Dandelion Root
Also known as: Taraxacum officinale, dandelion root extract, dandelion root powder, pu gong ying
The root of the common dandelion, used in traditional practice as a bitter digestive and liver tonic and in modern formulas for liver support and water balance. Human evidence is sparse: a small single-day pilot study of a leaf extract reported increased urination frequency, and root-specific clinical trials are lacking. It is inexpensive and mild, so it appears in many detox and digestive blends more on tradition than data.
Research summary
Sesquiterpene lactones and inulin are proposed to stimulate bile flow and digestive secretions; leaf preparations show mild diuretic activity, likely related to potassium and flavonoid content.
Dosage
Daily amounts, of compound.
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | 500–2,000 mg | — | — |
500 to 2,000 mg per day of dried root or root powder, typically with meals, as commonly labeled on commercial products; no controlled root trials establish a dose. Extracts (4:1 and similar) are dosed lower. Mildly bitter.
Source material: dried root powder or 4:1 extract
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Earthy, bitter flavor; common in teas and liquid extracts.
Formulation notes
Pairs with milk thistle and artichoke. Ragweed-family plant; may add to diuretic effects of other ingredients.
Sources
Related ingredients
Milk Thistle Extract (80% Silymarin)
BotanicalA seed extract of milk thistle standardized to silymarin, a flavonolignan complex, and the best-known botanical in liver-support formulas.
Typical: 140–420 mg
Artichoke Leaf Extract
BotanicalAn extract of globe artichoke leaves standardized to cynarin and caffeoylquinic acids, used in digestive, liver, and cholesterol-support formulas.
Typical: 320–640 mg
Probiotic Blend (Multi-Strain)
ProbioticA generic placeholder for a multi-strain probiotic blend, typically combining several Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species and sometimes Streptococcus thermophilus or a Bacillus spore.
Typical: 10–50 B CFU
Magnesium Citrate
MineralMagnesium bound to citric acid, one of the best-selling magnesium forms because it is inexpensive, dissolves readily, and has shown good bioavailability in comparison studies.
Typical: 150–350 mg
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)
ProbioticLGG (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, ATCC 53103) is the single most studied probiotic strain, isolated in 1985 and since reclassified as Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus.
Typical: 1–10 B CFU