Dandelion Root Tablets for Kidney Health, Fat Loss, Skin, PUPPP & More

Dandelion root tablets are commonly used to help detoxify the body, support the kidney and promote skin health.

Dandelion root and leaf extract has been used for many centuries in Native American, Chinese, Arabic and Ayurvedic traditional medicine. Historical records of the medicinal use of this plant date back to ancient Greece.

In the past, it was commonly used for spleen, liver and biliary disorders. It was also used in folklore medicine practices for improving digestion, heartburn, dropsy (edema), circulatory function, and as an analgesic for stomach pain.

Today, dandelion supplements are used commonly as a diuretic and a mild laxative. Some people take these products to promote weight loss, although it appears to work only temporarily by reducing excess water retention.

Dandelion tablets are also used by bodybuilders who want to flush out additional water weight prior to participating in a competition.

This article will review some of the common uses for dandelion tablets as well as the research that supports those uses. Information on supplement dosages and side effects will also be covered.

Dandelion Root

Herbal Supplement

Liver Health

Detox

Immunity

How It Works:

• Supports liver and kidney health
• Used as a diuretic & detox supplement
• Exhibits anti-inflammatory properties

Dosage:

Varies depending on formulation

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Dandelion Root Tablet Uses

User reviews on Amazon show that people take dandelion supplements for a range of conditions.

Testimonials from customers claim benefits for gout, detox, weight loss, skin appearance, blood pressure and managing blood-glucose levels. However, research is needed to determine the validity of these claims.

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCD) states that dandelion is used for conditions including:

• Digestive disorders like dyspepsia and flatulence;
• Viral infections and UTIs (urinary tract infections);
• Stimulating bile production (cholagogue);
• Joint pain and swelling from arthritis;
• Increasing appetite;
• Heart conditions and blood pressure;
• Cancer;

This plant has also been used in alternative medicine practices for hepatitis, anorexia, tonsillitis and bruising. It is also used for muscle aches, eczema and gallstones.

In aboriginal medicine practices from North America, this plant was prepared into an infusion to treat kidney problems and stomach upset and used as a blood tonic and analgesic.

Dandelion root is claimed to promote positive effects on endocrine function, digestive health and lipid levels in the blood.

The entire Taraxacum officinale plant is used as food and natural medicine. Fresh or dried, the roots and leaves are used to make tea, liquid tinctures, capsules, and ground powder. The flowers are used to make dandelion wine.

Dandelion leaves (greens) are eaten raw or cooked and are said to have a slightly bitter taste.

The leaves and roots are concentrated with various nutrients, including potassium, magnesium and calcium as well as vitamins K, A and C.

Research suggests that this plant has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It may help to protect cells from oxidative stress and to maintain healthy defenses against chronic low-grade inflammation.

Research studies have also reported antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal effects. In some early stage research trials, it is reported to have anti-cancer mechanisms.

However, most research to date has been conducted in animals and laboratory settings involving cultured cells (in vitro). Human clinical research on the effects of dandelion is very limited.

According to the National Institutes of Health, “There is no compelling scientific evidence for using dandelion as a treatment for any medical condition.”

In Germany, Canada and other countries, this herb is recognized for having medicinal benefits. However, the FDA has not approved its use as a drug for the prevention or treatment of any health problems.

PUPPP Treatment

Do dandelion pills work for PUPPP symptoms and are they safe for pregnant women to take?

PUPPP stands for Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques During Pregnancy. It is a skin rash similar to hives that is fairly common in pregnant women.

This condition is marked by intense itching and the development of scaly, welted skin in affected areas. PUPPP normally occurs on the abdomen and manifests in about the 35th week of gestation.

Dandelion root tablets are used by many to help clear up various skin conditions; including eczema, dermatitis, acne and psoriasis. It seems to support skin health due to its diuretic, antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Many women describe using dandelion for PUPPP on online review sites. Some claim that their symptoms were alleviated and reversed within a week of beginning usage.

However, anecdotal evidence cannot be relied upon to determine therapeutic efficacy because it is subject to possible placebo effects and inaccuracies in data reporting.

There is no clinical research available to evaluate the use of dandelion root for PUPPP. Human studies will be required to determine conclusively whether it works or not.

If you have PUPPP, consult with a doctor to determine the appropriate treatment for you. You should talk with your doctor before taking dandelion extracts or any other dietary supplement, especially if you are pregnant.

Fat Loss and Dieting

Many online reviews describe taking dandelion root extracts to support weight reduction diets and healthy weight management. However, there is no direct research available linking this herb to a fat loss effect.

You may see your bodyweight temporarily go down if standing on a weigh scale, but this does not mean that dandelion promotes long-lasting weight loss results. Instead, it works by stimulating the excretion of excess water weight from the body.

Dandelion is a diuretic that reduces water retention and eliminates excess fluids in the body. Human studies show that it can increase the frequency of urination as well as urine volume.

This makes it therapeutically beneficial for people with conditions like edema which are marked by swelling and excess accumulation of fluids in certain tissues and cavities. Excreting more water can temporarily reduce bloating and inflammation as well as support normal blood pressure regulation.

However, once you stop using dandelion, levels of water retention will normalize and your body weight will increase back to your normal weight.

Some preliminary evidence suggests that compounds in dandelion root might stop the maturation of new fat storage cells, inhibiting adipogenesis. This could be a mechanism by which it can
affect fat mass, but this effect is not yet well understood.

It is not known whether dandelion can support weight loss, weight management or influence body composition. Human studies are warranted to determine whether it works or not.

How to Take

The recommended dosage for taking oral dandelion tablets will vary depending on the reason it is being used and the concentration of the product being taken.

Dandelion extracts are typically sold in 520mg to 900mg capsules. Some brands sell this supplement in the form of a bulk powder, which tends to be more cost effective.

Nature’s Way sells a vegetarian-friendly, 525 mg organic dandelion root capsule. Their recommended serving size is three capsules per day, taken with food.

Several manufacturers carry 5:1 extract root powders and supplements. These products are five times more concentrated than raw unprocessed extracts, meaning that a smaller dosage is required.

This plant is sometimes combined with other supplements to promote synergistic health benefits. It may be combined with milk thistle, omega 3 fatty acids, cascara sagrada, uva ursi, beet extract, parsley, d-mannose, cranberry, artichoke, ginger, chicory root, and turmeric (curcumin).

Supplement Side Effects

Dandelion is a GRAS food, meaning the US FDA classifies it as “Generally Regarded As Safe”. This is a status given to foods that are considered safe and non-hazardous by a consensus of health experts.

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCD) rates this plant and Likely Safe when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods.

When used in medicinal amounts, it is rated Possibly Safe meaning that preliminary evidence shows it is well tolerated, but more research is needed to determine safety for all groups of people at higher dosages.

A small percentage of users experience allergic reactions to dandelion products. If you are allergic to the as pollen from other botanical relatives in the Asteraceae family, you may experience allergy symptoms when taken certain preparations of dandelion extracts.

Some people experience temporary digestive side effects and sensitivity when using dandelion root supplements. Adverse reactions reported include diarrhea, bloating and gas.

This supplement may not be safe for people with pre-existing medical conditions. It could interact with other drugs and supplements being used, including medications used to lower blood glucose levels, diuretics, anti-coagulant drugs, and lithium.

If you are considering using dandelion root tablets for any specific health goals, it is best to seek medical advice first. Let your doctor know about all natural health products you are using as well as any prescription medications you take.

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