Dandelion

What is dandelion?

Dandelion is a plant of the daisy family (Asteraceae) that is native to Europe and grows throughout temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Its flowers, leaves and root have long been used in traditional medicine in Europe, China, Mexico and North America. 1 2

Dandelion is also food. The leaves go into salads and soups, the flowers into wine, and the roasted root is used as a coffee substitute. As a supplement it is sold as capsules, powders, teas and liquid extracts. 2

Which compounds does dandelion contain?

The root contains bitter sesquiterpene lactones (such as taraxinic acid glucoside), sterols and triterpenes (such as taraxasterol and beta-sitosterol), phenolic acids including chicoric and chlorogenic acid, and inulin. Inulin content depends strongly on the season, from about 2% of the root in spring to 40% in autumn. 3

The leaves are rich in caffeic acid esters and flavonoids such as luteolin glycosides, and they contain a lot of potassium. One analysis found about 30 to 48 mg potassium per gram of dried leaf. 3

A 2026 review counted more than 380 compounds reported across the Taraxacum genus, of which 197 come from the common dandelion. 4

How is dandelion thought to work?

The EU assessment links the traditional digestive use to the bitter sesquiterpenes, which may stimulate digestive secretions and bile flow, and the diuretic use to the high potassium content and certain flavonoids. The assessors noted that no studies confirm these explanations. 3

Lab and animal studies report anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, lipid-lowering and liver-protective effects of dandelion extracts, and root extracts have killed several types of cancer cells in the lab. These findings come from cell cultures and rodents, not from people. 1 2 5

What is dandelion studied for?

NCCIH, part of the US National Institutes of Health, states that very little research exists on dandelion and that there is no compelling scientific evidence for its use for any health condition. 1

The only published human study of dandelion on its own that we found tested the leaf as a diuretic for a single day. Liver, digestion, cholesterol and blood sugar claims rest on animal and cell studies or on products that combine dandelion with other herbs. The research tab goes through each claim. 5 6 7 8

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