Dandelion — Safety & Interactions
Pu Gong Ying · Herba Taraxaci
Use with caution. Practitioner review recommended before use.
Contraindications
- Known allergy to dandelion or other Asteraceae plants
- Use of high-dose extracts without attention to blood sugar or diuretic effects
Cautions
- Memorial Sloan Kettering notes that dandelion can cause heartburn, stomach upset, rash, mild diarrhea, and low blood sugar in susceptible users.
- MSK also notes preclinical estrogenic activity and advises caution with concentrated supplement use when hormone sensitivity is a concern.
- Large amounts of tea or extract are more likely to cause side effects or medication interactions than ordinary food use.
Drug Interactions
| Drug Class / Substrate | Mechanism | Severity | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diuretics - dandelion may have additive diuretic effects | |||
| Hypoglycemic medications - dandelion may have additive blood-sugar-lowering effects | |||
| CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 substrate drugs - dandelion may alter metabolism and blood levels of these medications | |||
| UGT substrate drugs - animal studies suggest dandelion may affect glucuronidation pathways | |||
| Immunosuppressants metabolized through CYP3A4 - a case report linked toxic drug levels to tea containing dandelion | |||
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal medicines, especially if you take prescription medications.