Evidence supporting the use of: Dandelion
For the health condition: Leaky Gut Syndrome

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for supporting digestion and liver health. In various folk and traditional systems, including Traditional Chinese Medicine and European herbalism, dandelion root and leaves have been used as a digestive tonic, believed to stimulate appetite, bile production, and support the body's natural detoxification processes. The concept of "leaky gut syndrome," however, is relatively modern and is not explicitly referenced in traditional herbal texts. Rather, the use of dandelion for digestive complaints may tangentially support gut health through its effects on bile flow and mild anti-inflammatory properties. Scientific studies on dandelion's direct effect on intestinal permeability ("leaky gut") in humans are lacking. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest dandelion extracts have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which could theoretically benefit gut mucosal health. However, there are no robust clinical trials demonstrating that dandelion repairs or prevents increased intestinal permeability in humans. Thus, the justification for its use in leaky gut syndrome is primarily based on traditional use for digestive well-being, not on scientific validation for this specific condition. Therefore, while dandelion may be included in some herbal protocols for general digestive support, the evidence specifically supporting its use for leaky gut syndrome is very limited.

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