Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health.

Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc, is a board-certified acupuncturist, as well as an herbalist and integrative medicine doctor. He operates a private practice in Santa Monica, California.

Most people think of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) as an annoying weed they should immediately remove from their lawn or garden. But the plant has long been used in herbal medicine to help with digestion and stimulate the appetite. You can safely eat the entire dandelion plant from root to blossom. It has a slightly bitter, chicory-like taste.

The root itself is sometimes roasted to create caffeine-free dandelion coffee. When used for medicine, the dried or fresh root can be made into:

In traditional Chinese and Native American medicine, dandelion root has long been used to treat stomach and liver conditions. Herbalists today believe that it can help treat many health problems, including:

Some of the claims are better supported by research than others.

This article will discuss the benefits of dandelion root. It will explain how some people use it to boost their health. The article will also describe the side effects you may experience after using it as a medicine.

Dandelion is also known as pu gong ying in traditional Chinese medicine and simhadanti in Ayurvedic medicine. Its English folk name "piss-a-bed" and French nickname "pissenlit" both refer to the root's strong diuretic effect.

Despite its longstanding use throughout history in herbal remedies, there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the use of dandelion root as a medicine. While a number of animal and laboratory studies have been conducted, there have been few human trials.

Here is what some of the current research says about dandelion root:

Diuretics, also known as "water pills," are commonly used to treat:

While valuable, the drugs may cause side effects, including:

Some scientists believe that dandelion's diuretic properties may have medical uses. They believe it can treat prediabetes or premenstrual bloating and water retention.

Dandelions act as a diuretic. They cause you to produce more urine, helping you remove excess liquid from your body. If you also take prescription diuretics or herbal supplements that make you urinate more, you could risk getting electrolyte imbalance. This means your body doesn't have the right amounts of minerals. Electrolyte imbalance can lead to serious health problems.

In folk medicine, dried dandelion root is often ground into a paste and mixed with water to create a soothing medicine for skin disorders like:

There's not much evidence that dandelion can treat these conditions better or faster than leaving the skin alone. But it does seem to have mild anti-inflammatory and antipruritic (anti-itching) properties. Research also suggests that it may help prevent sun damage.

A 2015 study from Canada reported that dandelion extracts are able to block harmful ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation when applied to the skin, protecting it from sun damage while lowering the risk of skin cancer.

Dandelion is also known to cause contact dermatitis in some people, especially children. This is a type of skin reaction caused by a foreign substance. Be careful when applying any dandelion remedy to the skin.

Scientists think dandelion root has anti-diabetic properties due to a soluble fiber known as inulin. Inulin contains a type of complex carbohydrate known as fructooligosaccharide (FOS). This carbohydrate supports the growth of healthy bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and gets rid of unhealthy ones.

As a result, it increases insulin sensitivity by slowing the flow of sugar from the intestines to the bloodstream. This prevents spikes in either your blood sugar or insulin levels.

A 2016 review of studies from Aarhus University in Denmark suggested that dandelion extract also causes the pancreas to produce insulin. This helps to control blood sugar and avoid high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).

Dandelion is often taken as a tonic. Some people believe that it "cleanses" the liver. There is some evidence, although not much, to support this longstanding claim.

Early research suggests that dandelion root may be an anti-cancer agent. It does so by causing apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death, in certain cancer cells.

Apoptosis allows new cells to replace old cells. But with cancer, apoptosis stops working. The tumor cells continue to grow. Dandelion may interfere with the growth of these cancer cells.

A 2017 study found that dandelion root was able to effectively stop the growth of gastric cancer cells. It did this without damaging the growth of noncancerous cells.

Several studies have shown that different dandelion root extracts were able to trigger apoptosis in leukemia and melanoma.

While the studies are encouraging, scientists need to conduct more research before they can recommend dandelion root for either the prevention or treatment of cancer.

Dandelion root is generally considered safe and well-tolerated in adults if taken in moderation. Some people may experience side effects, including:

If you are allergic to the following plants, you should avoid dandelion root:

People who are allergic to dandelion root may experience rash, watery eyes, and other allergy symptoms. Dandelion also contains iodine and latex, so avoid it if you have allergies to either of these substances.

Pregnant women, nursing women, and children should avoid dandelion remedies due to the lack of research into their long-term safety. It is also possible that consuming too much dandelion may reduce fertility in women and testosterone levels in men. This may occur because of a substance in the plant called phytoestrogen, which mimics estrogen.

Dandelion can interact with certain drugs. It may affect how the drug is absorbed into the bloodstream, broken down by the liver, or cleared from the body in urine. Speak with your healthcare provider if you are taking a dandelion remedy along with any of the following drugs:

In some cases, your healthcare provider may need to change the dosage of your medication. Never hesitate to tell your healthcare provider about any herbal, naturopathic, homeopathic, or traditional medicine you may be taking.

There are no guidelines for the appropriate use of dandelion root in the United States. However, in Europe, the European Commission and the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia say the following dosages are considered safe for adults.

Dandelion root supplements are also available in drugstores and vitamin supplement stores. You can also find tinctures, teas, extracts, ointments, powders, and dried organic root in these kinds of shops.

As a rule of thumb, never take more than the manufacturer's recommended dosage. If you experience side effects of any sort, stop treatment and call your healthcare provider.

Dandelion root remedies are classified as dietary supplements by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They do not need to undergo the strict testing that pharmaceutical drugs do. Because of this, the quality of the products can vary.

To ensure the highest quality and safety standards, buy supplements that have been independently tested and certified by a recognized authority like:

For added safety, choose dandelion products that have been certified organic to avoid exposure to pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

Dandelion easily absorbs pesticides and heavy metals such as:

It also absorbs other harmful substances from the environment. It's usually not a good idea to eat wild dandelion if the purity of the soil, water, and air is unknown, such as near:

When buying a supplement, don't be fooled by claims that it can cure or treat any specific disease. Under the FDA labeling laws, it is illegal to make such claims, which are rarely supported by clinical evidence.

Most people think dandelion is just an annoying weed. But it has been used in medical treatments throughout history. People who believe in its healing properties use it as a diuretic. Some research shows that it can help treat acne, eczema, and other skin issues too.

Herbalists believe dandelion can cleanse the liver and treat diabetes. Scientists are still learning whether dandelion does this and if it helps fight against cancer.

Dandelion root has a few different uses. It has diuretic properties and is sometimes included in weight-loss formulations to help drop water weight. Dandelion root is sometimes used to heal skin lesions, rashes, and acne.

Dandelion root may also be helpful for managing blood sugar in people with diabetes and repairing liver damage. More research is needed before recommending dandelion root for preventing or treating any conditions.

Dandelion root is usually well tolerated. Side effects can include heartburn, diarrhea, skin irritation, and an upset stomach.

It is possible to be allergic to dandelion root. Symptoms of a dandelion root allergy include rash, watery eyes, and other nasal allergy symptoms. 

At standard doses in healthy individuals, dandelion root is safe for the kidneys. However, people with kidney diseases should consult their healthcare provider before taking dandelion root supplements.

Dandelion root is traditionally harvested in the fall. That is when inulin levels are at their highest. If you don't plan to use the harvested roots immediately, you can dry them in a dehydrator and store them in a glass jar for up to a year. If dried correctly, the outer flesh should have a dark color while the inner flesh should remain a creamy white.

Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.

Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.

There was an error. Please try again.

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners. Ten things you might not know about dandelions.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Dandelion.

Clare B, Conroy R, Spelman K. The diuretic effect in human subjects of an extract of Taraxacum officinale folium over a single day. J Altern Complement Med. 2009;5(8):929-34. doi:10.1089/acm.2008.0152

Mount Sinai Health System. Dandelion.

MedlinePlus. Fluid and electrolyte balance.

Yang Y, Li S. Dandelion extracts protect human skin fibroblasts from UVB damage and cellular senescence. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2015;2015:619560. doi:10.1155/2015/619560

Rasmussen A, Jacob SE. Dandelion: An important allergen in atopic children. Dermatitis. 2017;28(2):166. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000262

Wirngo F, Lambert M, Jeppesen P. The physiological effects of dandelion (taraxacum officinale) in type 2 diabetes. Rev Diabet Stud. 2016;13(2-3):113-31. doi:10.1900/RDS.2016.13.113

Ovadje P, Ammar S, Guerrero JA, Arnason JT, Pandey S. Dandelion root extract affects colorectal cancer proliferation and survival through the activation of multiple death signaling pathways. Oncotarget. 2016;7(45):73080-73100. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.11485

Zhu H, Zhao H, Zhang L, et al. Dandelion root extract suppressed gastric cancer cells proliferation and migration through targeting lncRNA-CCAT1. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2017;93:1010-1017. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2017.07.007

Martinez M, Poirrier P, Chamy R, et al. Taraxacum officinale and related species-An ethnopharmacological review and its potential as a commercial medicinal plant. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;169:244-262. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.03.067

Jargin SV. Soy and phytoestrogens: possible side effects. Ger Med Sci. 2014;12:Doc18. doi:10.3205/000203

American Botanical Council. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E.

Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.

There was an error. Please try again.