Dandelion (taraxacum)

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Other names for dandelion

dandelion
dandelion root

Synopsis of dandelion

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a highly versatile and nutritive herb traditionally regarded as a tonic for the liver, kidneys, and digestive system. Every part of the plant—root, leaf, and flower—has medicinal value, and it grows abundantly across Europe, North America, and Asia. Though often dismissed as a weed, dandelion is rich in vitamins A, C, K, and minerals like potassium, iron, and calcium, as well as bitter compounds, inulin, flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, and triterpenes.

Different parts of the dandelion serve specific functions:

  • Root: Primarily used to stimulate liver detoxification, support bile flow, and improve digestion and elimination. It acts as a cholagogue and hepatic tonic, helpful in skin issues, sluggish digestion, and hormonal imbalances linked to liver congestion.
  • Leaf: A potassium-rich diuretic, supporting kidney function and fluid balance without depleting electrolytes. Commonly used for edema, water retention, and mild high blood pressure.
  • Flower: Mildly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, sometimes used topically or infused in oils for skin healing and soothing sore muscles.

Dandelion supports:

  • Liver and gallbladder detoxification
  • Digestive sluggishness, constipation, and bloating
  • Kidney and urinary health
  • Hormone balance via liver support
  • Skin conditions like acne, eczema, or psoriasis (often rooted in internal stagnation)
  • Blood sugar and lipid regulation

Modern herbalists use dandelion root in tincture, capsule, tea, or roasted form (as a coffee substitute). Dandelion leaf is commonly used fresh, dried for teas, or included in urinary and detox blends.

Historical Use
Dandelion has been used for over 1,000 years in traditional European, Chinese, and Middle Eastern medicine. Its Latin name, Taraxacum officinale, refers to its official (medicinal) status in old pharmacopeias.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dandelion (called Pu Gong Ying) is used to clear heat and toxins, especially from the liver and skin, and to reduce abscesses and support breast and urinary health.

In European folk medicine, dandelion was used as a classic "spring tonic"—a remedy to cleanse the blood and stimulate digestion after the heavy, rich foods of winter. It was also used to relieve joint pain, gallbladder congestion, and skin eruptions. Herbalists prescribed it for jaundice, constipation, and water retention as early as the 10th and 11th centuries.

In Native American herbal traditions, dandelion was used as a digestive and kidney tonic, with poultices made from the root or leaves for boils, sore throats, and skin wounds.

Today, dandelion is a cornerstone of Western herbal detoxification and metabolic support protocols, valued for its gentle, safe, and comprehensive effects on liver, digestion, skin, and kidneys. It is also increasingly used in functional foods, teas, and natural skincare.

Dandelion is used for these health conditions

Abdominal Pain (Traditional)
Acid Indigestion (Traditional)
Appetite (deficient) (Traditional)
Cancer (natural therapy for) (Scientific)
Cholesterol (high) (Traditional)
Cirrhosis of the Liver (Traditional)
Constipation (adults) (Traditional)
Diabetes (Scientific)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Dyspepsia (Traditional)
Edema (Traditional)
Fat Metabolism (poor) (Traditional)
Fatty Liver Disease (Traditional)
Fatty Tumors or Deposits (Traditional)
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed) (Traditional)
Gall Stones (Traditional)
Gas and Bloating (Traditional)
Gastritis (Traditional)
Hangover (Traditional)
Heavy Metal Poisoning (Traditional)
Hemorrhoids (Traditional)
Hepatitis (Traditional)
Ileocecal Valve (Traditional)
Indigestion (Traditional)
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (Scientific)
Injuries (Traditional)
Jaundice (adults) (Traditional)
Jaundice (infants) (Traditional)
Kidney Infection (Traditional)
Kidney Stones (Traditional)
Leaky Gut Syndrome (Traditional)
Liver Detoxification (Traditional)
Lungs (fluid in) (Traditional)
Nephritis (Traditional)
Overacidity (Traditional)
Pancreatitis (Traditional)
PMS Type H (Traditional)
Poisoning (general) (Traditional)
Urinary Tract Infections (Traditional)

dandelion is used to support these body systems

Bladder (Traditional)
Blood (Traditional)
Circulatory System (Traditional)
Digestive System (Traditional)
Estrogen (Traditional)
Female Reproductive System (Traditional)
Gall Bladder (Traditional)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Traditional)
Glandular System (Traditional)
Hepatic System (Traditional)
Immune System (Traditional)
Intestinal System (Traditional)
Kidneys (Traditional)
Large Intestines (Colon) (Traditional)
Liver (Traditional)
Lymphatics (Traditional)
Mucus Membranes (Traditional)
Pancreas Head (Traditional)
Skin (Traditional)
Solar Plexus (Traditional)
Spleen (Traditional)
Stomach (Traditional)
Urinary System (Scientific)