Dandelion and Taraxacum officinale.Dandelion extract.
Article Content:
- .Plant Description and Basic Data.
- .Archeology and Name Origin of Dadelion.
- .Dandelion extracts?Phytochemicals of Dandelion.
- .Traditional and Contemporary Use.
- .Medicinal Action and Function of Dandelion.
- .Some particularly important uses of Dandelion.
- .Internally and Externally use of Dandelion.
- .Common uses and application of Dandelion root.
- .Take Method and Dosage of Dandelion related products.
- .Possible Interactions,Side Effects and Precautions of Dandelion.
- .How Search Engine think about Dandelion.
- .Research Update:Dandelion.
Possible Interactions,Side Effects and Precautions of Dandelion.
If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use dandelion preparations without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Lithium:
Animal studies suggest that dandelion may worsen the side effects associated with lithium, a medication commonly used to treat manic depression.
Antibiotics, Quinolone:
One species of dandelion, Taraxacum mongolicum, also called Chinese dandelion, may decrease the absorption of quinolone antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and levofloxacin) from the digestive tract. It is not known whether Taraxacum officinale, or common dandelion, would interact with these antibiotics in the same way. As a precaution, dandelion should not be taken at the same time as these antibiotics.
Interaction with Prescription Drugs:
Because dandelion may have a lowering effect on blood sugar, taking it may increase the effectiveness of medications used for the treatment of diabetes. Individuals who are using insulin or taking oral medications for diabetes, should talk to their doctors or pharmacists before using dandelion.
Dandelion possible diuretic effect could increase the effectiveness of ater pills? Individuals who take diuretic drugs, should discuss the use of dandelion with a doctor or pharmacist before beginning to take it.
If dandelion is taken by mouth, it may increase the production of stomach acid, potentially interfering with the acid-blocking actions of histamine-2 receptor blockers, such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), nizatidine (Axid), and ranitidine (Zantac) and proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium, omeprazole (Prilosec), Prevacid, and Protonix.
Interaction with Non-prescription Drugs:
The possibility that dandelion can increase the production of stomach acid could interfere with the effectiveness of antacids and over-the-counter medications such as Pepcid AC and Zantac AR.
Interaction with Herbal Products:
Although no cases have been reported, taking dandelion at the same time as other herbs (such as squill and yarrow) that also promote the loss of water from the body may possibly result in dehydration.
Possible Side Effects:
Because dandelion can increase the production of stomach acid, upset stomach is the most reported side effect when dandelion is taken orally.
Skin irritation (red, raw, or itchy patches) may occur after coming in contact with a dandelion plant.
Adverse Reactions:
Like many plants in this family, dandelions are known to cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.A case report of a 9-year-old boy describes positive patch test reactions to dandelion and other compositae-plant oleo resins.Two out of seven patients, each with histories of dandelion dermatitis, reacted not only to dandelion extracts, but to a sesquiterpene mix.These sesquiterpene lactones are believed to be the allergenic principles in dandelion.Taraxinic acid 1'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside has also been identified as an allergenic component.
Precautions:
The safety of oral dandelion preparations for pregnant or breast-feeding women has not been studied, but using it in moderate amounts is generally considered to be safe.
When handled, the chemicals in dandelion may cause skin irritation in individuals who are sensitive to it. In at least one study conducted in animals, dandelion was found to be mildly irritating to skin, but several human case reports of more serious contact dermatitis from handling dandelion plants have been published. Individuals who are sensitive to plants in the daisy family may also be sensitive to dandelion.
Caution: Taraxacum is contraindicated where there is occlusion of the bile ducts or gall bladder empyema.
Dandelion can be taken in tablet, tea, or tincture form. Dandelion may cause increased stomach acidity and ulcer pain. If you have gallstones or biliary tract obstructions, you should avoid this herb. Dandelion should not be used as a substitute for pharmaceutical diuretics for hypertension. If you are taking diuretic drugs, insulin, or medications that reduce blood-sugar levels, you should use dandelion only under a physician's supervision. People with known allergies to related plants, such as chamomile and yarrow, should use dandelion with caution
Dandelion also should be avoided during antibiotic treatment, especially treatment with ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), and enoxacin (Penetrex), since it may keep concentrations of these antibiotics from peaking in the bloodstream, diminishing their ability to fight infection.
Risks:Because it may increase the flow of bile, dandelion should not be used by individuals with gallstones, gallbladder disease, or bile duct obstruction. If individuals with diabetes use it orally, they should also check their blood sugar levels carefully to make sure they do not develop hypoglycemia.
Toxicology:
Acute toxicity of dandelion is low. LD 50 values in mice for the root are 36.8 g/kg and for herb are 28.8 g/kg.
Reference:Chevallier A. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants . New York, NY: DK Publishing, 1996;140.
Acute toxicity:Aside from acute allergic reactions,no acute toxicity has been observed.Doses of up to 6 grams per body weight administered daily for seven days to rabbits did not result in measurable toxicity.
Reference:Akhtar MS,Khan QM,Khaliq T.Effects of Portulaca oleracae (Kulfa) and Taraxacum officinale (Dhudhal) in normoglycaemic and alloxan-treated hyperglycaemic rabbits.JPMA J Pak Med Assoc 1985;35:207-10.
Chronic toxicity:None reported.Carcinogenesis was not observed in rats whose diet contained up to 33% dandelion for several months.Dandelion is one of several vegetables that demonstrate antimutagenic effects.
A case report describes toxicity in a patient taking an herbal combination tablet that included dandelion. It was unclear as to which constituents were responsible.Dandelion may be potentially toxic because of the high content of potassium, magnesium and other minerals.
Allergic reactions and contact dermatitis to dandelion have been reported;taraxinic acid appears to be the most allergic component of the plant.
Limitations during other illnesses or in patients with specific organ dysfunction:Unknown;herbalists traditionally recommend that dandelion be avoided by patients with biliary occlusion,acute cholecystitis and ileus.
Safety during pregnancy,lactation and/or childhood: Unknown.No adverse effects have been reported when taken in doses usually consumed as food.
Reference:
1.Dandelion and Taraxacum officinale.Dandelion extract.
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