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Herbs & Supplements
Wild Endive
Scientific Name: Dandelion
Other Names: Blowball, Canker Wort, Irish Daisy, Leotodon taraxacum, Lion's Tooth, Puffball, Taraxacum officinale
When should I be careful taking it?
Dandelion contains chemicals that stimulate the production of bile, a digestive juice which is stored in the gallbladder. Increased amounts of bile may be irritating to gallbladder tissue. Therefore, dandelion root should not be used by individuals with gallstones or other gallbladder complaints. It should also be avoided by individuals who have ever had obstructed bile ducts.
Dandelion may increase stomach acid production, so it should not be taken by individuals with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, or ulcers.
Individuals with diabetes should take dandelion with caution and monitor their blood sugar levels carefully to avoid hypoglycemia (blood sugar that is too low). Symptoms of hypoglycemia may include shakiness, sweating, confusion, distorted speech, and loss of muscle control. If not corrected, hypoglycemia can lead to unconsciousness and even death.
Precautions
The safety of oral dandelion preparations for pregnant or breast-feeding women has not been studied, but using it in moderate amounts is generally considered to be safe.
When handled, the chemicals in dandelion may cause skin irritation for individuals who are sensitive to it. In at least one study conducted in animals, dandelion was found to be only mildly irritating to skin, but several human case reports of more serious contact dermatitis from handling dandelion plants have been published. Individuals who are sensitive to plants in the daisy family may also be sensitive to dandelion.
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Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.
This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.
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When should I be careful taking it? 
