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Limited evidenceGut health

Dandelion Root

A bitter, inulin-rich root sold for liver 'detox' and water retention with essentially no supporting human trials — the single clinical diuretic study used the leaf, not the root, in 17 people with no control group.

What the science says

  • Diuretic effect Limited evidence

    The only human study is a 2009 pilot in 17 volunteers using a fresh-leaf hydroethanolic extract at 8 mL three times in one day. Urination frequency rose significantly in the 5 hours after the first dose and the excretion ratio rose after the second — but the third dose changed nothing, there was no placebo arm, and the study used leaf, not root. Root products cannot claim this result.

  • Liver support and 'detox' Limited evidence

    Every hepatoprotective finding for Taraxacum comes from rodent models of chemically induced liver injury or from cell culture. There is no clinical trial showing that dandelion root changes liver enzymes, bile flow, or any clinical outcome in humans. Comprehensive reviews of the genus consistently list liver activity as preclinical and call for human studies.

  • Prebiotic fibre from inulin Limited evidence

    Dried dandelion root is genuinely rich in inulin — commonly cited at roughly 12-40% by dry weight depending on harvest season. But bifidogenic trials of inulin use 3-5 g/day, meaning you would need around 10-25 g of root powder to get there. A typical 500 mg capsule delivers well under a tenth of a gram of inulin, which is nutritionally irrelevant. Roasted dandelion 'coffee' made from several grams of root is closer to meaningful.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseTraditional herbal use is 2-8 g of dried root three times daily as a decoction, or 250-1000 mg of extract in capsules. The single human diuretic study used 8 mL of a fresh leaf hydroethanolic extract three times over one day. No dose has been validated for any specific outcome.
SafetyDandelion is an Asteraceae member: people allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemum, marigold or daisies can react, and its sesquiterpene lactones are a documented cause of allergic contact dermatitis in handlers. Avoid with bile duct obstruction, active gallstones, or acute cholecystitis — the bitter cholagogue action is the wrong direction there. The root is relatively high in oxalate and potassium: relevant if you have calcium oxalate stones or take potassium-sparing diuretics or ACE inhibitors. Theoretical additive effects with prescription diuretics and reduced lithium clearance. Not banned in sport.

Scientific references

Where to buy

Vitamatic, Milk Thistle + Dandelion Root, 180 Vegetarian Capsules

View on iHerb

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