Dandelion
Two studies of urine output were sourced. In a 14-person crossover, dandelion root powder taken with a liter of water did not raise 4-hour urine output beyond water alone. An uncontrolled 17-person study of a leaf extract reported more frequent urination. No liver or blood sugar trials were sourced. Patch tests found allergy in 3 of 235 adults.
- Status
- Dietary supplement and food in the US. Not FDA-approved for any condition.
- Also called
- Taraxacum officinale, dandelion root, dandelion leaf, dandelion tea, dandelion extract
- Taken for
- water retention, water weight, liver health, liver detox, digestion, blood sugar
Strong several reviews agree · Moderate one review or consistent trials · Limited one or a few small studies · Untested no study in people, listed with what it rests on
Shown to help0
No benefit shown in research yet.
What people take it for, and what was found
Not shown to help1
Water retention and urine output
Small trials found no significant rise in urine output with dandelion root powder, and a leaf extract raised urination after some doses but not others.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- Over 4 hours after 1 L of water, cumulative urine output was 1,268 g with about 2.1 g of dandelion root powder and 1,164 g with water alone, a difference of 105 g (95% CI -35 to 244, p 0.13) [1]. With a fresh leaf extract, urination frequency rose in the 5 hours after the first dose (p < 0.05) and the ratio of urine to fluid intake rose after the second dose (p < 0.001). The third dose changed nothing measured [2].
- Population
- 14 physically active young adults [1]. 17 volunteers over one dosing day [2].
- Sources
- [1], [2]
- Caveats
- The root powder trial was open-label [1]. The leaf study had no control group and compared each person with their own baseline days, using self-recorded volumes [2].
Claimed, not studied in people4
Liver health
Not studied in people. Dandelion has long been used for liver disorders, and in mice on a high-fat diet a leaf extract cut fat build-up in the liver.
No study in people. This rests on animal studies, documented traditional use.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- A 2025 review notes that dandelion has historically been used for liver disorders, and found only preclinical studies of its liver effects [4]. In mice fed a high-fat diet, dandelion leaf extract reduced fat in the liver, liver weight, blood triglycerides and cholesterol compared with the high-fat diet alone [5].
- Population
- A narrative review of animal studies [4]. C57BL/6 mice [5].
- Sources
- [4], [5]
- Caveats
- The review states that clinical trials are needed to confirm any effect in people [4]. Fatty liver in diet-fed mice is a model, not a human outcome.
Liver detox
Not studied in people. In animals given liver poisons such as alcohol, carbon tetrachloride or paracetamol, dandelion extracts reduced liver damage.
No study in people. This rests on animal studies.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- A 2025 review of animal studies reports that dandelion extracts protected against liver damage caused by alcohol, carbon tetrachloride and paracetamol, and points to taraxasterol, which acts on inflammation and oxidative stress pathways [4].
- Population
- Animal models of toxic liver injury [4].
- Sources
- [4]
- Caveats
- Protecting an animal from a large dose of a poison is not the same as clearing everyday toxins in people. No human study was located [4].
Digestion
Not studied in people. The EU herbal committee accepts dandelion root with herb for mild digestive symptoms and temporary loss of appetite on the basis of long-standing use.
No study in people. This rests on documented traditional use.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- The European Union herbal monograph lists dandelion root with herb as a traditional herbal medicinal product for the relief of symptoms of mild digestive disorders, such as a feeling of fullness, flatulence and slow digestion, and temporary loss of appetite. It states the indication rests exclusively on long-standing use [6].
- Population
- A regulator's review of traditional use in the EU [6].
- Sources
- [6]
- Caveats
- Traditional use records how a herb has been used, not a measured effect. No trial of dandelion for digestion was located.
Blood sugar
Not studied in people. In mice on a high-fat diet a leaf extract lowered fasting glucose and insulin, and root extract blocked starch-digesting enzymes in the lab.
No study in people. This rests on animal studies, lab studies.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- In mice fed a high-fat diet, dandelion leaf extract lowered fasting glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR insulin resistance compared with the high-fat diet alone [5]. A water extract of dandelion root inhibited the enzymes alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase, and eased insulin resistance in liver cells grown in the lab [7].
- Population
- C57BL/6 mice [5]. Enzyme assays and HepG2 liver cells [7].
- Sources
- [5], [7]
- Caveats
- No trial of dandelion and blood sugar in people was located. Animal and cell results do not show an effect in people.
Doses studied
The root powder trial gave four capsules totaling about 2.1 g once, with 1 L of water [1]. The leaf study gave 8 mL of a fresh leaf hydroethanolic extract three times in one day [2].
Risks
Reported risks1
Skin allergy
Limited evidence: 3 of 235 adults, all with eczema, reacted to dandelion extract on patch testing.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- On patch testing, 3 of 235 adults (1.3%) reacted to dandelion extract, all of them patients with eczema. 8 (3.4%) reacted to the sesquiterpene lactone mix used to detect daisy family (Compositae) allergy [3].
- Population
- 235 adults with skin conditions and healthy volunteers in Serbia [3].
- Sources
- [3]
- Caveats
- Patch tests on skin, not reactions to taking dandelion by mouth.
Claims tested and not found
- That dandelion root increases urine output. Taken with 1 L of water, it did not raise 4-hour urine output beyond water alone [1].
Sources
- Gavin J, Caulfield C, Egan B. Co-Ingestion of a Commercially Available Dandelion Root Powder Elicited No Additional Diuretic Effect Over 4 Hr Compared to Ingestion of Water Alone in Physically Active Young Adults. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2026-0001
- Clare BA, Conroy RS, Spelman K. The diuretic effect in human subjects of an extract of Taraxacum officinale folium over a single day. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2009. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2008.0152
- Jovanović M, Poljacki M, Mimica-Dukić N, et al. Sesquiterpene lactone mix patch testing supplemented with dandelion extract in patients with allergic contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis and non-allergic chronic inflammatory skin diseases. Contact Dermatitis. 2004. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0105-1873.2004.00413.x
- Herrera Vielma F, Quiñones San Martin M, Muñoz-Carrasco N, et al. The role of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) in liver health and hepatoprotective properties. Pharmaceuticals. 2025. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18070990
- Davaatseren M, Hur HJ, Yang HJ, et al. Taraxacum official (dandelion) leaf extract alleviates high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2013.04.023
- European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products. Community herbal monograph on Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wigg., radix cum herba. EMA/HMPC/212895/2008 Corr. 1. 2011. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-taraxacum-officinale-weber-ex-wigg-radix-cum-herba_en.pdf
- Li J, Luo J, Chai Y, et al. Hypoglycemic effect of Taraxacum officinale root extract and its synergism with Radix Astragali extract. Food Science & Nutrition. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.2176