Dandelion Tea & Supplements: Health Benefits and Safety

Answer:

Traditionally, dandelion leaves have been consumed as a green in salads, and its leaves and roots prepared as a tea, used a diuretic, as well as a purported remedy for a wide range of illnesses, including gout, arthritis, liver disease, and cancer (Fan, Molecules 2023). Drinking dandelion tea is often promoted as a way to "detox," or eliminate harmful substances from the body. Unfortunately, as we discuss, there is little clinical evidence to support any of these uses.

Dandelion nutritional value

Dandelions contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals, and other nutrients. One cup of raw dandelion greens provides significant amounts of vitamins A (5,610 IU), vitamin K (428 mcg), potassium (218 mg), and calcium (103 mg), as well as smaller amounts of vitamin C (19 mg), folate (14.8 mcg folate, DFE), vitamin E (1.89 mg), magnesium (19.8 mg), iron (1.7 mg), and lutein and zeaxanthin (7.5 mg) (USDA 2019). Dandelion leaves also contain numerous phenolic compounds, such luteolin, and dandelion roots (which are often the source of dandelion supplements) are a rich source of inulin, a type of prebiotic fiber (Bernadetta, J Funct Foods 2019; Kania-Dobrowolska, Foods 2022).

Dandelion teas appear to contain much lower amounts of the nutrients, although some may still contain a significant amount of certain nutrients, such as potassium (USDA Food Central Database).

Dandelion health benefits

Sign in as a member to learn about the potential health benefits of dandelion tea and supplements, including whether there is evidence to support its use as a diuretic, for liver protection, for "detox," cancer, joint pain, and other conditions, and side effects and drug interactions with dandelion teas and supplements.

(Also see ConsumerLab’s articles about the efficacy and safety of detox supplements and detox foot pads and baths for information about other products promoted for this use).