Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in European, Chinese, and Native American practices. It has been valued for its purported benefits on liver health, including as a "liver tonic" or for promoting bile flow. These traditional uses have sometimes been extrapolated to modern conditions such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In folk medicine, dandelion root is commonly included in formulas aimed at “detoxifying” the liver and supporting its function.

Scientifically, there is limited evidence supporting the use of dandelion specifically for fatty liver disease. Preclinical research, including a handful of animal studies, has explored dandelion extract’s potential effects on lipid metabolism and liver health. For example, some studies in rodents have shown that dandelion extract may reduce liver fat accumulation and improve markers of liver function, possibly due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, robust clinical trials in humans are lacking, and there is insufficient high-quality evidence to recommend dandelion as an effective treatment for fatty liver disease.

In summary, while dandelion is traditionally used for liver support and some preliminary scientific findings are promising, current evidence for its efficacy in fatty liver disease is weak and primarily based on tradition rather than strong scientific validation.

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