Dandelion Tea

Overview

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) flowers, leaves and root have traditionally been used in Mexican and other North American medicine. Today oral dandelion products are promoted for indigestion, and oral and topical products for joint pain. [1]

Root vs leaf

Dandelion root tea and dandelion leaf tea are different products. NIH names the flowers, leaves and root together and does not give separate evidence or safety information for each part, so we cannot say that findings about one apply to another. [1] Check the label for the part used.

What the research shows

NIH says it knows very little about dandelion's effect on human health, that very little research exists, and that there is no compelling scientific evidence supporting its use for any health condition. Preliminary laboratory studies have looked at dandelion extracts, but those are not human results. [1] PubMed lists only 6 randomized trials mentioning dandelion (see Research). The marketing of dandelion tea as a "liver detox" is not supported by the source we read; see Detox & weight loss tea claim check.

Safety

• Dandelion in amounts commonly found in food is considered likely safe; less is known about larger amounts. [1]
• Allergy: topical dandelion may cause a reaction in people with eczema, and there is conflicting evidence about reactions in people sensitive to related plants such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds and daisies. [1]
• Medicines: there are theoretical reasons to suspect interactions with antidiabetes, anticoagulant, antiplatelet and water pill (diuretic) drugs, among others. [1] Theoretical means not proven, but still a reason to ask a pharmacist.
• Little is known about amounts above food levels in pregnancy or breastfeeding. [1]