Common Names: dandelion, lion’s tooth, blowball

Scientific Name: Taraxacum officinale

Background

• Originally from Europe, dandelions now grow widely across temperate climates in the Northern Hemisphere. The plant’s flowers, leaves, and roots have been used historically in traditional medicine across parts of Mexico and North America.

• These days, dandelion is available in oral forms for issues like digestion, while both oral and topical forms are marketed to help with joint discomfort.

How Much Do We Know?

• There's very limited scientific knowledge about how dandelion actually affects human health. Research into its benefits is still sparse.

What Have We Learned?

• Current findings do not offer strong proof that dandelion is beneficial for treating any specific health issue.

• Some early lab research has explored the potential of dandelion extracts in fighting inflammation, oxidative stress, and viruses.

What Do We Know About Safety?

• Dandelion, when consumed in typical food quantities, is generally considered safe. However, little is known about the safety of using it in higher concentrations.

• In some cases, applying dandelion to the skin may trigger allergic reactions in individuals with eczema (atopic dermatitis).

• Evidence is mixed on whether people who are allergic to plants like ragweed, marigolds, daisies, or chrysanthemums might also react to dandelion.

• There are concerns that dandelion might interact with some medications, such as blood thinners, diabetes medications, and diuretics. Always consult your healthcare provider before using dandelion or similar herbal products to avoid harmful interactions.

• Not much is known about the safety of consuming large amounts of dandelion during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Keep in Mind

• It’s important to stay informed and involve your health care professionals when using any complementary health methods. Making decisions together ensures safer and more effective outcomes.

• The regulation of herbal products depends on what they contain, how they are intended to be used, and the method of administration. Most herbal supplements for oral use are classified as dietary supplements, which are held to less scrutiny than pharmaceuticals.

• Dietary supplements, including herbal products, are not vetted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they hit the market. When safety concerns arise, the FDA can take steps to protect public health. Meanwhile, supplement producers are responsible for assessing their product’s safety and ensuring accurate labeling.

For More Information

• Using Supplements Responsibly

• Understanding How Medications and Supplements May Interact

• Tips on Reading Scientific Research Articles

NCCIH Clearinghouse

The NCCIH Clearinghouse offers resources on complementary and integrative health, including access to research articles and publications. It does not give medical advice or referrals.

Phone (U.S.): 1-888-644-6226

TRS: 7-1-1

PubMed®

PubMed® is provided by the National Library of Medicine and offers summaries of scientific and medical research articles. For help in navigating this database, NCCIH provides instructional resources.

Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), NIH

The ODS works to expand knowledge about dietary supplements. They offer educational publications and detailed fact sheets covering a wide range of nutrients and supplement products.

Key References

• Dandelion entry found on NatMed Pro (accessed July 11, 2023). Subscription required.

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This content is provided by NCCIH for informational purposes. It is not a replacement for medical advice or treatment by your healthcare provider. Any product or service mentioned is not officially endorsed by NCCIH.