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Sources and physiological effects

Dietary sources
The common dandelion (Taraxacum) is a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae). Originally from Western Asia and Europe, it is now widespread throughout the northern hemisphere. Due to its high content of bitter substances, it is valued in traditional herbal medicine for its digestive effect. In foods, dandelion is found in the form of honey and honey-like syrup. Young leaves are also used for salads.
Physiological effects
Liver metabolism	Excitation of bile production Promotion of bile elimination Anticarcinogenic effect on liver cells

Detailed information

Dandelion- bitter substances with biliary effects

Taraxacum officinale is one of the phytodrugs in which strong choleretic (bile-forming) and cholagogic (bile-draining) effects have been demonstrated. The bitter component stimulate gastrin, bile and pancreas secretion, which generally stimulates and promotes digestive processes (1). Dandelion also shows inhibitory effects on liver tumor cells and an increase in tumor necrosis factor (2) (3).

Indications

Effect	Indication	Dosage
Physiological effects at a low intake	Support of digestive processes	150 mg/d
	To stimulate bile flow for dyspeptic symptoms and to stimulate excitation of pancreatic secretion	300 - 450 mg/d
	Therapeutic for dyseptic symptom complex	300 - 450 mg/d

Administration

General mode of administration
When	Dandelion extract should be taken between meals. Notes: To stimulate bile secretion, dandelion extract should be taken 1 hour before meals.
Side effects
No side effects are known to date.
Contraindications
No contraindications are known to date.

Interactions

Drug interactions
None	No interactions are known to date.
Nutrient interactions
None	No interactions are known to date.

References

1) Wagner, H., Wiesenauer, M. 2003. Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und pflanzliche Homöopathika.
2) Koo, H. N. et al. 2004. Taraxacum officinale induces cytotoxicity through TNF-alpha and IL-1alpha secretion in Hep G2 cells. Life Sci. 74(9):1149-57.
3) Yoon, J. et al. 2015. Novel TRAIL sensitizer Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis in Huh7 cells. Molecular Carcinogenesis. 55(4):387-396.

References Interactions
Stargrove, M. B. et al. Herb, Nutrient and Drug Interactions: Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Strategies, 1. Auflage. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2008.
Gröber, U. Mikronährstoffe: Metabolic Tuning –Prävention –Therapie, 3. Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2011.
Gröber, U. Arzneimittel und Mikronährstoffe: Medikationsorientierte Supplementierung, 3. aktualisierte und erweiterte Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2014.