Evidence supporting the use of: Taraxacin
For the body system: Spleen
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Taraxacin is a bitter compound found in dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), a plant with a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine. In the context of supporting the "Spleen" body system, its use is primarily rooted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and other folk medicine systems, rather than robust scientific evidence. In TCM, the spleen is viewed as a central organ for digestion, nutrient assimilation, and energy production. Dandelion root and its bitter principle, taraxacin, have been traditionally used to "tonify" or support the spleen, as well as to stimulate appetite and improve digestion. The rationale is based on the effects of bitter substances stimulating digestive secretions and liver function, which are thought in TCM to benefit spleen health. However, there is limited direct scientific research specifically examining taraxacin’s effects on the spleen or its function according to biomedical definitions. Most available scientific studies on dandelion focus on its diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties, rather than spleen-specific actions. Thus, while taraxacin-containing dandelion has a history of traditional use for spleen support, modern scientific validation for this particular indication remains weak, and the evidence primarily reflects traditional practice rather than clinical research.
Other ingredients that support Spleen
green chirettaapple
apricot
artichoke
astragalus
myrobalan
Beta-Glucan
black garlic
blackberry
bovine liver
bovine spleen
broccoli
rice
bupleurum falcatum
catechins
catjang cowpea
cauliflower
chaga mushroom
chamomile
chen pi
collard
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
curcumin
dandelion
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
dyer’s woad root
eleuthero
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
fu ling
gardenia
garlic bulb
ginger
ginseng
glehnia root
goldenseal
gooseberry
grape
onion
green tea
Indian tinospora
iron
knotweed
jujube
kale
kelp
lemon
lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
luteolin
maitake mushroom
mango
mangosteen
moringa
oleanolic acid
ophiopogon root
orange
parsley
perilla
pollen
pomegranate
pumpkin
quinoa
raspberry
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rhizome
schizonepeta
shiitake mushroom
spinach
strawberry
triphala
almond fruit
turkey tail mushroom
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin B
seaweed
water
mulberry
red clover
jiaogulan
chickweed
oryza
tangerine
hyssop
atractylodes
mugwort
inula racemosa
pistacia integerrima gall
punarnava
tinospora cordifolia
fumaria parviflora
picrorhiza kurroa
swertia
bee pollen
peony
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
yarrow
morus
root tuber
silk tree
flowering quince
dioscorea
ganoderma
hyacinth bean
lotus seed
morinda
oriental arborvitae
tartarian aster
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
trace minerals
coix
wheat germ
noni
millet seed
algae
ashitaba
Aralia
Alpha Glucans
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Ankaflavin
Angelica
Antrodia camphorata
Auricularia
Abrus
Amomum
Albizia
Andrographolide
Asam gelugor
Astragaloside
Armillaria mellea
Alsonia scholaris
Ampelopsis
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
Alkylglycerols
Adenophora
Artemisia Anomala
Anemarrhena
Allium tuberosum
Alstonia macrophylla
Atractylone
Animal protein
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baliospermum
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
bergenin
Breadnut
Brassica
Belleric myrobalan
Beef liver
Berberis (unspecified)
Bok Choy
Baicalein
Bovine Protein
Bael
Basidiomycota
berry
Bee products
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Bupleurum
Baicalin
Cumin
Cinnamomum
Carqueja
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cucurbita
Calycosin
Coriolus mushroom
Combretum quadrangulare
Codonopsis
Capillary Artemisia
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Cantaloupe
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Cruciferous
Curcumen
Capers
Chard
Chicken
Curcuma
Carob
Chirata
Cornus
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Chinese Thoroughwax
Cephalotaxus sinensis
Ceanothus integerrimus
Chebulinic acid
Costus
Cynanchum
Danshen
Dendrobium
Dolichos
Deoxyandrographolides
Dulse
Erodium cicutarium
eggplant
Egg
Euryale seed
Emblicanin
Elkweed
Emodin
Enokitake
Flavonoids
Flammulina velutipes
Goldthread
Garlic
Lotus
Orchid
Sumac
walnut
Other body systems supported by Taraxacin
BladderDigestive System
Gall Bladder
Gastrointestinal Tract
Intestinal System
Kidneys
Liver
Spleen
Stomach
Urinary System