Evidence supporting the use of: Taraxacum
For the body system: Hepatic System
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3
Taraxacum, commonly known as dandelion, has a long history of traditional use for supporting the hepatic (liver) system. In various systems of traditional medicine, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, and European herbalism, dandelion root and, to a lesser extent, the leaves, have been used as "liver tonics." Historical texts and ethnobotanical records describe its use to stimulate bile flow, treat liver congestion, and support digestive health. The bitter compounds in dandelion are thought to promote bile secretion, which aids in digestion and may benefit liver function. Additionally, dandelion has been employed as a mild diuretic and for the management of conditions believed to be associated with liver dysfunction, such as skin eruptions and jaundice.
While there is a strong foundation of traditional use, scientific validation for dandelion's hepatic support remains limited. Some preclinical studies suggest that dandelion extracts may have hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, but robust human clinical trials are lacking. The evidence base is primarily historical and based on its widespread use over centuries for liver-related complaints, rather than on modern clinical research. Therefore, the justification for its use in supporting the hepatic system is grounded more in tradition than in contemporary scientific validation.
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alpha-lipoic acid
amino acids
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
andrographolide
animal protein
Antrodia camphorata
apigenin
Arginine carglumate
artichoke
baicalein
barberry
Basidiomycota
Beef liver
berberine
berry
betanin
bile acid
bile salt
bitter principals
black garlic
black seed
Boerhavia diffusa
boldo
borotutu
bovine
bovine liver
Brassica
broccoli
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
capers
capillary artemisia
carqueja
catalpol
chanca piedra
Chinese thoroughwax
chlorogenic acid
cholic acid
Coenzyme A
corilagin
cruciferous
Curcuma
curcumin
Curcuminoid
cynarin
cynaropicrin
d-glucarate
dandelion
dehydrocholic acid
dihydrolipoic acid
dihydromyricetin
dithiolthiones
DL-Methionine
Eclipta
egg
emblicanin
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
eriocitrin
ferulic acid
flavonolignan
fringetree
fungus
gallate
gamma-glutamylcysteine
ganoderma
garlic bulb
gentian root
Gentiana manshurica
Ginsenosides
glucose
Glycochenodeoxycholic acid
Glycocholic acid
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Glycyrrhizin
gooseberry
green tea
Guggulsterones
Gypenoside
herbal blend (proprietary)
hesperetin
isoliquiritigenin
isosilybin
jiaogulan
Jurubeba
kale
Kutkins
L-glutathione
L-methionine
L-ornithine
lecithin
lingzhi
liquid liver fractions
mangiferin
Maslinic acid
Matcha
Milk thistle
Monoterpenes
Mushroom
Myricetin
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Naringenin
Naringin
Niacin (vitamin B3)
Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
Nigella seed
Nobiletin
oleanolic acid
olive
ornithine L-aspartic acid
ox bile
Oxymatrine
pantethine
parsley
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
phenolic compounds
Phenylpropanoids
phosphatidylcholine
phospholipids
Phthalides
Phyllanthus
picrorhiza kurroa
Picroside
Plukenetia volubilis
Polydatin
polymethoxylated flavones
polyphenols
pu-er tea
Puerarin
pumpkin
punarnava
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
S-allylcysteine
Salvianolic acid
Schisandrins
Schizandrol A
Scoparia dulcis
Sesamin
Silybin
Silybum
Silychristin
Silydianin
silymarin
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Taraxacum
Taurochenodeoxycholic acid
Taurocholic acid
Taurodeoxycholic acid
Taxifolin
Terminalia
Terpenoids
Theabrownin
Thistle
Thymoquinone
tocotrienols
trace minerals
Trimethylglycine (TMG)
Triphala
Triterpenes
turmeric
vitamin B
Watercress
Wogonin
Xanthohumol
Xanthorrhizol
Yin Chen
Zinc