Properties:

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, mild diuretic, bitter tonic, cholagogue

Dosage:

4-10 grams daily of dried root (or as a decoction/infusion); 4-10 ml of tincture (1:5 strength) up to three times daily. (Break for at least 2 weeks after 12 weeks of continuous daily usage).

Benefits:

Supports healthy liver and gallbladder function by stimulating bile production and flow, acts as an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K, and is rich in inulin (a soluble prebiotic fibre that supports healthy gut bacteria). May also help with mild water retention and associated bloating.

Hormonal Benefits:

Supports healthy blood sugar balance (improving insulin sensitivity) and assists the liver in efficiently metabolizing and clearing metabolic byproducts and excess hormones throughout the body.

Avoid if:

You have a known allergy to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family (such as ragweed, daisies, marigolds, or chrysanthemums), acute gallbladder inflammation, gallstones, bile duct obstruction, or active kidney failure.

Cautions:

Avoid high therapeutic doses if pregnant or breastfeeding (culinary amounts of greens are generally fine, but medicinal extracts lack sufficient safety data). Can occasionally cause stomach discomfort, diarrhea, or heartburn.

You should also be cautious if you are taking any of the following:

Quinolone antibiotics (absorption may be reduced), Cytochrome P450 liver substrates / Glucuronidated drugs, Potassium-sparing diuretics (due to high natural potassium content), Lithium (diuretic effects can impair lithium clearance), Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs, or Antidiabetes drugs (due to potential additive blood-sugar-lowering effects).

References

American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP). (2000). Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale): Analytical, Quality Control, and Therapeutic Monograph. AHP.

Blumenthal, M., Goldberg, A., & Brinckmann, J. (2000). Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Integrative Medicine Communications.

British Herbal Medicine Association (BHMA). (1996). British Herbal Compendium: Volume 1. BHMA.

European Medicines Agency (EMA). (2009). Community Herbal Monograph on Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wigg., radix. EMA/HMPC/214311/2008.

Gruenwald, J., Brendler, T., & Jaenicke, C. (2004). PDR for Herbal Medicines (3rd ed.). Thomson PDR.

Health Canada. (2025). Natural Health Products Ingredients Database (NHPID): Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion). Government of Canada.

Mills, S., & Bone, K. (2005). The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. Churchill Livingstone.

World Health Organization (WHO). (2007). WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants (Volume 3). World Health Organization.