Dandelion (Root & Leaf)
The garden weed that's a long-time European liver herb and gentle natural diuretic. Cheap, easy, mild — quietly useful.
Moderate for diuresis (leaf), liver support / bile flow (root), digestive complaints. Effects: hours to weeks.
Taraxacum officinale leaf and root have been used in European folk medicine for centuries — leaf for diuresis, root for liver and digestive support. Modern research is modest but supportive: leaf has genuine diuretic activity (probably stronger than most herbal diuretics), and root stimulates bile flow and supports liver detoxification. High in potassium (unusual among diuretics — doesn't deplete K+). Often used as tea or in combinations with milk thistle and artichoke for liver protocols.
- Form
- Dandelion root tincture or capsule (liver), dandelion leaf tea or extract (diuretic). Roasted dandelion root as coffee substitute.
- Dose
- Leaf: 4–10 g/day or 5–10 mL tincture. Root: 2–8 g/day or 5–10 mL tincture.
- Timing
- Anytime. Leaf for diuresis often AM.
- Schedule
- Daily or as-needed.
- Side effects
- Generally well-tolerated. Mild GI upset, allergic reactions in those allergic to Asteraceae family.
- Interactions
- Diuretics, lithium — additive diuretic effect. Anticoagulants — mild. Diabetes medications — mild glucose lowering.
- Contraindications
- Bile duct obstruction (root form). Asteraceae allergy. Pregnancy (high doses).
- Lab markers
- Liver enzymes if monitoring liver effects.
- Food sources
- Dandelion greens are edible and bitter, used in salads and traditional dishes. Roasted root is a caffeine-free coffee alternative.
Pairs with
Milk thistle, artichoke, TUDCA (liver / detox stack).
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