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Dandelion for Liver Support and Health Benefits

Modern society is not prepared to properly deal with the volume of toxins that come our way from processed food and environmental pollutants. Many people have sluggish and overworked livers that are not able to efficiently process toxins. There are many foods that can help cleanse the liver naturally. One such food is dandelion.

Dandelion roots, leaves, and flowers have a long history of use in traditional medicine. Dandelion is an entirely edible plant. The nutrient content of dandelion reveals high amounts of minerals, proteins, fiber, and vitamins and a balanced combination of trace elements, making dandelion an interesting source of micronutrients [source].

Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, has been frequently used to prevent or treat different liver diseases because of its rich composition in phytochemicals with demonstrated effect against hepatic injuries [source].

Dandelion is a source of bioactive compounds that have anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, choleretic (increases bile production), diuretic (help rid your body of salt and water), liver-protective, and immunostimulatory effects [source].

Dandelion is thought to “detoxify” the blood, and has been used traditionally to maintain liver health and to treat various systemic disorders. Dandelion root has been shown to modulate phase I and phase II enzymes in animal studies [source].

Dandelion leaves can be eaten in a salad or smoothie. The leaves are bitter and have a cleansing effect on the liver. Dandelion root is a more potent liver cleanser and is often used in tinctures, powders and capsules.

How to Take Dandelion – As Supplements or Food


Dandelion tinctures are prepared for ease-of-use. Choose a preparation with just dandelion root, leaf and flower or opt for a more comprehensive liver-support herbal preparation. Here are two options to consider:

Dandelion Alcohol-Free extract from fresh (never dried) whole Certified Organic Taraxacum officinale plants (root, leaf, and flower) grown in southern Oregon. The plants are grown in neat rows, are harvested each spring and often have taproots over a foot in length. To assure optimal extraction of the herb’s bioactive compounds, the plants are hand-harvested while in full flower and are then promptly extracted while still fresh and succulent.

Shake well before using. Two to four times per day take 30 to 40 drops in a little water.


Liver Health from Global Healing Center is a blend of powerful, carefully-selected herbs that contain antioxidants and other beneficial compounds. The specialized nutrients in this enhanced Raw Herbal Extract™ naturally detoxify, flush, and purge the liver of deposits, built-up toxins, and other impurities. Includes a 30-day supply.

  • Detoxes the Liver
  • Improves Energy
  • Supports Digestion

Shake bottle well. Take 1 ml twice daily or as directed by your healthcare provider.


Dandelion Root

Studies support the many benefits of dandelion:

  • anti-inflammatory
  • anti-oxidative
  • diuretic activity

Dandelion Root and Cancer [source]

  • selectively inhibits cancer cell growth
  • strong anti-cancer activity, induces apoptosis (cancer cell death)
  • inhibits the ability of colorectal cancer cells to migrate and invade, and therefore metastasize to secondary locations
  • selectively reduced the metabolic activity of aggressive colon cancer cells, irrespective of their p53 status.

Mountain Rose Herbs dandelion root is organically cultivated in the United States. Taraxacum officinale can be decocted as dandelion tea, added to herbal tea blends, made into dandelion extract, or infused into body care recipes.

Dandelion was traditionally used to support digestive and gastrointestinal health. Additionally, dandelion was traditionally used to support liver health, healthy urinary function and has mild diuretic action.

Herbalist Rosemary Gladstar strongly promotes this herb, saying that it is “invaluable to women going through menopause.” Dandelion root’s benefit to the digestive tract is twofold as it contains inulin and is also a bitter digestive tonic which tones the digestive system and stimulates the appetite.

Dr. Axe: “Dandelion root is used in the treatment of muscle aches, loss of appetite, upset stomach, intestinal gas, gallstones, joint pain, eczema and bruises. It also increases urine production and serves as a laxative to increase bowel movements.

Some people use dandelion to treat infections, especially viral infections and even cancer. It’s also used as a skin toner, blood tonic and digestive tonic.

Cancer: Recent work with in-vitro systems, shows the anti-cancer potential of an aqueous dandelion root extract (DRE) in several cancer cell models, with no toxicity to non-cancer cells. 

How to use Dandelion Root

You can make tea with the dandelion roots. I purchase from Mountain Rose Herbs or my local herb shop.

  1. Steep about one tablespoon of chopped dried root for 30 minutes in five ounces of boiling water.
  2. For bigger health challenges, add 1 cup of the dried root to a quart jar and add hot, not boiling water. Cover and let sit overnight. Strain and drink.

Dandy Blend Instant Herbal Beverage

Dandy Blend is a caffeine-free herbal beverage and coffee alternative. It consists of four ingredients: roasted barley extracts, roasted rye extracts, roasted dandelion root extracts, and roasted chicory root extract. Due to the kind of water extraction processing that the ingredients go through, the gluten is removed. Dandy Blend only uses Roasted barley extracts and Roasted rye extracts. Third-party sandwich ELISA testing for gluten results show gluten is “not detected.”

Hailed by many over centuries for its various health benefits, dandelion is believed to detox the liver, soothe the nervous system, and calm the stomach.

Dandy Blend’s powdered consistency is soluble in any liquid at any temperature, enabling you to create a variety of beverages from iced coffees and lattes to cappuccinos. Dandy Vanilla recipe here. Dandy Blend Liver Soothing Recipe. I used Dandy Blend daily in hot water and add my own coffee, butter and collagen. Here’s a Bulletproof Dandy Recipe. My recipe for anti-aging mocha.

  • The plants used in the production of Original Dandy Blend are grown on medicinal herb farms in Poland where there are no GMO crops allowed by law. The plants used in the production of Organic Dandy Blend are grown on farms designated as Organic in Europe.
  • Dandy Blend is manufactured from a water extract of these plants.
  • The health benefits of dandelion root and chicory have been passed down for generations. Dandy Blend contains many trace minerals too.
  • Dandy Blend does not contain wheat or fruit, nor is there a possibility of cross-contamination with malt, peanut, soy, or tree nut allergens. The facility that produces Dandy Blend produces nothing containing any kind of nut. The barley is simply extracted with water, producing no malt.
  • Dandy Blend is safe for pets, children, adults, and breastfeeding/lactating women. Check with your health practitioner if you are pregnant and have any concerns.
  • Add some Dandy Blend to your favorite recipes, smoothies and even sweet treats. It is the easiest way to get the benefits of dandelion root into your diet.
  • Keep bag tightly sealed to prevent clumping and hardening.

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