Health Benefits of Dandelion leaf

The botanical name of dandelion is Taraxacum officinale, which belongs to the Asteraceae family. The climatic condition is favorable to grow dandelion plant is present at the temperate zone of the Northern hemisphere. Northern America, Asian and European countries traditionally used this herb for therapeutic purposes, and even the medicinal properties of this herb are also recognized in the modern medicinal system. Leaf, root, and flowers of dandelion have medicinal applications. But this article mainly describes the medicinal benefits of dandelion leaf.

The height of the dandelion plant is about 12 inches from the ground and hold spatula-like leaves. The length of the leaves is 5–30cm and the width is 1–10cm. The arrangement of leaves forms a rosette at the ground level. The shape of the dandelion leaves is deeply toothed and hairless. A French word ‘dent-de-lion’, which means ‘lion’s tooth’ and the name dandelion is inspired by the shape of the leaves.

The United States and Europe commercially cultivate Dandelion to use the leaves of this herb to formulate herbal medicines. Modern herbal medical researchers reported that dandelion has a variety of pharmacological properties including broad-spectrum antibacterial anti-fungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antidiabetic, diuretic, choleretic, hepatoprotective, and tumor apoptosis-inducing properties. The German Commission has approved the dandelion application for different therapeutic purposes like anorexia, dyspepsia, and biliary abnormalities.

Phytochemicals present in Dandelion leaf

Dandelion leaf, the especially spring-harvested variety has a bitter taste due to the presence of sesquiterpene lactones. The different phytochemicals present in all the parts of Dandelion plant are different varieties of flavonoids, such as chicoric acid, chlorogenic acid, hydroxycinnamic acids, luteolin, luteolin 7-glucoside, and mono-caffeyl tartaric acid. However, the leaf extract of this plant contains some specific phytochemicals, such as cichoriin, coumarins, and aesculin.

What is the Mode of action of Dandelion leaves followed to prevent and cure diseases?

It stimulates tumor necrosis factor and has an effect on lymphocytes, thus this herb acts as an immunomodulator.

The skin benefits obtain from Dandelion leaf preparations due to the reduction of liver toxicity and act as a detoxifier.

Different forms of Dandelion leaf

Dandelion leaves are a rich source of vitamins and minerals. The vitamin composition of Dandelion leaf contains beta carotene, vitamins C and D, non-provitamin A carotenoids, xanthophylls, chlorophyll, choline, many of the B-complex vitamins like thiamine and riboflavin, etc. The rich mineral composition of Dandelion leaf includes iron, silicon, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, zinc, manganese, copper, and phosphorous. Fiber and protein contents in Dandelion leaf are also high. Dandelion leaf supplementation available in market.

There are different forms of Dandelion leaf can be used to obtain the health benefits, which include

· Dried leaves 4-10 g daily

· Fresh leaves 4-10 g daily

· Fresh leaf juice 1 teaspoon twice a day

· Leaf tincture – 2-5 ml thrice a day

· Dried powder extract 250-1000 mg four times a day

· Fluid extract 1-2 teaspoon daily

Uses of Dandelion Leaf

There are multiple medicinal uses of Dandelion leaf.

Gastrointestinal Benefits

Research findings support that Dandelion leaf acts as a bitter and stimulates digestion. Thus digestive disorders can be treated with dandelion leaves preparation. Traditionally, this herb is used as bitter and treat chronic gastrointestinal complaints. But very less clinical studies conducted to scientifically-backed these benefits. A case series of 24 patients with non-specific, chronic colitis had treated with a combination of herbal formula including dandelion St John’swort lemon balm, calendula and fennel provided a remarkable symptomatic relief. This formulation helps to normalize stool and reduce pain symptom.

Diuretic

Traditional, as well as modern medicinal practice, acknowledged the Dandelion leaf has diuretic property. This can help to increase the flow of urine in renal abnormality. The therapeutic benefit of Dandelion leaf as a diuretic has investigated.

Anti-Inflammatory Property

Dandelion leaf is effective to reduce inflammation. An animal research study had proven that ethanol extracts of the dried aerial parts of Dandelion including leaf have inflammation reduction ability. However, the specific phytochemical/s responsible for this effect is not yet identified. Another researcher also performed an animal trial to check the anti-inflammatory property of dandelion leaf. The researchers concluded that dandelion leaf extract may have a preventive effect against acute pancreatitis.

The potent anti-inflammatory effect of Dandelion leaf is effective to treat the inflammatory condition of the central nervous system also.

Anticancer Property

A trial conducted to check the anticancer property of Dandelion reported that ethanol extracts of the dried aerial parts have an inhibitory effect against angiogenesis.

Hepatoprotective Effects

Dandelion can cure liver and gallbladder disorders due to the presence of certain bioactive phytochemicals like terpenoid and bitter sterol components such as taraxacin and taraxacerin. This herb also helps in liver healing by inducing apoptosis of human hepatoma cells through tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin 1α secretion. This herb also increases bile flow into the duodenum by stimulating the liver and thus prevents stagnation of bile.

Ethanolic extract of Dandelion leaf is effective to treat liver enzyme toxicity by normalizing the aspartate and alanine transaminases serum levels. This herb is to prevent lipid peroxidation and also reduces oxidative stress in liver tissue. Animal research finding also supported that Dandelion leaf is effective to treat hepatotoxicity and reduces oxidative stress.

Antioxidant Effect

The presence of flavonoids, vitamin C, and carotenoids in Dandelion leaf exert a potent anti-oxidant property. Dandelion leaf acts as a hydrogen donor and scavenges hydrogen peroxide. Thus, it acts as a reducing agent. Luteolin and luteolin7-O-glucoside are to phytochemicals present in Dandelion impart oxidative stress preventing the effect.

Antibiotic

The broad-spectrum antibiotic property of Dandelion is effective against Helicobacter pyroli. In traditional Chinese medicinal system, this herb used to treat such infection and also prevent gastric ulcer caused by Helicobacter pyroli.

Miscellaneous Health Benefits

Dietary experts recommended to include Dandelion leaf in a regular diet as a salad to get of Physico-chemical and sensory qualities. The chlorophyll, carotenoids, and fiber content also increase nutritional intake.
Experts also recommended Dandelion products can be used as a coffee substitute, as its flavor helps to enhance the taste of the drink and other food items like alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, baked food items, cheese, frozen dairy desserts, sweets, puddings, and jellies.
Thus inclusion of Dandelion leaf helps to prevent cardiovascular disease, obesity [3] and a decoction of the whole plant may have an anti-diabetic property and acts as a laxative.
Animal research findings also found the evidence that dandelion leaves have growth and performance promoting properties in poultry.

Side Effects and Precautions

Following are some side effects may consumer have after using dandelion which includes gastrointestinal discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea, fast heartbeat, bleeding, potassium level and excessive urination.

Dandelion can interact with other medicines like quinolone antibiotics and decrease their efficacy. It can delay the breakdown of certain medicines like haloperidol, propranolol, propranolol, and amitriptyline in the liver.

The potassium content of dandelion together with potassium-sparing diuretics may increase the potassium level in blood. Dandelion delays blood clotting, therefore, it should not be used with any anti-coagulant to avoid the increase bleeding risk.

The safety profile of dandelion in pregnancy and breastfeeding women have not checked. Therefore, the pregnant and nursing mother should not use this herbal medicine to avoid neonatal harm.