Skip to content

Printed from https://bottledhope.co/supplements/dandelion/. Last reviewed 2026-10-31. Check the site for the latest version.

Dandelion

A plant native to Europe and found in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, taken for indigestion, to pass more water and for joint pain.

Explained simply · Last reviewed

What it is

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a plant native to Europe and found throughout temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, according to NCCIH, the US agency that studies complementary medicine. NCCIH states that the flowers, leaves and root have traditionally been used in Mexican and other North American medicine, and that oral dandelion products are promoted today for indigestion, and oral and topical products for joint pain.

More about Dandelion

NCCIH states that the flowers, leaves and root have traditionally been used in Mexican and other North American medicine, and that oral dandelion products are promoted today for indigestion, and oral and topical products for joint pain.

Europe’s medicines agency, EMA, assesses dandelion as a herbal medicine for the European Union, with separate monographs for the leaf, the root, and the root together with the above-ground plant. It accepts all three only as traditional herbal medicines, uses it describes as based exclusively on long-standing use: the leaf for increasing the amount of urine, and the root, and root with herb, also for relief of mild digestive complaints and temporary loss of appetite.

NCCIH states that very little research exists on this herb. EMA’s 2019 review of its root-with-herb monograph reported that no clinical studies were found. Its 2019 review of the leaf monograph lists one efficacy study with 17 volunteers and notes its limits. This page cites that study, and a review of laboratory work on dandelion and cancer.

The ratings below cover indigestion, urine output, joint pain and cancer.

Also known as: Taraxacum officinale, common dandelion, lion’s tooth, blowball, dandelion root, dandelion leaf

At a glance

Safety: known risks, 7 groups who should avoid it or take extra care and 3 documented interactions. See Safety ↓

Claims made about Dandelion, and how strong the evidence is for each:

Each rating follows our published rules and the sources cited for it. We don’t add our own medical judgment. How we rate

Safety

Read this before the ratings below.

Risks

  • NCCIH, the US agency that studies complementary medicine, states that using dandelion in the amounts commonly found in food is considered likely safe, and that less is known about the safety of taking larger amounts.
  • NCCIH states that some evidence suggests topical dandelion may cause an allergic reaction in people who have atopic dermatitis (eczema). It also states that there is conflicting evidence about whether dandelion causes an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to related plants such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds and daisies.
  • Europe’s medicines agency, EMA, states in all three of its dandelion monographs that allergic reactions may occur, with frequency not known. Its monograph on root with herb adds that epigastric pain (pain in the upper stomach) and hyperacidity may occur, with frequency not known. EMA states that no case of overdose has been reported.
  • In its 2019 review of the root-with-herb monograph, EMA notes that one new reference “describes exact content of taraxinic acid D-glucopyranoside, known contact sensitizer.” It found no new safety concerns in that review.
  • EMA states that adequate tests on genotoxicity have not been performed for dandelion, and that tests on reproductive toxicity and carcinogenicity have not been performed.

Who should avoid it or take extra care

  • Allergy to the daisy family: EMA lists hypersensitivity to dandelion or to plants of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family as a contraindication in all three monographs.
  • Bile duct, liver and gallbladder conditions: EMA’s monographs on root with herb and on leaf list “obstructions of bile ducts, cholangitis, liver diseases, gallstones, active peptic ulcer and any other biliary diseases” as contraindications. Its root monograph states that, “due to possible stimulation on bile secretion”, dandelion root is not recommended in obstruction of the bile duct, cholangitis, liver disease, gallstones and any other biliary diseases.
  • Kidney failure, diabetes and heart failure: EMA’s monographs on root with herb and on leaf state that use in patients with renal failure, diabetes or heart failure “should be avoided because of possible risks due to hyperkalemia.” Its later root monograph does not repeat this, and states that dandelion root is not recommended for people whose doctor advises reduced fluid intake.
  • Children: EMA does not recommend use in children under 12 years of age in any of its monographs, stating that use in this age group has not been established “due to lack of adequate data”.
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: EMA states that safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been established and that, in the absence of sufficient data, use is not recommended. NCCIH states that little is known about whether it is safe to use dandelion in amounts greater than those found in foods during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
  • Symptoms that persist or change: EMA states that if symptoms persist longer than 2 weeks during use, a doctor or qualified health care practitioner should be consulted. For urinary use it names fever, dysuria (painful urination), spasms or blood in the urine as reasons to consult one.
  • People taking medicines or other supplements: NCCIH advises talking with a health care provider before using dandelion or other herbal products, because “some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways.”

Documented interactions

  • Diabetes medicines: NCCIH states that there are theoretical reasons to suspect that dandelion might interact with antidiabetes drugs. EMA states “none reported” for interactions in its monographs, and separately advises avoiding dandelion in patients with diabetes, because of possible risks due to hyperkalemia. Source [1]Source [2]Source [3]
  • Blood thinners (anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs): NCCIH states that there are theoretical reasons to suspect that dandelion might interact with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs. EMA states “none reported” for interactions in its monographs. Source [1]Source [2]Source [3]Source [4]
  • Water pills (diuretics): NCCIH states that there are theoretical reasons to suspect that dandelion might interact with water pill drugs. EMA states “none reported” for interactions in its monographs. Source [1]Source [2]Source [3]Source [4]

Safety sources: Source [1]Source [2]Source [3]Source [4]Source [5]

What the evidence says

Each claim is rated on its own evidence. Ratings follow the scale on our methodology page.

  • Eases indigestion and other mild digestive complaints Evidence rating: Insufficient

    People take dandelion tea or extracts hoping to settle their stomach and ease a heavy, bloated feeling after meals.

    NCCIH states there is no compelling scientific evidence supporting dandelion for any health condition, and EMA accepts it for digestive complaints only on long-standing use.

    NCCIH, the US agency that studies complementary medicine, states that oral dandelion products are promoted for indigestion. It states: “We know very little about dandelion’s effect on human health. Very little research exists on this herb.” It adds: “There’s no compelling scientific evidence supporting the use of dandelion for any health condition.”

    Europe’s medicines agency, EMA, accepts dandelion root, and dandelion root with herb, as traditional herbal medicines for relief of symptoms of mild digestive disorders, such as a feeling of abdominal fullness, flatulence and slow digestion. It also accepts them for temporary loss of appetite. EMA states these are uses “exclusively based upon long-standing use”, which is a statement about tradition, not about trial results. In its 2019 review of the root-with-herb monograph, EMA wrote: “No clinical studies or new safety concerns related to the use of Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wigg., radix cum herba were found.”

    This page rates the claim on the NCCIH statement. It means too little human research to show whether dandelion helps, not evidence that it does not.

    Sources: Source [1]Source [2]Source [3]Source [4]

  • Increases urine output (acts as a diuretic) Evidence rating: Insufficient

    People drink dandelion leaf tea or take extracts hoping to pass more water.

    One small uncontrolled leaf-extract study found more frequent urination but no significant change in daily volume; NCCIH sees no compelling evidence for any use, and EMA relies on long-standing use.

    The only human study this page cites is a 2009 pilot of a dandelion leaf extract in healthy women aged 18 to 65. Twenty-eight volunteered and 11 could not finish, so 17 were analyzed. It had no placebo group and no blinding. Each woman was compared with her own earlier day. Urination was more frequent on the study day, and the ratio of urine passed to fluid drunk rose in the hours after the second dose. After the third dose nothing changed. Total fluid drunk and passed over the day did not differ significantly.

    The authors list the study’s limits: “lack of blinding, small numbers of subjects, self-monitoring for fluid input/output, no correction for water content of food consumed, and limited baseline values of urine output.” They conclude that the extract “shows promise as a diuretic in humans” and that further studies are needed. They also write that the results “do not rule out that dandelion leaf acts as a bladder irritant due to the increase in the daily frequency but not the daily urination volume.” The extract was supplied free by a herbal products company. The authors’ institute sells that company’s products in its clinic and describes a long-term relationship with it; the authors state they have no financial interest in the company.

    Europe’s medicines agency, EMA, accepts dandelion leaf, root, and root with herb as traditional herbal medicines to increase the amount of urine, flushing the urinary tract as an adjuvant in minor urinary complaints. It states this is a use “exclusively based upon long-standing use”. In its 2019 review of the leaf monograph, EMA describes the new references it found as chemistry, “non-clinical studies (in vitro and in vivo), and one efficacy study with 17 volunteers”. It repeats the limits of that study and states: “No references justify a revision of the monograph.” Its 2019 review of the root-with-herb monograph reported that no clinical studies were found.

    NCCIH, the US agency that studies complementary medicine, states that there is no compelling scientific evidence supporting dandelion for any health condition. It does not discuss urine output by name. This page rates the claim insufficient: one small uncontrolled study is too little evidence to show an effect, and it is not evidence of no effect.

    Sources: Source [1]Source [2]Source [3]Source [4]Source [5]Source [6]Source [7]

  • Eases joint pain Evidence rating: Insufficient

    People take dandelion or rub it on hoping it will ease aching joints.

    NCCIH states that dandelion is promoted for joint pain but that no compelling scientific evidence supports its use for any health condition.

    NCCIH, the US agency that studies complementary medicine, states that oral and topical dandelion products are promoted for joint pain. It states: “We know very little about dandelion’s effect on human health. Very little research exists on this herb.” It adds: “There’s no compelling scientific evidence supporting the use of dandelion for any health condition.” It notes that preliminary laboratory studies have evaluated dandelion extracts for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiviral properties.

    None of the sources this page cites describes a trial of dandelion for joint pain, and EMA’s monographs do not include it as a use. This page rates the claim on the NCCIH statement: too little human research to show whether dandelion helps, not evidence that it does not.

    Sources: Source [1]

  • Slows or stops the growth of cancer Evidence rating: Insufficient

    People with cancer, or worried about it, look up dandelion root hoping it can slow tumors.

    A 2025 review of dandelion and cancer describes laboratory and animal work, not trials in people; NCCIH finds no compelling evidence for any health use.

    A 2025 review of dandelion and cancer defines dandelion as the plants Taraxacum mongolicum, Taraxacum borealisinense “and other species from the Taraxacum genus”, and does not name Taraxacum officinale as its subject. It describes studies of dandelion extracts and compounds, such as taraxasterol and polysaccharides, in cultured cancer cells, and some in mice with tumors. It describes no trial in people. Its authors write that most current studies “are primarily performed on in vitro cancer cells”, that research in animals is still needed, and that how the compounds behave in the body “is still unreported till today”.

    The authors’ conclusion has two sides. They write that the compounds “exhibit no toxicity toward normal cells and mice, and present certain advantages and potential applications in the research and development of anticancer drugs or adjuvant therapy”. They also write that the effective concentrations for most of the compounds “are too high and limit their development value”. The review is a narrative review, with no stated systematic search, so it is not counted toward a rating. The review reports no studies of safety in people.

    NCCIH, the US agency that studies complementary medicine, does not discuss cancer on its dandelion page. It states that there is no compelling scientific evidence supporting dandelion for any health condition, and that preliminary laboratory studies have evaluated extracts for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiviral properties.

    This page rates the claim insufficient: the work found is laboratory and animal research, which cannot show whether dandelion helps people with cancer.

    Sources: Source [1]Source [2]

Which form the evidence used

Supplements are sold in several forms. This is what the sources on this page say about them — which form the research used, and any comparison those sources themselves made. Where they made none, this page does not rank the forms.

  • Dandelion leaf (Taraxaci folium), as tea, liquid extract or pressed juice, What the sources supportDetails

    Europe’s medicines agency, EMA, has a monograph for dandelion leaf as dried leaf for tea, a liquid extract or pressed juice from fresh leaves. It accepts these only as traditional herbal medicines, for increasing the amount of urine, a use it calls “exclusively based upon long-standing use”. The one small human study this page cites used a leaf extract. No cited source compared leaf with root, so this page cannot say that either works better. Source [1]Source [2]Source [3]

  • Dandelion root (Taraxaci radix), What the sources supportDetails

    EMA has a separate 2021 monograph for dandelion root, as dried root for tea, juice from fresh root, a liquid extract or a tincture. It accepts these only as traditional herbal medicines, for mild digestive complaints, temporary loss of appetite and increasing the amount of urine, on long-standing use. Source [1]

  • Dandelion root with herb (Taraxaci radix cum herba), the whole plant, What the sources supportDetails

    EMA also has a monograph for root together with the above-ground plant, as dried plant for tea, a dry extract, liquid extracts or pressed juice from the fresh flowering plant. It accepts these only as traditional herbal medicines, for mild digestive complaints, temporary loss of appetite and increasing the amount of urine. The monograph was adopted in 2009, with a corrected version dated 2019. When EMA reviewed this monograph in 2019 it reported that no clinical studies were found. Source [1]Source [2]

Also documented elsewhere on this site

Other supplements we cover that document an interaction with the same thing. This is a pointer to what those pages say, not a statement about taking them together — we have no source reviewing these in combination.

Sources

  1. Dandelion
    National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NIH, 2024 · Health authority summary · Primary source
  2. European Union herbal monograph on Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg., radix – Final
    European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC), 2021 · Health authority summary · Primary source
  3. Community herbal monograph on Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wigg., radix cum herba – Final
    European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC), 2019 · Health authority summary · Primary source
  4. Addendum to Assessment report on Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wigg., radix cum herba
    European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC), 2019 · Health authority summary · Primary source
  5. The Diuretic Effect in Human Subjects of an Extract of Taraxacum officinale Folium over a Single Day
    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2009 · Trial without a placebo group · Supporting source
    This source discloses industry funding.
  6. Community herbal monograph on Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wigg., folium – Final
    European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC), 2009 · Health authority summary · Primary source
  7. Addendum to Assessment report on Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wigg., folium
    European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC), 2019 · Health authority summary · Primary source
  8. Tracking Evidences of Dandelion for the Treatment of Cancer: From Chemical Composition, Bioactivity, Signaling Pathways in Cancer Cells to Perspective Study
    Nutrients, 2025 · Narrative review · Not counted toward ratings

Page history

Show all 2 changes to this page
  • — Published.
  • — Drafted. Indigestion, urine output, joint pain and cancer rated insufficient.