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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
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Uses
Currently, dandelion is used very little in Western herbal medicine. In the past and in other parts of the world, however, its flowers, leaves, and roots have been taken orally to treat a number of conditions that include arthritis, cancer, diabetes, gout, liver ailments, heartburn, and rheumatism. Some evidence from case reports suggests that the roots of dandelion may have weak diuretic and laxative properties, which means that they may slightly increase the loss of urine and solid waste from the body. In a study conducted more than 40 years ago, high doses of dandelion leaf increased urination in laboratory mice. Due to this possible ability to increase water elimination from the body, dandelion root occasionally has been promoted for weight loss. On the other hand, dandelion leaves have been used to stimulate the appetite and improve digestion because their bitter taste encourages saliva and gastric juice secretions. No human studies have been conducted to either support or challenge any of these findings, however.
In laboratory animals, dandelion has been tested for lowering both blood sugar levels and blood cholesterol levels. Although one laboratory study showed potential ability for dandelion to increase the production of insulin, results are inconclusive for its actual effect on blood sugar. In one study, when rabbits that were not diabetic were given dandelion, a slight decrease in blood sugar levels was seen. Other studies found no effect on blood sugar in either diabetic or non-diabetic animals. A separate study found that an extract of dandelion lowered "bad" forms of cholesterol including triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) while increasing the "good" cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in laboratory rats with artificially-induced diabetes. Much more research, including studies with humans, is needed before dandelion can be recommended for treating diabetes or high cholesterol.
Currently, topical use of dandelion is not common. It may have some anti-inflammatory effects, however. In the past, it has been used for treating bruises and other minor skin conditions. In folk medicine, warts are sometimes treated with juice made by crushing the leaves of the dandelion plant.
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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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