Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Description Taraxacum officinale (dandelion), a member of the Asteraceae family, grows to a height of about 12 inches, producing spatula-like lea es and yellow flowers that bloom year-round! "pon maturation, the flower turns into the characteristic seed-containing puffball! #andelion is grown commercially in the "nited $tates and %urope, and the lea es and root are used in herbal medicine! &ommercial grade dandelion is typically har ested during the autumn when the inulin content is highest! #andelion is commonly used as a food! The lea es are used in salads and teas, while the roots are sometimes used as a coffee substitute! #andelion lea es and roots ha e been used for hundreds of years to treat li er, gallbladder, kidney, and 'oint problems! #andelion is traditionally considered an alterati e and is used for conditions as aried as ec(ema and cancer! )n *orth America, the )ro+uois people prepared infusions and decoctions of the root and whole herb to treat kidney disease, dropsy, and dermatological conditions! As is the case today, dandelion lea es ha e also been used historically as a diuretic Active Constituents: Chemical 11,13-Dih drotaraxin-Acid-!eta-D-"lucop ranos l-#ster 11,13-Dih drotaraxinacet l-1$-%-"lucosides 1&-Taraxeren-3'eta-%l (-Car'ox ara'initol ()-*orc cloartanol 3,&-Dih drox cinnamic-Acid 3,+-!eta-D-Di,lucoside--sorhamnetin 31-*orc cloartenol 31-*ordeh drolanasterol &-Alpha-11-!eta-13,1.-Tetrah droridentin-! &-Alpha-1.,11-!eta-13-Tetrah droridentin-! Aesculetin Alpha-Am lase Alpha-/actucerol Alpha-Tocopherol Aluminum Aluminum Androsterol Aneurine Antheraxanthin-#ster Api,enin-+-"lucoside Part ,oot -lant -lant .eaf -ollen /r $pore ,oot 0lower -lant -ollen /r $pore ,oot ,oot 0lower -lant .atex %xudate .eaf ,oot ,oot -lant -lant 0lower .eaf

Aps-0ulfotransferase Ara'inose Arnidiol Arsenic Ascor'ic-Acid Ascor'ic-Acid Ascor'ic-Acid Ash Ash Ash Aspara,inic-Acid !arium !eta-Am rin !eta-Am rin !eta-Carotene !eta-Carotene !eta-Carotene !eta-Carotene !eta-D-1ructop ranosides !eta-1ructofuranosidases !eta-1ructop ranosidases !eta-/actucerol !eta-0itosterol !eta-0itosterol !eta-0itosterol !eta-0itosterol-3-%-!eta-D-"lucop ranoside !eta-0itosterol-!eta-D-"lucop ranoside !eta-0itosterol-"lucosides !oron !romine Cadmium Cadmium Caffeic-Acid Caffeic-Acid Calcium Calcium Calcium Calcium Campesterol Caoutchouc

.eaf -lant 0lower .eaf .eaf ,oot ,oot .eaf ,oot ,oot .eaf .eaf 0lower ,oot 0lower ,oot ,oot .eaf ,oot ,oot ,oot .atex %xudate 0lower ,oot -lant ,oot ,oot -lant .eaf .eaf .eaf ,oot 0lower -lant .eaf ,oot ,oot -lant .eaf -lant

Capric-Acid Car'oh drates Car'oh drates Car'oh drates Carotene Cerotic-Acid Cer l-Alcohol Cer l-Alcohol Chlorine Chloro,enic-Acid Choline Chromium Chromium Chromium Chr santhemaxanthin Chr santhemumxanthin Cis-/utein-.,2-#poxide Cis-Taraxanthin Clu tianol Co'alt Co'alt Copper Copper Coumestrol Cr ptoxanthin Cr ptoxanthin-#poxide Cr ptoxanthin-#poxide-#ster Cr ptoxanthin-#ster C cloartanol C cloartenol C cloartenol C naroside D-"lucuronic-Acid Daucosterol Dodecadienoic-Acid #o #udesmanolides 1aradiol 1at 1at

-ollen /r $pore .eaf ,oot ,oot -lant ,oot .atex %xudate ,oot .eaf -lant ,oot .eaf ,oot ,oot -lant 0lower -lant 0lower ,oot ,oot ,oot .eaf ,oot -lant 0lower 0lower 0lower 0lower -ollen /r $pore .eaf -ollen /r $pore 0lower -lant ,oot -ollen /r $pore ,oot -lant 0lower .eaf ,oot

1at 1erulic-Acid 1i'er 1i'er 1i'er(Crude) 1lavoxanthin 1lavoxanthin 1ructose "ermacranolide "lucose "lutamic-Acid "l cerol 3eneicosan-1-%ic-Acid 3eptadecadienoic-Acid 3eptadecenoic-Acid 3exadecadienoic-Acid 3exadecenoic-Acid 3omoandrosterol 3omotaraxasterol -nositol -nositol -nulin -nulin -nulin -odine -ron -ron -ron -so4uercitrin -sorhamnetin 5asmonic-Acid 5asmonic-Acid 6ilocalories 6ilocalories /--nositol /actucerol /auric-Acid /ead /ead /ecithin

,oot 0lower .eaf ,oot ,oot 0lower -lant ,oot -lant ,oot .eaf .atex %xudate -ollen /r $pore -ollen /r $pore -ollen /r $pore -ollen /r $pore -ollen /r $pore ,oot ,oot .atex %xudate ,oot -lant ,oot ,oot .eaf .eaf ,oot ,oot 0lower 0lower 1ud 0lower .eaf ,oot $hoot -lant -ollen /r $pore .eaf ,oot 0lower

/ecithin /evulin /evulose /inoleic-Acid /inoleic-Acid /inolenic-Acid /inolenic-Acid /utein /utein-#poxide /utein-#poxide /utein-#poxide-#ster /utein-#ster /uteolin /uteolin-3$-%-!eta-D-"lucoside /uteolin-&$-%-!eta-D-"lucoside /uteolin-+-"lucoside /uteolin-+-%-"entio'ioside /uteolin-+-%-7hamno,lucoside 8a,nesium 8a,nesium 8a,nesium 8an,anese 8an,anese 8an,anese 8annitol 8ar,aric-Acid 8elissic-Acid 8ol 'denum 8ucila,e 8 ristic-Acid 8 ristoleic-Acid *eoxanthin-#ster *iacin *iacin *iacin *ic9el *ic9el *icotinic-Acid *onadecanoic-Acid %leic-Acid

,oot ,oot -lant -ollen /r $pore ,oot -ollen /r $pore ,oot 0lower 0lower -lant 0lower 0lower 0lower 0lower 0lower .eaf 0lower 0lower .eaf ,oot ,oot .eaf ,oot ,oot ,oot -ollen /r $pore ,oot -lant ,oot -ollen /r $pore -ollen /r $pore 0lower .eaf ,oot ,oot .eaf ,oot ,oot -ollen /r $pore -ollen /r $pore

%leic-Acid %xalic-Acid P-Coumaric-Acid P-Coumaric-Acid P-3 drox phen lacetic-Acid P-3 drox phen lacetic-Acid Palmitic-Acid Palmitic-Acid Pectin Pectins Pentadecanoic-Acid Phlo'aphene Phosphorus Phosphorus Phosphorus Ph tosterols Pollinastanol Potassium Potassium Potassium Protein Protein Protein Protocatechuic-Acid Pseudotaraxasterol Pseudotaraxasterol Pseudotaraxasterol-Acetate Psi-Taraxasterol Psi-Taraxasterol-Acetate Psi-Taraxerol :uercetin :uercimeritrin 7esin 7i'oflavin 7i'oflavin 7i'oflavin 7u''er 7u'idium 0accharose 0aponin

,oot .eaf 0lower -lant ,oot $hoot -ollen /r $pore ,oot ,oot ,oot -ollen /r $pore ,oot .eaf ,oot ,oot -lant -ollen /r $pore .eaf ,oot ,oot .eaf ,oot ,oot 0lower -lant ,oot ,oot ,oot ,oot ,oot 0lower 0lower ,oot .eaf ,oot ,oot ,oot -lant ,oot -lant

0copoletin 0elenium 0elenium 0ilicon 0ilicon 0itosterol 0odium 0odium 0odium 0tearic-Acid 0ti,masterol 0ti,masterol 0trontium 0ucrose 0u,ars 0ulfur Tannin Taraxacerine Taraxacin Taraxacine Taraxacolide-1$-%-!eta-D-"lucop ranoside Taraxacolide-1$-%-!eta-D-"lucoside Taraxacolide-1$-%-"lucosides Taraxacoside Taraxacoside Taraxacum-%fficinale-"l coside-Ta-1 Taraxacum-%fficinale-"l coside-Ta-( Taraxacum-%fficinale-"l coside-Ta-3 Taraxanthin Taraxasterol Taraxasterol Taraxerol Taraxien Taraxin Taraxin-Acid Taraxin-Acid-!eta-D-"lucop ranos l-#ster Taraxinacet l-1$-%-"lucosides Taraxinic-Acid-1$-%-!eta-D-"lucop ranoside Taraxinic-Acid-1$-%-!eta-D-"lucop ranoside Taraxinic-Acid-1$-%-!eta-D-"lucop ranoside

0lower ,oot ,oot ,oot ,oot .eaf .eaf ,oot ,oot -ollen /r $pore .eaf ,oot -lant ,oot ,oot -lant ,oot ,oot ,oot ,oot ,oot ,oot -lant -lant ,oot 0lower 0lower 0lower -lant 0lower ,oot ,oot 0lower -lant -lant -lant -lant 0lower ,oot .eaf

Taraxinoic-Acid-1$-%-!eta-D-"lucoside Taraxinoic-Acid-1$-%-!eta-D-"lucoside Taraxol Tartaric-Acid Tartaric-Acid Thiamin Thiamin Thiamine Tin Tin Titanium Trans-/utein-.,2-#poxide Trans-Taraxanthin T rosinase ;anillic-Acid ;iolaxanthin ;iolaxanthin-#ster ;iolaxanthin-/ineoleate-/inolenate ;it-D <ater <ater <ater =anthoph ll = lose >eaxanthin-#ster >inc >inc >inc

,oot $hoot ,oot -lant ,oot .eaf ,oot ,oot ,oot ,oot -lant -lant 0lower ,oot 0lower 0lower 0lower -ollen /r $pore -lant .eaf ,oot ,oot -lant -lant 0lower .eaf ,oot ,oot

8echanisms of Action Digestive Effects 1itter herbs such as dandelion ha e been used traditionally to stimulate digestion2 howe er, no pharmacological or clinical studies ha e been performed to date on this action! Hepatobiliary Effects /ral administration of dandelion root extracts has been shown to increase bile release from the gallbladder (cholagogue effect)! The bitter principals responsible for this cholagogue effect are also thought to increase bile production in the li er (choleretic effect)! A recent rat study found Taraxacum inhibits acti ity of hepatic phase ) detoxification en(ymes &3-1A2 (by 145) and &3-2% (by 675)! &on ersely, Taraxacum increased the acti ity of the phase )) en(yme "#--glucuronosyl transferase! Diuretic Activity

)n experimental research on mice, high amounts of an a+ueous extract of dandelion leaf (2 g per 1 kg body weight) has been hown to ha e diuretic acti ity comparable to furosemide! $ince dandelion is also a rich source of potassium, some think it is capable of replacing potassium lost through diuresis! Hypoglycemic Effects An animal study suggests dandelion might possess hypoglycemic acti ity! This finding is probably in part a result of the high inulin content of the plant! #andelion8s effects on glucose metabolism ha e not been studied in humans to date! Other Actions % idence suggests dandelion may influence nitric oxide production! *itric oxide is important for immune regulation and defense2 howe er, this molecule can be inhibited by cadmium! An a+ueous extract of dandelion has been shown to o ercome this inhibitory effect of cadmium and work in a dose-dependent manner to restore nitric oxide production by mouse peritoneal macrophages! Antitumor acti ity of the a+ueous extract of dandelion root in mice has also been reported in the scientific literature! Clinical -ndications &lassically listed as a cholagogue, dandelion root is appro ed by the 9erman &ommission % for the treatment of disturbances in bile flow, stimulation of diuresis, loss of appetite, and dyspepsia! Although there are no published clinical trials on either dandelion root or leaf alone, it has a long history of use by natural health-care practitioners! Liver/Gallbladder Stasis 1ecause of dandelion root8s cholagogue: and choleretic effects, it has been traditionally recommended for people with sluggish li er function due to alcohol abuse or poor diet! The increase in bile flow may help impro e fat (including cholesterol) metabolism in the body2 howe er, there are no clinical studies to support these uses! -atients with increased phase ) metabolism coupled with impaired phase )) acti ity may especially benefit from Taraxacum supplementation! Edema #andelion leaf is a diuretic and thus may be considered in cases of edema from such conditions as congesti e heart failure or premenstrual syndrome! As a diuretic it may also benefit those with hypertension! Although it is suggested dandelion spares potassium, attention to electrolyte balance may be warranted! Colitis A small 1ulgarian clinical trial found dandelion root in combination with other herbs might be an effecti e inter ention in chronic colitis! Twenty-four patients with chronic nonspecific colitis were treated with an herbal combination consisting of dandelion root, $t! ;ohn8s wort (<ypericum perforatum), lemon balm (=elissa officinalis), calendula flower (&alendula officinalis), and fennel seed (0oeniculum ulgare)! $pontaneous and palpable pains along the large intestine disappeared in >: percent of the patients by the 14th day of treatment! 0ide #ffects and Toxicit 1ecause of its choleretic and cholegogue acti ity, dandelion leaf and root should not be used by people with gallstones or bile duct obstruction unless closely super ised by a healthcare practitioner! )n cases of gastric ulcer or gastritis, dandelion should be used cautiously, as it may cause o er-production

of stomach acid! Although Taraxacum is high in potassium, it may not be high enough to offset possible potassium loss by long-term use of the lea es as a diuretic! &onstituents of dandelion may cause allergic reactions! The latex of fresh dandelion stems may cause an allergic rash in some people! #andelion root contains a high amount of inulin, so persons with sensiti ity to inulin should probably a oid dandelion! Although reports in the scientific literature refer only to the pollen as being a potential source of photoallergic contact dermatitis, and an allergen capable of cross-reacti ity in indi iduals with pollen allergy to other plants of the &ompositae family,17 a report documenting an anaphylactic reaction in an atopic patient following the oral ingestion of an herbal combination containing dandelion indicates a possible need for caution! )n this case, the herbal compound was found to ha e trace amounts of pollen from dandelion and se eral other medicinal plants, which resulted in this systemic reaction! Dosa,e As a general li er?gallbladder tonic and to stimulate digestion, @-4 g of dried root or 4-1A ml of tincture made from the root can be taken three times per day!11 As a mild diuretic or appetite stimulant, 6-1A g of dried lea es can be added to 1 cup (24A ml) of boiling water and drunk as a decoction! Alternati ely, 2-4 ml of tincture made from the lea es can be taken three times per day! -nteractions: Dandelion/Drug nteractions! Anal,esicsB 1ased in laboratory study, dandelion flower extract may suppress cyclooxygenase-2 (&/C-2) protein expression AntacidsB .actones in dandelion may increase gastric acid secretion! )t is possible that dandelion may reduce the effecti eness of antacids or drugs commonly used to treat peptic ulcer disease, such as famotidine (-epcidD) or esomepra(ole (*exiumD)! AnestheticsB According to secondary sources, dandelion has weak anesthetic properties! Anticoa,ulants and antiplateletsB )n theory, due to coumarins found in dandelion leaf extracts, dandelion may increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs! -latelet aggregation may also be inhibited! Antidia'etic a,entsB 1ased on an animal study, dandelion may lower blood sugar le els, although another study notes no changes! Antih pertensivesB )n theory, dandelion may increase the effects and toxicity of lithium, diuretics, niacin or drugs that lower blood pressure! Anti inflammator a,entsB ,esearch in laboratory animals suggests that dandelion root may possess anti-inflammatory properties! 1ased in laboratory study, dandelion flower extract may suppress cyclooxygenase-2 (&/C-2) protein expression! Antilipemic a,ents, 'ile acid se4uestrants B #andelion is suggested to increase in bile production and flow to the gall bladder (choleretic), and exert a direct effect on the gallbladder causing contraction and release of stored bile (cholagogue)!

Antineoplastic a,entsB 1ased on in vitro study, dandelion and other species ofTaraxacum may ha e antineoplastic acti ity! Appetite stimulantsB #andelion lea es may contain appetite-stimulating substances, eudesmanolides, pre iously known as taraxacum! Ciprofloxacin (Cipro?)B 1ased on animal research, dandelion may reduce the effects of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (&iproD) due to reduced absorption of the drug! )n theory, dandelion may reduce the absorption of other drugs taken at the same time! CorticosteroidsB Ehen used with dandelion, corticosteroids such as prednisone may increase the tendency for lower potassium le els! As a result, periodic monitoring of potassium le els may be recommended! C tochrome P&.@ meta'oliAed a,entsB There is animal e idence that dandelion may interfere with the way the li er breaks down certain drugs (using the -64A 1A2 and 2% en(yme systems)! Disulfiram (Anta'use?)B 1e aware that many tinctures contain high le els of alcohol and may cause nausea or omiting when taken with disulfiram (AntabuseD)! Di,oxinB Ehen used with dandelion, cardiac glycosides such as digoxin (.anoxinD) may increase the tendency for lower potassium le els! As a result, periodic monitoring of potassium le els may be recommended! DiureticsB <istorically, dandelion is belie ed to possess diuretic (increased urination) properties and to lower blood potassium le els! <owe er, dandelion also contains potassium! $es+uiterpenes lactones are responsible for diuretic effects and may contribute to dandelionFs mild anti-inflammatory acti ity! <uman clinical e idence is lacking! #stro,ensB 1ased on a mouse study and a human study, dandelion may up-regulate estrogen receptors (alpha and beta), progesterone receptor, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor expression, but decrease androstenedione and estrone-sulfate le els! 3ormonal a,entsB 1ased on a study in healthy premenopausal women, dandelion may decrease dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, androstenedione, and estrone-sulfate le els! 1ased on a mouse study and a human study, dandelion may up-regulate estrogen receptors (alpha and beta), progesterone receptor, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor expression! /axativesB According to traditional use, dandelion is a laxati e! /ithiumB )n theory, dandelion may increase the effects and toxicity of lithium due to sodium depletion! 8etronidaAole (1la, l?)B 1e aware that many tinctures contain high le els of alcohol and may cause nausea or omiting when taken with metronida(ole (0lagylD)! *iacinBnicotinic acidB The effects or side effects of niacin or nicotinic acid may be increased (such as

flushing and gastrointestinal upset), due to small amounts of nicotinic acid present in dandelion! PotassiumB #andelion may alter the effects of potassium! #andelion has historically been used as a diuretic, and may lower blood potassium le els! <owe er, dandelion also contains potassium! <uman clinical e idence is lacking! :uinolonesB #andelion may reduce the effecti eness of fluoro+uinolones! There is e idence that Taraxacum mongolicum reduces the absorption of ciprofloxacin (&iproD) ! Dandelion/Herb/Supplement nteractions! AntioxidantsB $e eral laboratory studies report antioxidant properties of dandelion flower extract !eta-caroteneB #andelion lea es contain itamin A, lutein, and beta-carotene, and supplemental doses of these agents may ha e additi e effects or toxicity! Cardiac ,l cosidesB #andelion may increase the toxic effects associated with herbs such as foxglo e! C tochrome P&.@ meta'oliAed her's and supplements B There is animal e idence that dandelion may interfere with the way the li er breaks down certain drugs (using the -64A 1A2 and 2% en(yme systems)! As a result, the le els of other herbs or supplements to be too high in the blood! )n theory, dandelion may also alter the effects that other herbs or supplements possibly ha e on the -64A system, such as bloodroot, catFs claw, chamomile, chaparral, chasteberry, damiana, Echinacea angustifolia, goldenseal, grapefruit 'uice, licorice, oregano, red clo er, $t! ;ohnFs wort, wild cherry, and yucca! Deh droepiandrosterone (D3#A)B 1ased on a study in healthy premenopausal women, dandelion may decrease dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, androstenedione, and estronesulfate le els! "astrointestinal her's and supplementsB According to a sur ey of women and traditional accounts, dandelion may cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including stomach discomfort, diarrhea and heartburn! 3ormone replacement therap (37T)B 1ased on a study in healthy premenopausal women, dandelion may decrease dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, androstenedione, and estrone-sulfate le els! 1ased on a mouse study and a human study, dandelion may up-regulate estrogen receptors (alpha and beta), progesterone receptor, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor expression! 3 potensivesB #andelion may increase the toxic effects when taken with supplements that lower blood pressure such as hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata)! /uteinB #andelion lea es contain itamin A, lutein, and beta-carotene, and supplemental doses of these agents may ha e additi e effects or toxicity!

*ondi,esti'le oli,osaccharidesB #andelion contains inulin, which is considered a nondigestible oligosaccharideC Ph toestro,ensB 1ased on a mouse study and a human study, dandelion may up-regulate estrogen receptors (alpha and beta), progesterone receptor, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor expression, but decrease androstenedione and estrone-sulfate le els! Drine al9aliniAin, her's and supplements B According to traditional use, dandelion has an alkalini(ing effect on urine! ;itamins (vitamin A)B #andelion lea es contain can accumulate in tissues! ;itamins (niacin)B The effects or side effects of niacin or nicotinic acid may be increased (such as flushing and gastrointestinal upset), due to small amounts of nicotinic acid present in dandelion! Dandelion/Lab nteractions! AndrostenedioneB 1ased on a human study, dandelion may decrease androstenedione and estronesulfate le els! D3#A0B 1ased on a study in healthy premenopausal women, dandelion may decrease dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, androstenedione, and estrone-sulfate le els! #lectrol tesB <istorically, dandelion is belie ed to possess diuretic (increased urination) properties and may increase the effects of other herbs with potential diuretic effects! Therefore, plasma sodium or potassium concentrations may decrease with dandelion use! <owe er, no such effects ha e been found in the a ailable literature! #stro,enB 1ased on a human study, dandelion may decrease androstenedione and estrone-sulfate le els! "lucoseB 1ased on an animal study, dandelion may lower blood sugar le els, although another study notes no changes! PTB-*7B )n theory, due to coumarins found in dandelion leaf extracts, dandelion may increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs! -latelet aggregation may also be inhibited! 0erum levels of c tochrome P&.@ meta'oliAed a,ents B There is animal e idence that dandelion may interfere with the way the li er breaks down certain drugs (using the -64A 1A2 and 2% en(yme systems)! itamin A, lutein, and beta-carotene, and supplemental doses of these agents may ha e additi e effects or toxicity! Gitamin A is fat-soluble and

Drine dru, screensB #andelion has been used historically by substance abusers with the intention of masking illicit substances in urine drug screens (anecdotal)! <owe er, there is no reliable study in this area!