Generic Name: Taraxacum officinale
Brand Names: Dandelion, Blowball, Lion's Teeth
Drug Class: Herbal Supplements
What is dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), and what is it used for?
Taraxacum officinale, or the common dandelion, is a plant. The above ground parts of the dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) are used as natural herbal supplements and for many conditions, including pain management, reducing swelling, and increasing urine production. There is little evidence that it is effective for any condition.
Taraxacum officinale contains chemicals that may increase urine production and decrease pain and swelling. Check with your health care professional before using herbs or herbal supplements.
Warnings
- While Taraxacum officinale is used as an herbal supplement, it may still cause drug interactions with other drugs or supplements. Always seek your doctor's advice before taking Taraxacum officinale or any other drug or supplement.
- Do no administer to children under the age of 18 because its safety has not been established in children.
What are the side effects of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)?
Side effects of Taraxacum officinale include:
- abdominal discomfort,
- diarrhea,
- heartburn,
- increased heart rate,
- bruising and bleeding,
- excessive urination, and
- increased potassium levels (hyperkalemia).
What is the dosage for dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)?
- There is no established dosing. Follow the manufacturers recommendation for each product.
- Safe and effective use of Taraxacum officinale supplement is not established for individuals under the age of 18.
What drugs interact with dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)?
- Taraxacum officinale should be used with caution with quinolone antibiotics like ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), and moxifloxacin (Avelox) because it may reduce the absorption of these antibiotics and may decrease their effectiveness. Check with your doctor before using this herbal product.
- Taraxacum officinale may reduce the breakdown of some drugs by the liver, increasing blood levels of these drugs. Some examples include propranolol (Inderal), amitriptyline (Elavil), haloperidol (Haldol), and ondansetron (Zofran).
- Taraxacum officinale contains potassium. If combined with potassium sparring diuretics (water pills) such as spironolactone (Alkdactone) there may be significant increases in blood potassium levels.
- Taraxacum officinale may increase urine production, so it may affect how lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid) may be removed from the body. Increased urine production can slow down lithium removal from the body, leading to increased lithium levels. Adjustments in lithium dose may be required.
- Taraxacum officinale may slow down blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Therefore, Taraxacum officinale should be used with caution with medications like aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel (Plavix), enoxaparin (Lovenox), diclofenac (Voltaren), ibuprofen (Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn).
SLIDESHOW
Foods That Aren't as Healthy as You Think See SlideshowPregnancy and breastfeeding
- It is not known if Taraxacum officinale is safe to use in pregnant women. Consult with your doctor before taking Taraxacum officinale if you are pregnant.
- It is not known whether Taraxacum officinale enters breast milk. It should be avoided by nursing mothers to avoid harm to the newborn.
What else should I know about dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)?
What preparations of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) are available?
- Taraxacum officinale is available as capsules, liquid extract, and tea forms. Concentration of Taraxacum officinale may vary from product-to-product due to multiple manufacturers producing various products. Products that contain Taraxacum officinale also contain other herbs.
How should I keep dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) stored?
- Due to multiple manufacturers making different forms of Taraxacum officinale, storage requirements may vary based on individual manufacturer practices.
Health News
- 5,000+ Measles Cases Threaten Canada’s Elimination Status
- Home Exercises Ease Knee Arthritis Pain
- Puberty: The Signs, Stages & When to See a Doctor
- Medical Debt May Soon Return to Credit Reports
- Sitting For Long Periods? Sip Cocoa Or Munch Berries To Protect Heart Health, Experts Say
More Health News »
Summary
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale, Blowball, Lion's Teeth) is used as an herbal supplement used for many conditions, including pain management, reducing swelling, and increasing urine production. Side effects of Taraxacum officinale include abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, heartburn, increased heart rate, bruising and bleeding, excessive urination, and increased potassium levels (hyperkalemia). Do not administer Taraxacum officinal to children. Avoid use if breastfeeding. Consult your doctor if pregnant or taking any other drugs or supplements.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
-
Vitamins and Supplements: What to Know Before You Take Herbal SupplementsNot all herbs and supplements are safe, especially if you have certain medical conditions or take some drugs. Find out which ones...
-
Vitamins and Supplements: What Can You Take to Fight Inflammation?Arthritis, intense exercise, and sugary or fatty foods are some of the things that can lead to inflammation. Here’s what you can...
-
Arthritis: Everyday Habits to Ease InflammationChronic inflammation harms your body and raises risk of disease. These everyday lifestyle changes can help lower it.
-
Pain Management: Why Knees HurtYour knees have lots of parts, and you use them a lot, so there's plenty that could go wrong. WebMD explains common things that...
-
Omega 3 Foods: Health Benefits, Research, Best SupplementsWhat does research say are the best omega 3 supplements? What are the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids? Learn how Omega 3 rich...
-
Pain Management: Signs Your Muscle Pain Is Something ElseCould your achy muscles be a sign of more than a tough workout? Learn when a twinge might warrant a visit to the doctor's office.
-
Supplement Smarts: Best Ways to Take Different VitaminsTaking a vitamin supplement to cover your nutritional bases? Find out how and when to take it so your body gets the most from it.
-
Pain Management: Knee Pain Dos and Don'tsYour knees go through a lot in the course of a day, and sometimes they can run into trouble. Here are a few things you can do...
-
Pain Management: 15 Easy Ways to Reduce Chronic PainChronic pain can be a symptom of many conditions, including arthritis, headaches, and others. Comprehensive chronic pain...
-
Vitamins and Supplements: Signs You're Low on Vitamin B12Your body needs vitamin B12 to keep blood cells healthy and to make your nerves work right. But what happens when you run low?
-
Vitamins and Supplements: Signs You're Low on Vitamin CWorried you're coming up short on vitamin C? Here are some telltale symptoms to watch out for.
-
Lower Back Pain: Symptoms, Stretches, Exercise for Pain ReliefDo you suffer from low back pain? Learn more about common triggers of lower back pain like posture, exercise, and spondylosis....
-
Back Pain: 16 Back Pain Truths and MythsBack pain conditions are very common. Learn the causes of upper and lower back pain. Find the truth and get the facts behind back...
-
Pain Management: Surprising Causes of PainWhat's causing your pain? Learn the common causes of lower back pain, as well as pain in the knee, stomach, kidney, shoulder,...
-
Vitamins and Supplements: Test Your Medical IQTake the Vitamins & Supplements Quiz to learn just how many essential vitamins your body needs to function!
-
Back Pain Quiz: Test Your Back Pain IQThere are numerous causes of chronic lower back pain and only one ailment gets more complaints. What is it? Quiz your knowledge...
-
Vitamin D Quiz: Test Your IQ of Dietary SupplementsWhat happens to the body when there is a vitamin D deficiency? Take the Vitamin D Quiz to find out what you may be missing.
-
Arthritis: Supplements for Joint PainCan supplements help relieve joint pain and swelling? Find out how certain compounds may aid your stiff, tender joints.
-
Pain Management: All About CBD OilCannabidiol oil: It's made from marijuana and everyone seems to be talking about it. But what is it, and what does it really do?
-
Vitamins and Supplements: Foods High in Vitamin DVitamin D is important for your bones, blood cells, and immune system -- your body's defense against germs. Find out which foods...
-
Pain Management: Visual Guide to Frozen ShoulderIt's got nothing to do with cold weather. It means your shoulder is jammed up. WebMD guides you through the causes of frozen...
-
Chronic Pain Syndrome: Treatment and Management for CPSDo you suffer from excruciating pain? What is chronic pain syndrome (CPS)? See causes, symptoms and treatment options, including...
-
Vitamins and Supplements: Getting Enough A, B, C, D, E, and Omega-3 in Your Diet?If you feel like something is a little off, but you're not sure exactly what, you may not be getting enough of some key vitamins...
-
Pain Management: Why Does My Calf Muscle Hurt?There's a group of muscles on the back of each lower leg that doctors call "calf muscles." They play a key role in helping you...
-
Pain Management: One-Move Fixes for Pain and StressA quick stretch, yoga pose, or on-the-spot exercise can help fix sudden aches from head to toe. Learn how to quash pain with just...
-
Vitamins and Supplements: 9 Ways to Get Vitamin KIt may not get as much attention as other nutrients, but vitamin K helps your blood clot and your bones grow. WebMD shows you how...
-
Sleep Disorders: Natural Sleep Aids & SupplementsLots of people turn to these drug-free herbal remedies for a better night's rest. Learn about some of the most popular natural...
-
Women's Health: 11 Supplements for Menopause11 supplements and herbs for hot flashes and other menopause symptoms are shown in this slideshow from WebMD.
-
How Does Acupuncture Work? Benefits, Needles, DefinitionWhat is acupuncture? How does acupuncture work? Does acupuncture hurt? Learn various acupuncture points, the definition of...
-
Pain Management: All About Your KneesThey do their job so well that you might take them for granted. Learn how they're put together, what can go wrong with them, and...
-
12 Myths About Your Hangover SlideshowLearn ways to avoid a hangover, create morning-after remedies, and other widely held hangover beliefs.
-
Vitamins and Supplements: 12 Eucalyptus Oil Benefits and UsesEucalyptus oil is a hardworking essential oil with a wide range of uses, from bug spray, to household cleaner, to pre-op calmer,...
-
What Vitamins and Supplements Should I Take to Increase Fertility?What to know about fertility and increase chances of getting pregnant. Learn how the benefits of folic acid, B12, zinc, and other...
-
Vitamins and Supplements: The Truth About Activated CharcoalActivated charcoal is in food and toothpaste, drinks and supplements. It promises to remove odors, ease gas, clean teeth, and...
-
Pain Management: Ergonomic Tips for a Home OfficeAre you working at home? Find out how to set up a workspace to prevent stiffness, protect your muscles and joints, and avoid...
Related Disease Conditions
-
What Are the Benefits and Risks of Taking Amino Acid Supplements?Learn whether taking amino acids is of a greater benefit or risk to your overall health. Amino acids are building blocks of protein. The amino acids come together to form proteins.
-
What Supplements Are Good for Female Libido?Female sexual desire is a complex phenomenon governed by emotional and psychological factors, as well as hormones. The majority of female-enhancement products comprise a combination of natural herbs, minerals, and vitamins.
-
Intestinal GasIntestinal gas and painful bloating are common. Learn about what causes gas pain and how eliminating certain foods from your diet can help relieve symptoms.
-
CancerCancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
-
Vitamins and Calcium SupplementsVitamins are organic substances that are essential for the proper growth and functioning of the body. Calcium is a mineral essential for healthy bones and is also important for muscle contraction, heart action, and normal blood clotting. Check out the center below for more medical references on vitamins and calcium supplements, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.
-
GallstonesGallstones are stones that form when substances in the bile harden. Gallstones (formed in the gallbladder) can be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. There can be just one large stone, hundreds of tiny stones, or any combination. The majority of gallstones do not cause signs or symptoms; however, when they do occur the primary sign is biliary colic. Symptoms of biliary colic are constant pain for 15 minutes to 4-5 hours, and it may vary in intensity; nausea, severe pain that does not worsen with movement; and pain beneath the sternum. Treatment of gallstones depends upon the patient and the clinical situation.
-
Arthritis (Joint Inflammation)Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness and pain. There are over 100 types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and gout.
-
Pain ManagementThe goal of pain management for each patient is to minimize suffering and improve quality of life. This goal may be different depending on the patient’s circumstances and disease or injury.
-
How Do I Reduce Inflammation in My Body?A healthy, anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle can be a powerful weapon against all signs of inflammation.
-
What Do You Do When Pain Management Doesn't Work?If you suffer from chronic pain, it can be frustrating when your pain medications are no longer effective. Here is what you can do when pain management doesn’t work.
-
What Are the 10 Classic Signs of Inflammation in the Body?The 10 classic signs of inflammation in the body are heat, affected function of the infected body part, redness, swelling, pain, fatigue, joint pain, fever, chest and abdominal pain, and skin rash.
-
Sacroiliac (SI) Joint PainSacroiliac (SI) joint pain is a general term to reflect pain in the SI joints. Causes of SI joint pain include osteoarthritis, abnormal walking pattern, and disorders that can cause SI joint inflammation including gout, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Treatment includes oral medications, cortisone injections, and surgery.
-
How Can I Reduce Swelling from Thyroid Eye?Thyroid eye disease, also known as Graves’ eye disease, is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the fat and muscle tissue within the eye socket, causing inflammation.
-
Are Collagen Supplements Good for You?Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins found in humans and animals. It includes various structural proteins found in the skin, muscles, and bones. Collagen is essential for maintaining the health of skin, muscles, joints, and tendons.
-
What Vitamins and Supplements Should I Avoid During Pregnancy?You should always clear it with your obstetrician before taking any vitamins or supplements while pregnant.
-
How Long Do Hair Supplements Take to Work?Hair growth vitamins or herbal supplements are often used to promote healthy hair growth and regrowth. Taking hair growth supplements does not produce results overnight; it usually takes a long time (one to five years) to see results.
-
Cancer PainCancer pain is a common experience that may result from the disease, treatment, or diagnostic procedure. Check out the center below for more medical references on cancer, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.
-
Pain Management: Neuropathic PainNeuropathic pain is chronic pain resulting from injury to the nervous system. The injury can be to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) or the peripheral nervous system (nerves outside the brain and spinal cord).
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Drugs: The Most Common Medication Errors
- Medication Disposal
- Phen-Fen - Beware Of Herbal Varieties
- Pain Management Over-The-Counter
- Myositis Muscle (Pain and Inflammation) Serious Drug Interactions
- Dietary Supplements Can Cause Liver Damage
- Drugs: Buying Prescription Drugs Online Safely
- Should You Exercise with Gout Inflammation?
- Should I Take Protein Supplements After Exercise?
- Should I Take Fat Burning Supplements?
- What Is the Best Calcium Supplement?
- Do Fish Oil Supplements Cure Dry Skin?
- Evaluating Treatments and Supplements
- Generic Drugs, Are They as Good as Brand-Names?
Medications & Supplements
- niacin (supplement) - oral, Slo-Niacin
- Iron Supplements
- MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) Dietary Supplement
- potassium chloride; K-Dur, KLor Con, K-Tab, Kaon CL, Klorvess, Slow-K, Ten-K, Klotrix, K-Lyte CL
- calcium supplements - oral
- magnesium supplement - oral, Uro-Mag
- calcium supplement/vitamin d - oral, Citracal + D, Os-Cal, Oyster S
- potassium supplement effervescent tablet- oral
- potassium supplements-injection
Prevention & Wellness
- Vitamins, Minerals and Nutritional Supplements
- Is It Safe to Take Potassium Supplements Daily?
- What Are the Best Supplements for COPD?
- What Are Cranberry Supplements?
- 20 Vitamins and Supplements to Boost Immune Health for COVID-19
- Do Nitric Oxide Supplements Really Work?
- Is a Vitamin D Supplement as Good as Sunlight?
- Are Omega-3 Supplements as Good as Eating Fish?
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
MedlinePlus. Dandelion.
NIH. Dandelion.