Evidence supporting the use of: Dandelion
For the health condition: Gas and Bloating
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has a long history of traditional use in various systems of herbal medicine, including Traditional Chinese Medicine and European folk medicine, for supporting digestive health, particularly in relieving gas and bloating. Traditionally, dandelion root and sometimes the leaves have been used as a mild digestive bitter, believed to stimulate appetite and promote the production of digestive juices such as bile. This increased bile flow is thought to help break down fats and facilitate smoother digestion, potentially reducing symptoms like gas and bloating.
Despite its widespread traditional use, scientific evidence supporting dandelion’s effectiveness for gas and bloating is limited. A handful of in vitro and animal studies indicate that dandelion may have mild carminative (gas-relieving) and prebiotic effects, possibly due to its inulin content, which can modulate gut microbiota. However, clinical trials in humans specifically targeting gas and bloating are lacking. Most evidence is anecdotal or based on historical use rather than robust clinical data.
In summary, while dandelion’s use for digestive complaints is well established in traditional medicine and supported by its inclusion in many herbal digestive blends, strong scientific validation is lacking. The evidence supporting its effectiveness for gas and bloating is therefore primarily traditional, with a low to moderate evidence rating.
Other ingredients used for Gas and Bloating
activated charcoalallspice
alpha-galactosidase
amylase
apple
artichoke
bacillus coagulans
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
black pepper
bасора
chamomile
chen pi
cinnamon
coating
coconut milk
cucumber
turmeric
dandelion
fennel
fenugreek
fiber blend (proprietary)
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
gentian root
ginger
greek mountain tea
green banana
cellulase
horseradish
isomalto-oligosaccharide
quassia
lactobacillus gasseri
lemon
licorice root
lipase
lovage
mastic gum
microbial enzymes (proprietary)
mint
okra
oregano
pancreatin
parsley
pear
peppermint oil
pineapple
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
butyric acid
psyllium
raspberry
rhubarb root
sage
schizonepeta
slippery elm bark
spearmint leaf
triphala
wasabia japonica
xylanase
bentonite
cascara sagrada
tangerine
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
Indian bael
neem tree
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
commiphora
caesalpinia crista
fumaria parviflora
goldenrod
yarrow
bile salt
prickly ash
elecampane
flowering quince
dogwood
fern
sweet flag
morinda
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
birch
queen of the meadow
polyphenols
caraway
wintergreen
camphor oil
menthol oil
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
wood betony
paw paw
horehound
Sichuan pepper
alginic acid
enzymes blend (proprietary)
cayenne pepper
geranium
akebia
Apple Cider Vinegar
Actinidin
Agastache
Angelica
acacia
Agrimony
Anamu
Amomum
Asafoetida
Ajuga
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Angostura
Arrowroot
Agrimonia pilosa
Antifoam agent
Bifidobacterium
Buttermilk
Blue Flag
Blackthorn
Bicarbonate
Bayleaf
Belleric myrobalan
Bran
Butea monosperma
Bitter Grass
Bael
boldo
black salt
Bifidobacterium animalis
Black Nightshade
Borassus Palm
Buddha's Hand
Borassus aethiopum
Bitter principals
Bacteria
banana
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Cumin
Centaury
Chinese Silkvine
Cinnamomum
Carqueja
Chervil
coconut oil
Coriander
Centaurium erythraea
Cyathula
Carry Me Seed
Cajuput
Chlorophytum
Carvone
Cymbopogon Martini
Coca
Capers
Chanca Piedra
Campylandra fimbriata
Chenopodium
Colombo
Centipeda
Cubeb
Carob
Chirata
Cha de bugre
Carlina
Calamus
Cosmos
Costus
Castor Oil
Colocynth
cola nut
Clerodendrum indicum
Dianthus
Dimethylpolysiloxane
Dragonhead
Dill
Dolichos
Dichrostachys glomerata
Erodium cicutarium
English Horsemint
Enzyme Blend
Eupatorium
Embelia
Garlic
Galangal
Mustard
Prickly Pear Cactus
Potash
Quince
Rose
Rhubarb
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Vinegar
Other health conditions supported by dandelion
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Appetite (deficient)
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cholesterol (high)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Constipation (adults)
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Edema
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatty Liver Disease
Fatty Tumors or Deposits
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gall Stones
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Hangover
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Ileocecal Valve
Indigestion
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Injuries
Jaundice (adults)
Jaundice (infants)
Kidney Infection
Kidney Stones
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Liver Detoxification
Lungs (fluid in)
Nephritis
Overacidity
Pancreatitis
PMS Type H
Poisoning (general)
Urinary Tract Infections
Products containing dandelion
Nature's Sunshine CleanStart Mild
Nature's Sunshine Cellular Detox (Formerly All Cell Detox)
Nature's Sunshine Skin Detox (Ayurvedic)
Nature's Sunshine BP-X
Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Positive Pack
Nature's Sunshine Dandelion
Nature's Sunshine Detox Basics (Best used by 7/31/25)
Nature's Sunshine Dieter's Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Enviro-Detox
Nature's Sunshine Glandular System
Nature's Sunshine Hepatic System
Nature's Sunshine Herbal Trace Minerals
Nature's Sunshine Hi Lipase
Nature's Sunshine Immune System
Nature's Sunshine Kidney Activator (ATC)
Nature's Sunshine Kidney Activator
Nature's Sunshine Lactase Plus
Nature's Sunshine Liquid Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine LIV-J
Nature's Sunshine Liver Cleanse Formula
Nature's Sunshine Master Gland Formula®
Nature's Sunshine Milk Thistle Combination
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (Time Release)
Nature's Sunshine Nattozimes Plus
Nature's Sunshine Combination Potassium
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal
Nature's Sunshine Pro-Pancreas Formula
Nature's Sunshine Proactazyme®
Nature's Sunshine SF
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental (Without Iron)
Nature's Sunshine Super Trio
Nature's Sunshine Tiao He Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Urinary Maintenance
Nature's Sunshine Urinary System
Nature's Sunshine VS-C
Nature's Sunshine VS-C
Nature's Sunshine VS-C® TCM