Dandelion Root Vs. Dandelion Leaf

Dandelions have been used medicinally in Europe, North America and Asia for centuries. Most applications of the herb relate to the digestive tract, although Traditional Chinese Medicine also uses it in respiratory applications and as a treatment for mastitis.

Precautions

• Beware of allergies and interactions.

  As with all herbal remedies and supplements, dandelion derivatives should be avoided by people with allergies to plants in the same family, Asteraceae/Compositae in this case, and dandelion should be avoided by people allergic to honey, according to Medline Plus. People with gallbladder problems, women who are pregnant or nursing, and children should contact a medical practitioner before using dandelion. It may interact or interfere with certain medications.

Dandelion Root

• According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), dandelion root is typically used to treat digestive problems such as upset stomach and poor appetite. It may be used to promote liver detoxification and improve gallbladder function as well.

Dandelion Leaf

• Dandelion leaves may be used as a diuretic.

  Dandelion leaf is a diuretic, according to the UMMC. Perhaps the greatest advantage to using dandelion leaf in this application is that it contains 218 mg potassium (about 4 percent of the RDA), a nutrient often lost when diuretics are used. However, Medline Plus reports that because it contains coumarins, dandelion leaf may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with medicines that also increase the risk of bleeding, including several over-the-counter pain killers.