Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale

WHAT DOES DANDELION CONTAIN?
Dandelion contains taraxacine-A (1), taraxacine-B (2) and taraxafolin (3)
together with twenty-five known compounds, which include two
beta-carboline alkaloids, two indole alkaloids, two chlorophylls, two
flavonoids, one coumarin, two triterpenoids, one monoterpenoid, one
ionone, four steroids, eight benzenoids, iron, silicon, magnesium, zinc,
vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin C, and various B vitamins [1, 2, 7].

Dandelion compounds increase bile production and flow [4]. Some people
thought that the increased bile flow might improve cholesterol
metabolism.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF DANDELION?

Is dandelion safe? Probably, it is safe; it has been used as supplements
for many years. Dandelion is on FDA's GRAS list and approved for use as
a food flavoring in many other countries.

However, it may have effect on bile secretion, people with gallstones or
other related diseases should avoid using dandelion leaf and root [5].

Dandelion may cause allergy to certain people [6].People who are allergic
to chamomile, yarrow or other related plants should use dandelion with
caution.

If you are taking lithium, insulin, anti-coagulation, anti-diuretic or
blood-sugar controlling agents, you should consult with your doctor
before using dandelion.

WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF
DANDELION?

Dandelion may have benefits on various diseases and conditions,
especially cancer; research finds.

Water Retention Dandelion leaves have been shown to have a mild
diuretic effect. Thus, it may benefit people suffered from mild fluid
retention, such as in PMS. [12] However, the related study is very limited.

Liver cancer Koo HN et al from Kyung Hee University, South Korea,
investigated the effect of Taraxacum officinale (TO) on the cytotoxicity
and production of cytokines in human hepatoma cell line, Hep G2. Their
results indicated that TO decreased the cell viability by 26%, and
significantly increased the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and
interleukin (IL)-1alpha production. And also, they found that TO strongly
induced apoptosis of Hep G2 cells. [7]

Leukemia Choi JH et al from Kyung-Hee University, Korea, elucidated the
active moiety of a sesquiterpene lactone, taraxinic
acid-1'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1). from Taraxacum coreanum NAKAI
on the cytotoxicity of various cancer cells. Based on enzymatic hydrolysis
and various experimental work, they suggested that taraxinic acid
induces the differentiation of human leukemia cells to
monocyte/macrophage lineage. Moreover, the expression level of c-myc
was down-regulated during taraxinic acid-dependent HL-60 cell
differentiation, whereas p21(CIP1) and p27(KIP1) were up-regulated.
Therefore, taraxinic acid may have potential as a therapeutic agent in
human leukemia. [8]

Lipid Metabolism Cho SY et al from Yeungnam University, South Korea,
found that Dandelion water extract lowered the hepatic malondialdehyde
concentration in the diabetic-induced rats. The DWE supplement also
lowered the total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the serum
and hepatic tissue, while increasing the serum HDL-cholesterol in the
diabetic rats. [9]

Atopic Dermatits Jovanovic M et al, University of Novi Sad, Serbia and
Montenegro, investigated the value of patch testing with dandelion
(Composite) extract in addition to sesquiterpene lactone (SL) mix in
selected patients. Overall prevalence of 4.7% in their study represents a
basal SL mix detection rate of 3.4% reinforced and safely supplemented
by testing with the dandelion extract. [10]

Anti-coagulation Yun SI et al from University of Ulsan, Korea, purified an
anti-coagulant from  Taraxacum platycarpum. This anti-coagulant
inhibited thrombin and kallikrein, but did not hydrolyze fibrinogen. The
protein bound the anion-binding exosite of thrombin, competing with the
fibrinogen binding site. [11]  WARNING This can be a serious side
effects for users who have coagulation issues. Consult with your doctor
before use.

Without much scientific supports, dandelion root is considered as a "liver
tonic", i.e. a substance to support the liver, or even a "detoxifier" to
clean out the liver and gallbladder. [13] Based on this hypothesis, people
believe that it can reduce the side effects of certain medications on liver.
And some authors claim that dandelion root can stimulate the bile flow in
some studies. [14-16] And, some suppliers suggest that it improves
appetite and treat minor digestive disorders and constipation.

References

1. Wichtl M. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1994, 486-9. 2. Bradley PR (ed). British
Herbal Compendium, Vol 1. Bournemouth, Dorset, UK: British Herbal Medicine
Association, 1992, 73-5. 3. Racz-Kotilla E, Racz G, Solomon A. Planta Med
1974:26:212-7. 4. Böhm K. Arzneimittelforschung 1959;9:376-8.
5. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete Commission
E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative
Medicine Communications, 1998, 118-20. 6. Gay-Crosier F, Schreiber G, Hauser C.
N Engl J Med 2000;342:1372 [letter]. 7. Leu YL, Shi LS, Damu AG, Chem Pharm
Bull (Tokyo). 2003 May;51(5):599-601[7] Life Sci. 2004 Jan 16;74(9):1149-57.]
[8] Biol Pharm Bull. 2002 Nov;25(11):1446-50][9] Clin Chim Acta. 2002
Mar;317(1-2):109-17]. [10] Contact Dermatitis. 2004 Sep;51(3):101-10]. [11]
[Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2002 Sep;66(9):1859-64] [12] Racz-Kotilla E et al,
The action of Taraxacum officinale extracts on the body weight and diureses of
laboratory animals. Planta Med 1974;26:212-217. [13] Murray MT. The Healing
Power of Herbs: The Enlightened Person's Guide to the Wonders of Medicinal
Plants. 2nd ed. Rocklin, Calif: Prima Publishing; 1995. [14-16] Susnik F The
present state of knowledge about the medicinal plant Taraxacum officinale Weber
Med Razgl 1982;21:323-328. European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy.
Taraxaci radix (dandelion) Exeter, UK: ESCOP; 1996-1997:2. Mongraphs on the
Medicinal Uses of Plant Drugs, Fascicule 2. Bohm VK Studies on the choleretic
action of some drugs Arzneimittelforschung 1959;9:376-378.


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ZHION
Dandelion Benefits & Side Effects                            
zhion@zhion.com               
Dandelion grows
almost everywhere
in the world. In this
picture, a small
wild bee visiting a
dandelion is often
attracted by salty
sweat on hot days.

Photo by Scott
Baucer CDC
What are the health benefits of dandelion? Dandelion is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Its leaves and root
may have health benefits on liver, gallbladder, kidney and joint. Some suppliers promote it as a blood purifier.