What is it used for?
LEAF
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to increase the amount of urine to achieve flushing of the urinary tract as an adjuvant in minor urinary complaints [Source note 2].
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine as a diuretic [Source note 3].
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine as a laxative/aperient [Source note 4].
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine (as a choleretic) to help increase bile flow [Source note 5].
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help treat/relieve digestive troubles/(such as) upset stomach/indigestion/dyspepsia [Source note 6].
ROOT
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine as an alterative to help relieve dermatological conditions, such as eczema (Wichtl 2004; Blumenthal et al. 2000; Ellingwood 1919; Felter and Lloyd 1898).
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine as a diuretic [Source note 7].
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine as a laxative/aperient [Source note 8].
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine (as a choleretic (and cholagogue)) to help increase bile flow [Source note 9].
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help stimulate appetite [Source note 10].
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help treat/relieve digestive troubles/(such as) upset stomach/indigestion/dyspepsia [Source note 11].
WHOLE PLANT
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to increase the amount of urine to achieve flushing of the urinary tract as an adjuvant in minor urinary complaints [Source note 12].
Used in Herbal Medicine as a diuretic [Source note 13].
Used in Herbal Medicine (as a choleretic (and cholagogue)) to help increase bile flow [Source note 14].
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help stimulate appetite [Source note 15].
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help treat/relieve digestive troubles/(such as) upset stomach/indigestion/dyspepsia [Source note 16].
The above uses can be combined on the product label if from the same traditional or non-traditional system of medicine (e.g., Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help increase bile flow and relieve digestive troubles).
For multi-ingredient products:
To prevent the product from being represented as a "traditional medicine", any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific active ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g., Dandelion is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine as a diuretic).
When ALL of the active ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required.
Who does this guide cover?
Adolescents 12 to 17 years, Adults 18 years and older
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract*, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)
LEAF
1.2 - 30 grams of dried leaf, per day [Source note 17].
ROOT
1.5 - 24 grams of dried root, per day [Source note 18].
WHOLE PLANT
3 - 30 grams of dried whole plant, per day [Source note 19].
*Note: Solvents allowed for the method of preparation "Non-standardized extracts (Dry extract)" as part of this reference are ethanol and/or water only.
Method of preparation: Juice
LEAF
10 - 20 milliliters of juice of fresh leaf, per day; Not to exceed 10 milliliters per single dose [Source note 20].
ROOT
12 - 24 milliliters of juice of fresh root, per day; Not to exceed 8 milliliters per single dose [Source note 21].
WHOLE PLANT
15 - 30 milliliters of juice of fresh whole plant, per day; Not to exceed 10 milliliters per single dose [Source note 22].
How is it used?
Flushing of urinary tract
Maintain adequate fluid intake [Source note 23].
Combination rules
No permitted combinations between the preparations 'Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Extracts' and 'Juice'.
No permitted combination between plant parts (i.e. leaf, root and whole plant) as the amount of a specific part is required to support the associated claim(s) at Class I. For source review category II and III, when there is not claim associated with dandelion or dandelion juice, and the reference is only used to support safety of the active ingredient, combination of plant parts is allowed with the following rules:
For the methods of preparation 'Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Extracts', the total quantity equivalent from all sources must not exceed 24 g per day when the source material part 'root' is included or 30 g per day when the source material part 'root' is not included.
For the method of preparation 'Juice', the total quantity equivalent from all sources must not exceed 20 mL per day when the source material part 'leaf' is included or 24 mL per day when the leaf juice is not included.
For combination of plant parts, the contraindication statements apply for products providing a total of 10 g or more of dried leaf and/or dried root and/or dried whole plant, per day.
How long is it used?
Diuretic
For occasional use only [Source note 24].
Warnings and precautions
All products
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have a liver or biliary disorder or an intestinal obstruction [Source note 25].
Constipation, Flushing of the urinary tract, Indigestion, and Loss of appetite
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
When should it be avoided?
Products providing 10 g or more of dried leaf or dried root or dried whole plant, per day or 10 mL or more of juice, per day
Do not use if you have diabetes or a blood pressure, kidney or cardiovascular disorder [Source note 26].
Do not use if you are taking heart medications or other products containing diuretics [Source note 27].
Possible side effects
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taraxacum officinale |
| Taraxacum officinale |
| Dry |
| Taraxacum officinale | Dandelion juice | Taraxacum officinale |
| Fresh |
References: Proper name: USDA 2024; Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Common name: USDA 2024; Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Blumenthal et al. 2000; Wiersema and León 1999; Bradley 1992; Source information: Blumenthal et al. 2000; Bradley 1992.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- July 25, 2025
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
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Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.