Botanical: Taraxacum officinale (WEBER)
Family: N.O. Compositae

---Synonyms---Priest's Crown. Swine's Snout.
---Parts Used---Root, leaves.

The German Commission E monograph found that Dandelion was effective for disturbances in bile flow, as a diuretic, for loss of appetite, and for dyspeptic problems.

The American Botanical Council has provided an article summarizing the supported uses of Dandelion. Dandelion root is generally considered to have diuretic, choleretic, tonic and laxative properties, among others. The herb is used for appetite and dyspeptic disorders, such as abdominal fullness and flatulence.

Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D. in his book, The Scientific Basis of Herbal Medicine states that Dandelion root “acts primarily by purifying the blood, i.e., by straining and filtering toxins and wastes from the bloodstream. Since a healthy liver is required to provide effective blood detoxification, it is important to note a study that demonstrated a liver-healing property in Dandelion, which showed that in human patients, the herb uniformly remedies chronic liver congestion (citation to study).

Feather Jones, a clinical herbalist, in her book, Medicinal Herb Handbook, states that “this is our best diuretic because it doesn’t deplete potassium, it is good for kidney inflammations.  This ‘spring tonic’ has blood cleansing effects.”  

The book, Elements of Health, describes Dandelion as a “bitter herb that cleanses the bloodstream and liver and increases the production of bile.  Used as a diuretic, improves function of the pancreas, spleen, stomach, and kidneys.” 

   A prominent herbalist, David Litell, described its primary uses to detoxify the body, and to treat flatulence.

   A prominent herbalist, Joanne Snow, explained that Dandelion acts as a tonic and as a diuretic. 

FDA has not objected to the following claims for Dandelion; “herb for kidney health”; “herb for liver health”; “supports normal liver function”; “promotes liver health”; and “used to enhance digestion, and support liver and gallbladder function . . . assists the liver and gallbladder”.  FDA has declared that Dandelion is GRAS (generally recognized as safe).

More about Dandelion by Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D.