Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
This monograph compiles 4 documented constituents, 10 pharmacological actions, 14 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 20 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.
Key Constituents
Bitter principles (e.g. taraxacin) responsible for the characteristic bitterness and bitter-tonic action.
Sesquiterpene lactonesSesquiterpenes
Including taraxasterol; contribute to anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective signals.
Terpenes / terpenoidsPhytosterols
Antioxidant constituents (e.g. chicoric acid, luteolin derivatives).
Phenolic acidsFlavonoidsLuteolin
Pharmacological Actions
Antimicrobial[16]
Parts: Whole plant
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from bitter-tonic action
more plants for loss of appetite →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →inferred from digestive action
more plants for bloating →detailed sources →inferred from laxative action
more plants for constipation →detailed sources →inferred from hepatoprotective action
more plants for detox / cleansing →detailed sources →inferred from bitter-tonic action
more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →Infection (general)[16]Traditional · 1/10
inferred from antimicrobial action
more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →inferred from choleretic action
more plants for liver support →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →inferred from diuretic action
more plants for swelling / fluid retention →detailed sources →inferred from diuretic action
more plants for urinary support →detailed sources →inferred from diuretic action
more plants for urinary tract infection (uti) →detailed sources →Wounds[16]Traditional · 1/10
inferred from antimicrobial action
more plants for wounds →detailed sources →Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Allergy risk in individuals sensitive to Asteraceae (daisy family) plants such as ragweed and chamomile.
Safety note[18]Caution
Avoid medicinal use in anyone with a blocked bile duct or gallstones; use caution with gallbladder or serious liver disease.
May potentiate prescription diuretics; possible interactions with lithium and drugs metabolised by the liver.
Can accumulate soil pollutants and heavy metals; harvest from clean, unpolluted sites.
Safety note[18]Caution
Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding should be guided by a qualified practitioner. Herbal use should support, not replace, conventional medical care.
References
REF-0248, REF-0320, REF-0322, REF-0323, REF-0324, REF-0325, REF-0327, REF-0330, REF-0331, REF-0334, REF-0335, REF-0336, REF-0337References & Sources
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (n.d.) 'Dandelion identification (Taraxacum)'. Available at: https://bsbi.org/identification/taraxacum Traditional / reference
https://bsbi.org/identification/taraxacum - Farm and Dairy (2021) 'How to harvest and use dandelion roots, leaves and flowers'. Available at: https://www.farmanddairy.com/news/top-stories/how-to-harvest-and-use-dandelion-roots-leaves-and-flowers/656605.html Traditional / reference
https://www.farmanddairy.com/news/top-stories/how-to-harvest-and-use-dandelion-roots-leaves-and-flowers/656605.html - First Nature (n.d.) 'Taraxacum officinale, Dandelion: identification, distribution, habitat'. Available at: https://www.first-nature.com/flowers/taraxacum-officinale.php Traditional / reference
https://www.first-nature.com/flowers/taraxacum-officinale.php - Flora of the Southeastern United States (n.d.) 'Taraxacum officinale (Common Dandelion)'. Available at: https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/main.php?pg=show-taxon.php&plantname=taraxacum+officinale Traditional / reference
https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/main.php?pg=show-taxon.php&plantname=taraxacum+officinale - Good Grub (n.d.) 'Plant of the Month: Dandelion!'. Available at: https://www.goodgrub.org/post/plant-of-the-month-dandelion Traditional / reference
https://www.goodgrub.org/post/plant-of-the-month-dandelion - HerbaWave (2026) 'Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) – Origin, Phytochemistry, Traditional Use'. Available at: https://herbawave.com/en/learn/ingredients/dandelion Traditional / reference
https://herbawave.com/en/learn/ingredients/dandelion - Mossy Oak (2025) 'How to Forage for Dandelions'. Available at: https://www.mossyoak.com/our-obsession/blogs/recipes/how-to-forage-for-dandelions Traditional / reference
https://www.mossyoak.com/our-obsession/blogs/recipes/how-to-forage-for-dandelions - Practical Frugality (2024) 'Dandelion: Foraging Guide, Recipes & Harvesting Tips'. Available at: https://www.practicalfrugality.com/dandelion/ Traditional / reference
https://www.practicalfrugality.com/dandelion/ - Under A Tin Roof (2025) 'The Ultimate Guide to Foraging Dandelions'. Available at: https://underatinroof.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-foraging-dandelions-how-to-harvest-flowers-greens-and-roots Traditional / reference
https://underatinroof.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-foraging-dandelions-how-to-harvest-flowers-greens-and-roots - University of Massachusetts (n.d.) 'Taraxacum officinale'. Available at: https://extension.umass.edu/weed-herbarium/weeds/taraxacum-officinale/ Traditional / reference
https://extension.umass.edu/weed-herbarium/weeds/taraxacum-officinale/ - Wikipedia (n.d.) 'Taraxacum officinale'. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taraxacum_officinale Traditional / reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taraxacum_officinale - University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension (n.d.) 'Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale'. Available at: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/dandelion-taraxacum-officinale/ Traditional / reference
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/dandelion-taraxacum-officinale/ - Hao, F., Deng, X., Yu, X., Wang, W., Yan, W., Zhao, X., Wang, X., Bai, C., Wang, Z. and Han, L (2024) 'Taraxacum: A Review of Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activity', 52(1), pp. 183--215. doi:10.1142/S0192415X24500083 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X24500083 - Wu, J., Sun, J., Liu, M., Zhang, X., Kong, L., Ma, L., Jiang, S., Liu, X. and Ma, W (2024) 'Botany, Traditional Use, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Quality Control of Taraxaci Herba: A Comprehensive Review', 17(9). doi:10.3390/ph17091113 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17091113 - Sharifi-Rad, M., Roberts, T.H., Matthews, K.R., Bezerra, C.F., Morais-Braga, M.F.B., Coutinho, H.D.M., Sharopov, F., Salehi, B., Yousaf, Z., Sharifi-Rad, M., del Mar Contreras, M., Varoni, E.M., Verma, D.R., Iriti, M. and Sharifi-Rad, J (2018) 'Ethnobotany of the genus Taraxacum – Phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity', 32(11), pp. 2131--2145. doi:10.1002/ptr.6157 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6157 - Kania-Dobrowolska, M. and Baraniak, J (2022) 'Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale L.) as a Source of Biologically Active Compounds Supporting the Therapy of Co-Existing Diseases in Metabolic Syndrome', 11(18). doi:10.3390/foods11182858 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11182858 - Herbal Reality (n.d.) 'Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): Benefits, Safety, Uses'. Available at: https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/dandelion/ Traditional / reference
https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/dandelion/ - Clare, B.A., Conroy, R.S. and Spelman, K (2009) 'The diuretic effect in human subjects of an extract of Taraxacum officinale folium over a single day', 15(8), pp. 929--934. doi:10.1089/acm.2008.0152 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2008.0152 - Rodriguez-Fragoso, L., Reyes-Esparza, J., Burchiel, S.W., Herrera-Ruiz, D. and Torres, E (2007) 'Risks and benefits of commonly used herbal medicines in Mexico', 227(1), pp. 125--135. doi:10.1016/j.taap.2007.10.005 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2007.10.005
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