Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for various digestive ailments, including liver and gastrointestinal complaints. More recently, preclinical research has explored its potential to support inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD) such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Laboratory and animal studies suggest that dandelion extracts possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. These effects are attributed mainly to bioactive compounds such as sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, and phenolic acids found in the plant.

Specifically, dandelion extracts have demonstrated the ability to reduce levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6) and inhibit the activity of NF-κB, a key regulator of inflammation in the gut. Additionally, dandelion may help maintain the integrity of the gut barrier and modulate gut microbiota composition, which is relevant to IBD pathogenesis. However, most of this evidence comes from in vitro and animal studies; robust clinical trials in humans with IBD are lacking.

In summary, while dandelion shows promise as an adjunctive therapy for IBD due to its anti-inflammatory and protective effects observed in preclinical models, there is insufficient high-quality clinical evidence to strongly recommend its use. Therefore, it receives a modest evidence rating, primarily based on scientific investigation rather than traditional use for this specific condition.