Herbs in Focus: Dandelion

Dandelions are familiar to us all. For many of us, they’re the first flowers (or weeds) of spring to arrive on our lawns. In fact, we might have noticed they’re remarkably resilient as they pop up nearly everywhere, including in sidewalks and pavement cracks.

That resiliency and their ability to grow nearly everywhere is part of what makes them appear throughout botanical and herbal history. And, long before we were fighting them on our lawns, they were being harvested for their medicinal properties.

Early herbalists recognized that one of the most interesting aspects of dandelion is that each part– dandelion root, dandelion leaf, and dandelion flower– all offer different benefits. Modern researchers are particularly interested in extracts and, truthfully, research is just beginning.

Quick Links:

• What is Dandelion?
• Dandelion Leaf vs. Dandelion Flower vs Dandelion Greens vs Dandelion Extract
• A Brief History of Dandelion in Herbal Traditions
• Dandelion Benefits
• What Is Dandelion Good For and Who Benefits?
• Choosing a High-Quality Botanical with Dandelion

What is Dandelion?

We always start with this section, but in this case, nearly all of our readers will be familiar with dandelions. But did you know it’s an herb as well as a flower and a weed? For decades, homeowners have worked to rid their lawns of dandelions, but what they're mowing down or pulling out has been valued for centuries for its medicinal and culinary uses.

Its bright yellow flower is distinctive; it’s truly one of a kind in that regard, but it’s also remarkably versatile when it comes to how it’s used in the kitchen and doctor’s office. In fact, herbalists often use every part of the plant, including dandelion leaf, dandelion root, dandelion flower, or even the whole plant at once.

Perhaps dandelion has earned its place on kitchen and medicine shelves because it’s found all over the world and, as any gardener or landscaper can tell you, grows just about anywhere. It thrives in lawns, gardens, on the side of the road, or even in a sidewalk crack.

It’s not only versatile in its usage but also quite adaptable. Its ability to establish quickly and dogged dedication to returning year after year has kept it both the bane of many landscapers and cherished as an enduring plant in herbal traditions.

One of the best parts of dandelion for those looking to get the most out of the plant is that it’s more than that familiar yellow flower. Dandelion leaf, dandelion root, dandelion greens, and dandelion extract each have distinct properties and are not interchangeable in traditional herbalism or modern botanical contexts.

Dandelion Leaf vs. Dandelion Root vs. Dandelion Flower vs Dandelion Greens vs Dandelion Extract

Dandelion is unique in that different parts of the plant have different purposes, even in botanical. While many botanicals use a single leaf or flower, dandelion uses different parts, each with its own characteristics, so they’re used differently (and sometimes together) in herbal preparations.

Dandelion Leaf

When we say dandelion leaf, we mean the mature leaves, which can be harvested from the plant.

The leaves are often dried and used in teas, capsules, tinctures, or extracts, and are specifically referred to as dandelion leaf on herbal supplement labels.

Dandelion Root

Dandelion root is a thick taproot that helps anchor the plant deep in the soil,  which is what makes it so hard to get rid of in lawns. However, it’s the part of the plant that stores energy and has a very different profile from the rest.

In fact, it’s rich in lactones, prebiotics, triterpenes, and other phytochemicals, which make it valuable in teas, capsules, extracts, and, in the kitchen, as a coffee alternative.

Dandelion Flower

Perhaps the most famous part of the plant, the bright yellow dandelion flower is actually made up of hundreds of individual florets. Much like the other parts of the plant, it has its own mix of flavonoids and compounds commonly used in infused oils, salves, teas, and kitchen recipes like syrups and jellies.

Of the three components (leaves, root, flower), it may be the least likely to appear in supplements, but is still used in other traditional herbal preparations.

Dandelion Greens

You may have heard this term used to refer to dandelion leaves harvested for food rather than as an herbal ingredient. Mature greens have a stronger flavor, whereas the young leaves are tender and less bitter.

As a food, they’re often enjoyed fresh (not dried) in salads, smoothies, vegetable dishes, soups, and more. 

Dandelion Extract

Unlike the other parts, dandelion extract is made by extracting beneficial compounds from one or more of the parts listed above.  This helps concentrate the naturally occurring compounds, creating a more consistent product for use in liquid supplements and topical solutions.

Because extracts can be made from single or multiple parts of the plant, two separate extracts may have very different chemical profiles.

Why Different Parts of Dandelion Matter

Labels on herbal products are important, and dandelion helps explain why. Different parts of the plant do different things, so a product with dandelion leaf may be quite different from one containing dandelion root or dandelion extract. It’s important to understand these differences so consumers understand what they’re taking and why. 

A Brief History of Dandelion in Herbal Traditions

Well before gardeners and landscapers were shaking their fists at the sky over the return of dandelions year after year, dandelions have been part of herbal traditions, boasting one of the longest documented histories.

As we mentioned above, it grows everywhere, even in the toughest conditions, and has multiple uses, making it a valuable staple worldwide. 

To start, dandelion has a long history throughout Europe and Asia before it even reaches the Americas. As it spread across the world, different cultures recognized that different parts of the plant could be harvested and prepared in various ways, yielding different outcomes and benefits.

Early on, herbalists recognized that not only was dandelion versatile, meaning they didn’t need to rely on a single part of the plant, but it was also very easy to identify, simple to dry and preserve, and good in both recipes and as a botanical.

This helped establish dandelion as a foundational herb in many traditions. 

Traditional Dandelion Preparations

There are several common traditional preparations for dandelion and each of its parts, including:

• Dandelion leaf teas
• Dandelion root decoctions
• Dandelion root beverages
• Dandelion greens in salads and foods
• Herbal tinctures
• Salves and oils

More recently, modern extraction methods have increased the popularity of dandelion extracts, capsules, and concentrates.

Even with new ways to manufacture dandelion remedies and botanicals, modern herbalists still know that different parts of the plant are valued for distinct characteristics, so reading the label and looking for dandelion leaf, dandelion root, or a whole-plant extract can indicate how it’s being used and the benefits you might receive.

Dandelion Benefits

Now we get into why it's important to understand the different parts of the plant, and why we want to read supplement labels to see what we’re getting! When herbalists say dandelion is too broad, they’re referring to the leaf, root, flower, or an extract.

In addition to its well-documented traditional use, modern research on dandelion is just starting to ramp up, but what researchers are finding is interesting.

Dandelion Leaf Benefits

Dandelion leaf is best known by herbalists and naturopathic doctors as a natural diuretic. It has a long history of being used, traditionally, for this and overall fluid balancing. A recent study of dandelion leaf extract seems to support this use (1).

Beyond dandelion as a natural diuretic, it’s also rich in vitamins, minerals, and other compounds including (2):

• Vitamins A, C, K
• Potassium, calcium, iron
• Flavonoids, phenolic acids, antioxidant phytochemicals
  

These benefits, of course, hold true for dandelion greens, a perfect example of food as medicine.

Dandelion Root Benefits

While the leaves are suggested for fluid balance, dandelion root has traditionally been used to support digestion and digestive wellness. 

Research has identified inulin, a prebiotic fiber, as a naturally occurring compound in dandelion root. It also contains lactones, triterpenes, and polyphenols that likely contribute to its impact on digestion (3).

In contrast, modern research has focused on dandelion root’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (4). Other recent research has looked into dandelion root extract’s impact on human colon tumor growth. However, this research has thus far focused largely on animals rather than human trials.

What About Dandelion Flower and Dandelion Extract?

Dandelion flower and dandelion extract represent two ends of the research spectrum. Dandelion flower, which also has naturally occurring plant compounds including flavonoids, carotenoids, and other antioxidants. The flower is typically used in salves and teas or in culinary preparations, but research on the flower itself is limited.

In contrast, dandelion extract has piqued the interest of researchers, in part because the extraction allows them to study standardized sources of the plant and its compounds. Dandelion leaf and whole plant extracts are currency being looked at for a variety of benefits including:

• The ability to support fluid balance: Small studies have found that dandelion leaf extract increases urinary frequency (5).
• Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties: Both whole-plant and leaf extracts have been found to possess these qualities, but as noted above, more human research is needed (6).

It’s important to note here that plant part vs whole plant and extraction method can influence the compounds and concentration, they can vary significantly. Labels matter as does understanding what’s in your herbal supplements, so check for dandelion leaf, dandelion root, or dandelion extracts (and which kind).

Given initial promising results, it’s likely that research on dandelion as well as its parts and its extract will continue, revealing more of its potential and benefits. However, one thing is clear: there is alignment between traditional herbal knowledge and modern research on the fact that which part of the dandelion is used matters.

What Is Dandelion Good For and Who Benefits?

Because different parts of the plant offer different benefits, dandelion fits into a good mix of wellness routines. From fresh greens and brewed teas to dandelion extract and herbal supplements, there are a variety of ways to incorporate this botanical.

Dandelion can be used to:

• Support healthy fluid balance and normal kidney function.
• Provide antioxidant support
• Support everyday wellness

Who May Benefit from Dandelion?

Whether you’re looking to manage fluid retention or boost your antioxidant intake, you might want to give dandelion a try. It may be a good choice for adults who want to:

• Support fluid balance as part of normal body functions
• Increase antioxidant intake
• Add nutrient-dense green to their diet
• Include traditional botanicals to support full body wellness
  

Dandelion, as both a food and herbal medicine, is fairly easy to incorporate into one’s daily routine. However, that doesn’t mean dandelion is for everyone. As with any supplement or medicine, consult your healthcare provider before including this in your diet or herbal wellness routine.

Who Should Use Caution with Dandelion?

While dandelion is generally well-tolerated by most when consumed as a food, supplements and extractions may not be appropriate for all adults.

As always, a conversation with your doctor or nurse practitioner prior to using dandelion is always recommended. However, the following individuals should be cautious:

• Those wilth allergies to plants in the asteraceae family (includes ragweed, daisies, marigolds)
• Those who already take diuretics, blood thinners, lithium or some diabetes medications (4)
• Those with kidney or gallbladder disease
• Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding (especially if you’re considering concentrated extractions)

For those considering using dandelion, it’s essential to choose the right preparation and the right part of the plant for your needs and discuss your choices with your healthcare provider.

Choosing a High-Quality Botanical with Dandelion

Not all botanical products are created alike and the same is true with dandelion. Given the differences among the preparations and parts of the plants, it’s essential to understand what you’re getting and where you’re getting it from.

Whether you’re choosing teas, capsules, tinctures, or extracts, botanical quality depends on more than the label. Sourcing, processing, and formulation all have significant impacts on the final product.

1. To start, know which part of the plant you’re buying. Quality products have clear labels that identify whether the product includes dandelion leaf, root, or extracts.
2. Consider the preparation method. Each form has it’s own place in herbal practices and may be dependent upon the part of the plant. For example, when it comes to extracts, you’ll want to learn how it was extraction as that process matters and impacts quality.
3. Evaluate the formulation. Many herbal supplement products combine dandelion with other herbs and botanicals. Limited ingredient formulations demonstrate an understanding of how different botanicals have, traditionally, been paired together. The label will reveal a lot about how thoughtful the formulation is (and how many fillers are in the product).
4. Choose quality by understanding botanical sourcing. Plant medicine starts with where the plant is grown. From the soil and growing practices to the way the plant is processed all impact the quality of the final product.

These considerations are something we, at SuperTrees Botanicals take seriously. When we created our Edema Team formulation, it was with a keen understanding of the traditional use of dandelion leaf as well as oversight from a naturopathic doctor.

The formula we developed blends botanicals designed to support healthy fluid balance. Rather than relying on a single herb here, we combine the dandelion with parsley, which shares similar qualities, while keeping the ingredients simple.

If you’re interested in exploring how dandelion might fit into a botanical formulation, and fluid balance is a concern for your overall well-being, we invite you to discover how our Edema Team can help.

Have additional questions? Our team is always here to help, so please reach out!