| Sumario: | Dandelion (Taraxacum spp) is used in many traditional and modern herbal medical systems, as particularly has been documented in Asia, Europe, and North America. The root is primarily considered a gastrointestinal remedy supporting digestion and liver function, while the leaf is used as a diuretic and bitter digestive stimulant. Preclinical research on dandelion has revealed numerous properties, including its actions as an inflammation modulator, diuretic, digestive stimulant, insulin stimulant, demulcent, prebiotic, immunomodulator, antiangiogenic, and antineoplastic, although not all studies agree. There are very limited numbers of clinical trials involving dandelion, and almost all of these involve complex herbal formulas containing dandelion as only 1 part. These formulas have been shown to counter indigestion, mildly help metabolize androgenic hormones, counter hepatitis B infection, reverse Helicobacter pylori-related gastritis, and reverse intestinal metaplasia. Overall, dandelion is very safe, although it may aggravate acute gastrointestinal inflammation. Further research is warranted on this widely-used, intriguing herbal medicine.
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