Dandelion Tea Benefits: What It May Do for Your Health

Dandelion tea may offer several potential health benefits, from acting as a natural diuretic to supporting digestion.

It acts as a diuretic.

Diuretics help the body eliminate excess water through urination, and both research and anecdotal reports suggest dandelion can work this way. Kevin Spelman, Ph.D., M.C.P.P., a scientist who has studied the plant and founded Health, Education & Research, a consulting firm for the natural products industry, says the leaf appears to be stronger than the root in this respect. “In terms of diuretic effect, the leaf is much more effective as a diuretic than the root is,” he explains. “Although the root does have some mild diuretic effect, the leaf has good diuretic effects.”

It may support liver health.

Spelman says dandelion may be especially useful for hepatic inflammation, which is the liver’s response to damage such as jaundice or hepatitis. He notes that herbalists have traditionally used it for this purpose and that modern research has also explored it. “What it does is it helps you dump bile from your liver, and when you dump bile,” he says, “essentially it’s like reaching in and squeezing a sponge if you will. You get the liver to dump the bile, and it takes toxins with it.”

It could be beneficial for the kidneys.

Much of this possible benefit is linked to the strong antioxidant content found in dandelions, which has been highlighted in multiple studies. Animal research has shown that dandelion may reduce kidney damage caused by diabetes and chemotherapy. Spelman says the most likely explanation is its antioxidant activity. “There are some compounds in there that are very strong antioxidants, and antioxidants, generally speaking, have a protective effect on the tissues that they see,” he says. The plant’s flavonoids and polyphenols may therefore help protect tissues such as the kidneys as they move through the body. He adds that while the antioxidant benefits of many herbs are often overstated, dandelion appears to have meaningful antioxidant effects.

It may help with digestive problems.

Studies are limited, but the available research suggests dandelion may help with gastrointestinal disorders, likely because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Spelman also says traditional herbalists view dandelion as a mild laxative because of its bitter taste. “Almost every bitter herb will have some sort of laxative effect,” he says. “So they use it as kind of a laxative tonic, if you will, just to keep them regular.”

Its anticancer potential may be explored in the future.

It is still far too soon to conclude that dandelion can fight cancer in human tissue, but some research points in that direction. One study found that dandelion root extract killed certain skin cancer cells.

FAQs

How much dandelion tea should you drink?

There is no standard amount of dandelion tea that guarantees all of these benefits for everyone, though even one cup a day may be helpful. Spelman notes that many American diets are low in phytonutrients, including diets often considered healthy. “If you’re eating traditional vegetables you buy from the grocery store, those hybrids have been bred to get rid of a lot of the phytochemistry because generally, phytochemistry is bitter in flavor,” he says. Drinking dandelion tea can help supply some of those missing nutrients.

Are there any possible side effects?

If you have specific health concerns, it is always wise to speak with a physician before taking any supplement or herbal remedy. Even so, dandelion is generally recognized as safe by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, and no serious side effects are known. “The plant is incredibly non-toxic and is incredibly safe,” says Spelman. “The only things you have to worry about are pesticides. So, if you're picking dandelion from your lawn, and you're spraying your lawn with pesticides, that’s not so smart, right?”

The bottom line

Dandelion tea may be a healthy drink to include in your routine. Although research is still limited, possible benefits include helping the body remove excess water, supporting kidney health, and encouraging milk production. No negative side effects are known from drinking dandelion tea, but if you have concerns, it is always best to check with your doctor first.