Herb Profile
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) carries an editorial Grade A rating, but the studies recorded on this profile do not demonstrate that grade.
Last reviewed: •3 sources citedReport a correctionProfile-wide ·Unassigned
Use extra caution — Avoid with Asteraceae/ragweed allergy. Details
- Evidence
- Editorial Grade Not Demonstrated By Recorded Studies
- Typical onset
- Varies by prep
- Safety rating
- High caution
- Best for
- Digestive, Diuretic, Inflammatory signaling
- Avoid / review if
- Asteraceae Allergy, Bile Duct Obstruction, Serious Kidney Disease Unless Supervised
Safety
Safety & Cautions
Avoid with Asteraceae/ragweed allergy. Caution with diuretics, lithium, kidney disease, bile duct obstruction/gallbladder disease, GERD, and antihypertensive or glucose lowering therapy.
High caution
Caution level: High. Multiple caution categories apply, or the record uses avoid/contraindication language.
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding CautionPregnancy or breastfeeding caution language is present.
Detailed safety fields
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and contraindications
- Asteraceae Allergy
- Bile Duct Obstruction
- Serious Kidney Disease Unless Supervised
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Without Clinician Review.
- Diuretics
- Lithium
- Antihypertensives
- Glucose Lowering Therapy
- Theoretical Quinolone Absorption Concern And Additive GI Irritation Possible.
Safety classifications
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Caution: Pregnancy or breastfeeding caution language is present.
Full safety note
- Avoid with Asteraceae/ragweed allergy. Caution with diuretics, lithium, kidney disease, bile duct obstruction/gallbladder disease, GERD, and antihypertensive or glucose lowering therapy.
Safety labels
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding Caution
Evidence-based safety
Caution when combined
Severity and certainty are shown separately. A high-priority caution can still be theoretical: these pairings are screened from shared contraindication mechanisms and are not automatically documented clinical interactions. Provenance identifies the source fields that produced each flag; it does not upgrade the certainty of the pairwise claim.
Moderate Caution
191 flagged pairingsBlood-sugar lowering · Blood-pressure effects
Moderate Caution
191 flagged pairingsBlood-sugar lowering · Blood-pressure effects
Representative pairings are shown below. Large mechanism groups are intentionally summarized to keep profiles focused and crawl-efficient.
Blood-sugar loweringCertainty: Theoretical
Data provenance recorded for 110 of 110 pairings in this mechanism group.
- Acarbose — Theoretical interaction certainty
- ajoene — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Allicin — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Aloe Vera — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Alpha-Lipoic Acid — Theoretical interaction certainty
- American Ginseng Extract — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Andrographis — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Anemarrhena Asphodeloides — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Tarragon — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Ashoka — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Astragalus — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Astragalus Membranaceus — Theoretical interaction certainty
+98 more pairings share this mechanism. Use the Safety Checker to review a specific combination.
Blood-pressure effectsCertainty: Theoretical
Data provenance recorded for 81 of 81 pairings in this mechanism group.
- Agmatine sulfate — Theoretical interaction certainty
- ajoene — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Allicin — Theoretical interaction certainty
- American Ginseng Extract — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Andrographis — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Angelica Dahurica — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Astaxanthin — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Astragalus Membranaceus — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Beetroot extract — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Berberis — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Bicarbonate — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Black Seed — Theoretical interaction certainty
+69 more pairings share this mechanism. Use the Safety Checker to review a specific combination.
Evidence
Evidence Summary
Evidence lens
Treat this profile as unresolved until source review is complete.
Needs reviewEditorial Grade Not Demonstrated By Recorded Studies
Human clinical evidence: Not the primary signal
Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mapped — NF KB Modulation · Nrf2 Activation
Research maturity: Theoretical / mechanistic research — Mechanistic or unresolved evidence is kept separate from established human outcomes.
Safety boundary: Safety note available — Avoid with Asteraceae/ragweed allergy.
This profile cites 3 human studies.
Study design details
Evidence Grade
Evidence grade not assigned
Evaluation of methodological rigor, population reach, and evidence alignment.
- Design Match
- Narrative review
- Risk of Bias
- High
- Consistency
- Not assessed
Strongest recorded design is a narrative review, drawn from 2 recorded studies, none of which measured an outcome in people.
How evidence grades work
Each grade reflects the strength and consistency of published human evidence — not marketing claims. Grades are based on study count, design quality, effect size, consistency, and recency.
- Strong
- Multiple RCTs, consistent direction, adequate effect size
- Moderate
- Some RCTs or consistent observational data in humans
- Preliminary / Mixed
- Animal or in-vitro only, or conflicting human data
- Traditional / Theoretical
- Traditional use only; no controlled human trials
Clinical Study Summaries (3)0 human evidence sources · 0 human trials · Participant totals not consistently reported · Consistency not yet classifiable
Filter by study class
Showing 3 of 3 studies.
What the evidence actually shows
This table contains 3 structured sources, including 0 human evidence sources; 0 are human trials.
| Study | Design | N | Dose | Duration | Population | Outcome | Result & magnitude | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scalp Seborrheic Dermatitis: What We Know So Far Leroy AK et al. · Skin Appendage Disord · 2023 Background | Narrative review Summarizes selected literature without the full prespecified search and selection methods of a systematic review. | — | — | — | — | — | — | PubMed → |
Dandelion (Taraxacum Genus): A Review of Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effects Fan M et al. · Molecules · 2023 Background | Narrative review Summarizes selected literature without the full prespecified search and selection methods of a systematic review. | — | — | — | — | — | — | PubMed → |
Anti-Inflammatory Effects and Mechanisms of Dandelion in RAW264.7 Macrophages and Zebrafish Larvae Li W et al. · Front Pharmacol · 2022 Background | Other / unclear The study design is not yet classified clearly enough to infer its place in the evidence hierarchy. | — | — | — | — | — | — | PubMed → |
Dosing & Timing
- No standardized dose
- Preparation specific; use standardized product label for Preparation varies by tradition and product form and require source backed dosage review before therapeutic claims.
How Dandelion works
Simplified mechanism pathway based on preclinical and pharmacological evidence. Does not confirm clinical efficacy.
Mechanism Pathway — How Dandelion Works
CompoundTarget / ReceptorMechanismEffect / Outcome
Mechanisms & biological pathways (preclinical)
- NF KB Modulation
- Nrf2 Activation
Compare related active botanicals
Explore botanicals with similar chemistry, effects, or safety considerations in the Botanical Activity Atlas.
Compare & Sourcing
Compare side-by-side tradeoffs or verify active marker guidelines.
Sourcing options
Dandelion product picks
Recommendation status
Product recommendations are not shown for this profile because the current site safety and monetization policy does not permit them.
Product form & quality guidelines
When sourcing Dandelion, verify the label for:
- Standardized extract: Confirm active content percentages on the supplement facts panel (e.g. standardized to specific marker compounds) rather than simple raw herb weights.
- Third-party testing: Look for independent purity labels (USP, NSF, ConsumerLab, or Eurofins) to ensure the product is free from heavy metals, solvents, and contaminants.
- Form bioavailability: Ensure the form matches evidence-supported configurations (e.g. standardized active extracts like bacosides, withanolides, or curcuminoids) for optimal onset and digestion tolerance.
Safety first · Harm reduction
This information is educational and not medical advice. Start low, avoid risky combinations, and consult a licensed clinician before making health decisions—especially if you use medications, have diagnosed conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding.
Learn how we evaluate confidence, safety, and intensity on the methodology page.
Founder & Head Researcher · Oak Ridge, TN · Last reviewed August 2026
Editorial Review
Checked against primary sources, cited evidence, and contraindication language before publication. Evidence claims, safety language, and affiliate modules are reviewed independently. Not personal medical advice.
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