted Source).
Additionally, dandelion root is a rich source of the prebiotic fiber inulin. Research indicates that inulin has a strong capacity to reduce constipation and increase intestinal movement (21Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
Research indicates that dandelion may increase contractions and movement of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, acting as a treatment for constipation and indigestion. This effect is likely due to the prebiotic fiber inulin.
11. May Boost Your Immune System
Some research indicates that dandelion may have antimicrobial and antiviral properties, which could support your body’s ability to fight infection.
Several test-tube studies found that dandelion extract significantly reduced the ability of viruses to replicate (22Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source).
Research also indicates that some of the active compounds in dandelion protect against various harmful bacteria (4Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source, 26Trusted Source).
Ultimately, more research is needed to draw definitive conclusions about dandelion’s ability to fight viral and bacterial infection in humans.
SUMMARY
Early research indicates that dandelion have antiviral and antimicrobial properties, though clear applications for medicinal use have yet to be determined.
12. May Be a Useful Skincare Treatment
Animal and test-tube research indicate that dandelion may protect against skin damage from sunlight, aging and acne.
In one study, dandelion leaf and flower extracts protected against skin damage when applied just prior to or immediately after exposure to UVB radiation (sunlight). Interestingly, dandelion root was not effective in the same way (27Trusted Source).
One of the characteristics of aging skin is a decrease in the production of healthy, new skin cells.
One test-tube study showed that dandelion root extract increased the generation of new skin cells, which could slow the aging process (28Trusted Source).
Additional research indicates that dandelion extract may reduce skin inflammation and irritation while also increasing hydration and collagen production. This may be useful in preventing and treating certain types of acne (29Trusted Source).
Reliable human research is still needed to better understand how dandelion may support skin health.
SUMMARY
Animal and test-tube studies indicate that dandelion may protect against harmful sun rays, aging and skin irritations, such as acne. Currently, reliable human studies are unavailable.
13. May Support Healthy Bones
Very little research has been conducted on dandelion’s effect on bone health, though some of its individual nutritional components contribute to the maintenance of strong, healthy bones.
Dandelion greens are a good source of calcium and vitamin K — both of which are associated with the prevention of bone loss (30Trusted Source, 31Trusted Source).
Inulin, a fiber found in dandelion root, may also support healthy bones through improved digestion and the promotion of healthy gut bacteria (32Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
Research directly relating dandelion to bone health is lacking, though some nutritional components of the plant are known to support the maintenance of strong bones.
Dosage and Supplement Forms
Dandelion leaves, stems and flowers are often consumed in their natural state and can be eaten cooked or raw. The root is usually dried, ground and consumed as a tea or coffee substitute.
Dandelion is also available in supplemental forms, such as capsules, extracts and tinctures.
Currently, there are no clear dosage guidelines, as very little human research has been conducted on dandelion as a supplement.
According to some available data, suggested dosages for different forms of dandelion are (4Trusted Source):
- Fresh leaves: 4–10 grams, daily.
- Dried leaves: 4–10 grams, daily.
- Leaf tincture: 0.4–1 teaspoon (2–5 ml), three times a day.
- Fresh leaf juice: 1 teaspoon (5 ml), twice daily.
- Fluid extract: 1–2 teaspoon (5–10 ml), daily.
- Fresh roots: 2–8 grams, daily.
- Dried powder: 250–1,000 mg, four times a day.
SUMMARY
There are currently no clear dosage guidelines for dandelion supplements, as research is limited. Different forms of dandelion require different suggested doses.
Possible Risks and Side Effects
Dandelion have low toxicity and are likely safe for most people, especially when consumed as a food in its whole form .
However, keep in mind that research is still very limited and its use is not 100% risk-free.
Dandelion can cause allergic reactions, particularly in people with allergies to related plants like ragweed. Contact dermatitis can also occur in people with sensitive skin (4Trusted Source, 33Trusted Source).
Dandelion may interact unfavorably with some medications, especially certain diuretics and antibiotics (33Trusted Source).
If you’re taking any prescription medications, always consult your healthcare provider prior to taking dandelion.
SUMMARY
Dandelion have low toxicity and are likely safe for most people. They can cause allergic reactions in some and may interact negatively with certain medications, particularly diuretics and antibiotics.
The Bottom Line
Dandelion are not a replacement for a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, especially with regard to disease prevention and treatment.
Yet, they could be a unique and nutritious addition to your wellness routine.
Dandelion have the potential to provide some therapeutic health benefits — but don’t count on it. Research on specific applications for dandelion is lacking, especially in human studies.
Dandelion are unlikely to cause harm, as long as you’re not allergic or taking certain medications.
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before adding a new herbal supplement to your diet.
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