Dandelion Clinical Applications
Welcome to the blog series Herb of the Month!
This week, we will be exploring the many benefits and clinical applications of the hardy, golden-yellow perennial plant known as the Dandelion. It’s had deep roots in history throughout the ages as a culinary herb and especially as an herbal medicine. Dandelion is rich in the presence of bitter glycosides, carbohydrates, carotenoids, terpenes, fatty acids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, phytosterols, polysaccharides, sesquiterpene lactones, and triterpenoids. Additionally, it’s rich in Vitamins: A, B complex, C; and Minerals: calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, sodium, & zinc. As you can see from root to flower, dandelions are highly nutrient dense plants loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. In addition to being highly nutritious, Dandelion preparations are known to be to be anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, antinociceptive, antitumor, antiproliferative, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antiviral, antiretroviral, prebiotic, antimicrobial, and antibacterial. It’s also been found to stimulate the secretion of insulin, induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in dysfunctional cells (e.g., tumor cells), and inhibit lipid and triglyceride accumulation. Because of this herb’s versatile roles, Dandelion can be found alone or even combined with other herbs and dietary supplements to help bring out the synergistic and potent medicinal qualities.
Health Benefits of Dandelion
Liver Health
The liver is the second largest organ in our bodies. It’s no surprise that liver diseases are one of the major health problems in the world. The liver helps separate nutrients and waste as it moves through our digestive system. It also produces bile, a substance that carries toxins out of our bodies and aids in digestion. Historically, Dandelion roots and leaves were used to treat liver problems.
A study entitled “Protective Effects of Taraxacum officinale L. (Dandelion) Root Extract in Experimental Acute on Chronic Liver Failure” written by Iulia Olimpia Pfingstgraf et al and published in 2021 in the MDPI: Antioxidant Journal studied aimed to investigate the possible preventing effect of ethanolic Dandelion root extract on a rat experimental acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) model. They found that oxidative stress markers were reduced, showing the potential hepatoprotective effect of Dandelion root extract in the rat experimental ACLF. This suggests for the first time that Dandelion root extract may be a potential preventive therapeutic agent for severe liver and renal inflammatory injury associated with ACLF.
Another recent study entitled “Dandelion prevents liver fibrosis, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress in rats,” written by Alaaeldin Ahmed Hamza et al and published in The Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology in 2020, aimed to test whole plant powder of Dandelion on liver fibrosis. They found that Dandelion remarkably improved the microscopic anatomy of the liver, decreased collagen deposition, suppression of inflammatory cytokines, and decreased oxidative stress markers. These results suggest that dandelion helps to prevent the progression of hepatic fibrosis.
Skin Health
Throughout history, Dandelion was used for a plethora of medicinal purposes, including for skin ailments. It’s believed that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nature of the herb is what helps, but more research needs to be provided. One study entitled “Psoriasis Management Using Herbal Supplementation: A Retrospective Clinical Case Study,” written by Buthaina Alkhatib et al and published in 2021 in the Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine journal aimed to investigate the effect of a mixture of traditional Jordanian herbal supplements(dandelion, olive leaf, nettle leaf, and turmeric, along with 2 capsules of milk thistle) on psoriasis treatment. Participants were instructed to follow the therapy protocol for 5 consecutive months. The psoriasis area and severity index score were calculated during pretreatment and post-treatment. They discovered that their severity index scores significantly decreased post-treatment. Additionally, another study entitled “Dandelion Extracts Protect Human Skin Fibroblasts from UVB Damage and Cellular Senescence,” written by Yafan Yang and Shuangshuang Li and published in 2015 in the Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity Journal aimed to study the effectiveness in Dandelion extracts in skin health, specifically skin photoaging. They found that both dandelion leaves and flowers have a significant skin protective effect against UVB radiation. It inhibits the oxidation of skin cells when those cells are exposed to UV rays. Additionally, it helps to stimulate antioxidant regeneration within the skin and protects your skin from the aging factors of sun exposure.
Additional Health Benefits of Dandelion
Digestive Health
Dandelion was often used in traditional medicine to help treat constipation and improve digestive health. A recent review entitled “The potential of dandelion in the fight against gastrointestinal diseases: A review,” written by Yanni Li et al and published in 2022 in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology aimed to critically assess the current state of research and summarize the potential roles of Dandelion and its chemical constituents in gastrointestinal protection. They discovered that some in vivo and in vitro studies show Dandelion products and derived constituents exhibiting pharmacological effects against GI disorders such as: dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastritis, small intestinal ulcer, ulcerative colitis, liver diseases, gallstones, acute pancreatitis, and GI malignancy. However, research related to GI protective dandelion-derived products remains limited, so more clinical studies are required.
Heart Health
Lowering cholesterol levels is a key step to reducing the risk of heart disease. Recent studies have shown that some compounds in Dandelion may actually decrease triglyceride and cholesterol levels. In one study entitled “Phenolic Fractions from Dandelion Leaves and Petals as Modulators of the Antioxidant Status and Lipid Profile in an In Vivo Study,” written by Michał Majewski et al and published in 2020 in the MDPI: Antioxidant Journal, they aimed to examine whether dandelion fractions from leaves and petals influence triglyceride and cholesterol levels. They found that the levels were significantly reduced, confirming the potential of Dandelion as a component of functional foods that could potentially bring a range of benefits to human health.
Final Recommendations
Here are Nancy’s Dandelion recommendations from Fullscript:
There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to recommending Dandelion. The amount taken per serving and the number of times a day has differing effects on everyone. In addition, various forms of dandelion may require different doses. Because of this, Nancy recommends Booking a 15 Minute Discovery call if you’re interested in taking this wonderful herb. It’s important to consult with a registered clinical herbalist or natural health practitioner trained in clinical herbalism for more resistant and deeper set health issues. They will be able to give a more tailored suggested serving and daily frequency based on your age, gender, body weight, and any present medical conditions.
Remember to join us each month as we explore the history, personality, clinical application, and more of Nancy’s favorite plants. Get a snippet of the properties and practical uses of these herbs and how they supported the health of our ancestors as well as how they can support us in our present day.
Other Resources:
Welcome to the blog series Herb of the Month!
This week, we will be exploring the many benefits and clinical applications of the hardy, golden-yellow perennial plant known as the Dandelion. It’s had deep roots in history throughout the ages as a culinary herb and especially as an herbal medicine. Dandelion is rich in the presence of bitter glycosides, carbohydrates, carotenoids, terpenes, fatty acids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, phytosterols, polysaccharides, sesquiterpene lactones, and triterpenoids. Additionally, it’s rich in Vitamins: A, B complex, C; and Minerals: calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, sodium, & zinc. As you can see from root to flower, dandelions are highly nutrient dense plants loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. In addition to being highly nutritious, Dandelion preparations are known to be to be anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, antinociceptive, antitumor, antiproliferative, antioxidant, cytotoxic, antiviral, antiretroviral, prebiotic, antimicrobial, and antibacterial. It’s also been found to stimulate the secretion of insulin, induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in dysfunctional cells (e.g., tumor cells), and inhibit lipid and triglyceride accumulation. Because of this herb’s versatile roles, Dandelion can be found alone or even combined with other herbs and dietary supplements to help bring out the synergistic and potent medicinal qualities.
Health Benefits of Dandelion
Liver Health
The liver is the second largest organ in our bodies. It’s no surprise that liver diseases are one of the major health problems in the world. The liver helps separate nutrients and waste as it moves through our digestive system. It also produces bile, a substance that carries toxins out of our bodies and aids in digestion. Historically, Dandelion roots and leaves were used to treat liver problems.
A study entitled “Protective Effects of Taraxacum officinale L. (Dandelion) Root Extract in Experimental Acute on Chronic Liver Failure” written by Iulia Olimpia Pfingstgraf et al and published in 2021 in the MDPI: Antioxidant Journal studied aimed to investigate the possible preventing effect of ethanolic Dandelion root extract on a rat experimental acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) model. They found that oxidative stress markers were reduced, showing the potential hepatoprotective effect of Dandelion root extract in the rat experimental ACLF. This suggests for the first time that Dandelion root extract may be a potential preventive therapeutic agent for severe liver and renal inflammatory injury associated with ACLF.
Another recent study entitled “Dandelion prevents liver fibrosis, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress in rats,” written by Alaaeldin Ahmed Hamza et al and published in The Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology in 2020, aimed to test whole plant powder of Dandelion on liver fibrosis. They found that Dandelion remarkably improved the microscopic anatomy of the liver, decreased collagen deposition, suppression of inflammatory cytokines, and decreased oxidative stress markers. These results suggest that dandelion helps to prevent the progression of hepatic fibrosis.
Skin Health
Throughout history, Dandelion was used for a plethora of medicinal purposes, including for skin ailments. It’s believed that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nature of the herb is what helps, but more research needs to be provided. One study entitled “Psoriasis Management Using Herbal Supplementation: A Retrospective Clinical Case Study,” written by Buthaina Alkhatib et al and published in 2021 in the Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine journal aimed to investigate the effect of a mixture of traditional Jordanian herbal supplements(dandelion, olive leaf, nettle leaf, and turmeric, along with 2 capsules of milk thistle) on psoriasis treatment. Participants were instructed to follow the therapy protocol for 5 consecutive months. The psoriasis area and severity index score were calculated during pretreatment and post-treatment. They discovered that their severity index scores significantly decreased post-treatment. Additionally, another study entitled “Dandelion Extracts Protect Human Skin Fibroblasts from UVB Damage and Cellular Senescence,” written by Yafan Yang and Shuangshuang Li and published in 2015 in the Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity Journal aimed to study the effectiveness in Dandelion extracts in skin health, specifically skin photoaging. They found that both dandelion leaves and flowers have a significant skin protective effect against UVB radiation. It inhibits the oxidation of skin cells when those cells are exposed to UV rays. Additionally, it helps to stimulate antioxidant regeneration within the skin and protects your skin from the aging factors of sun exposure.
Additional Health
Benefits of Dandelion
Digestive Health
Dandelion was often used in traditional medicine to help treat constipation and improve digestive health. A recent review entitled “The potential of dandelion in the fight against gastrointestinal diseases: A review,” written by Yanni Li et al and published in 2022 in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology aimed to critically assess the current state of research and summarize the potential roles of Dandelion and its chemical constituents in gastrointestinal protection. They discovered that some in vivo and in vitro studies show Dandelion products and derived constituents exhibiting pharmacological effects against GI disorders such as: dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastritis, small intestinal ulcer, ulcerative colitis, liver diseases, gallstones, acute pancreatitis, and GI malignancy. However, research related to GI protective dandelion-derived products remains limited, so more clinical studies are required.
Heart Health
Lowering cholesterol levels is a key step to reducing the risk of heart disease. Recent studies have shown that some compounds in Dandelion may actually decrease triglyceride and cholesterol levels. In one study entitled “Phenolic Fractions from Dandelion Leaves and Petals as Modulators of the Antioxidant Status and Lipid Profile in an In Vivo Study,” written by Michał Majewski et al and published in 2020 in the MDPI: Antioxidant Journal, they aimed to examine whether dandelion fractions from leaves and petals influence triglyceride and cholesterol levels. They found that the levels were significantly reduced, confirming the potential of Dandelion as a component of functional foods that could potentially bring a range of benefits to human health.
Final Recommendations
Here are Nancy’s Dandelion recommendations from Fullscript:
There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to recommending Dandelion. The amount taken per serving and the number of times a day has differing effects on everyone. In addition, various forms of dandelion may require different doses. Because of this, Nancy recommends Booking a 15 Minute Discovery call if you’re interested in taking this wonderful herb. It’s important to consult with a registered clinical herbalist or natural health practitioner trained in clinical herbalism for more resistant and deeper set health issues. They will be able to give a more tailored suggested serving and daily frequency based on your age, gender, body weight, and any present medical conditions.
Remember to join us each month as we explore the history, personality, clinical application, and more of Nancy’s favorite plants. Get a snippet of the properties and practical uses of these herbs and how they supported the health of our ancestors as well as how they can support us in our present day.
Other Resources: