• Dr. Bill Rawls

    ABOUT BILL RAWLS, M.D.

    Dr. Rawls' groundbreaking approach to wellness comes from decades of practicing medicine, extensive research in alternative therapies, and firsthand experience helping thousands find their path to wellness. Dr. Rawls is a best-selling author, Medical Director and Co-Founder of Vital Plan, a holistic health company and Certified B Corporation.
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  • Dandelion Extract
    By Vital Plan
    Reviewed by Bill Rawls, MD
    Medical Director of Vital Plan

    This common flowering herb is a part of the sunflower family. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root and leaf have long been revered in herbal medicine across Asia, Europe, and North America. Traditionally, dandelion has been used primarily to promote digestion and support the liver.

    Today, the leaf is a popular and nutritious salad ingredient, while roasted dandelion root is consumed as an herbal stimulant in place of caffeine. Dandelion can also be dried and used as a tea or a powdered supplement. The purest, most potent formulations are extracts of dandelion root or leaf or a combination of the two.

    Dandelion root and leaf extract are both valued for supporting digestive health. Dandelion is used to promote appetite, soothe the stomach, relieve occasional gas, and promote regularity.

    Benefits of Dandelion:*

    Dandelion Root Extract:

    • Supports digestion
    • Soothes the GI tract
    • Promotes a healthy gut microbiome
    • Supports balanced blood sugar levels
    • Promotes healthy liver function
    • High in antioxidants

    Dandelion Leaf Extract:

    • Helps eliminate water retention
    • Promotes digestion
    • Supports liver function and a healthy urinary tract
    • Supports healthy vision
    • High in antioxidants
    • Supports circulation and healthy blood pressure

    How Dandelion Extract Works*

    Dandelion roots contain a fiber called inulin that has demulcent and prebiotic properties. A demulcent is a substance that forms a coating over a mucous membrane, creating a soothing effect.

    As a prebiotic, dandelion root promotes the growth of beneficial flora in the gut and helps to balance the gut microbiome.

    As bitters, both dandelion leaf and root promote bile production to support healthy digestion. The compounds responsible for the bitter taste are also linked to promoting healthy liver function.

    Several compounds in dandelion have been associated with balancing the inflammatory process. And a 2008 study in the Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine suggests dandelion helps promote the body’s natural detoxification and elimination processes.

    Side effects: Avoid dandelion if you are allergic to ragweed or related plants, including daisies, chrysanthemums, and marigolds.

    Dandelion is high in vitamin K; if you are on a blood thinning medication, consult your health care practitioner before taking dandelion.

    Dandelion may inhibit the absorption of antibiotics; avoid dandelion extract if you are using antibiotics.

    Ingredients similar to Dandelion:

    Berberine
    Slippery Elm

    *This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider before beginning any diet or program.
    The Cellular Wellness Solution

    Discover more in Dr. Bill Rawls’ new #1 Bestselling book: The Cellular Wellness Solution: Tap Into Your Full Health Potential with the Science-Backed Power of Herbs.

    An eye-opening and empowering book that the world needs right now: The Cellular Wellness Solution will fundamentally change how you think about herbs and the powerful role they play in cultivating wellness at the cellular level.”

    Mark Hyman5 stars
    Mark Hyman, MD
    Fourteen-time #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

    References
    1. González-Castejón M et al. Diverse biological activities of dandelion. Nutrition Reviews. 2012 Sep;70(9):534-47.
    2. Kenny O et al. Characterisation of antimicrobial extracts from dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale) using LC-SPE-NMR. Phytotherapy Research. 2015 Apr;29(4):526-32. Epub 2015 Jan 21.
    3. Martinez M et al. Taraxacum officinale and related species-An ethnopharmacological review and its potential as a commercial medicinal plant. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2015 Jul 1;169:244-62.
    4. Ovadje et al. Dandelion root extract affects colorectal cancer proliferation and survival through the activation of multiple death signalling pathways. Oncotarget. 2016 Nov 8; 7(45). Published online 2016 Aug 22.
    5. Schütz K et al. Taraxacum, a review on its phytochemical and pharmacological profile. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2006 Oct 11;107(3):313-23. Epub 2006 Jul 22.
    6. Spelman K et al. The diuretic effect in human subjects of an extract of Taraxacum officinale folium over a single day. Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine. 2009 Aug;15(8):929-34.
    7. Ung-Kyu C et al. Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant Effects of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Root and Leaf on Cholesterol-Fed Rabbits. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2010 Jan; 11(1): 67–78. Published online 2010 Jan 6.
    8. Wirngo F et al.The Physiological Effects of Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale) in Type 2 Diabetes. The Review of Diabetic Studies. 2016 Summer-Fall;13(2-3):113-131.
    9. Yarnell E et al. Review article: Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale and T mongolicum). Integrative Medicine Journal. Apr/May 2009. Vol. 8, No. 2: 35-38.

    About the Medical Director
    Dr. Bill Rawls
    Dr. Rawls is a licensed medical doctor in North Carolina and a leading expert in integrative health. He has extensive training in alternative therapies, and is the Medical Director of Vital Plan, a holistic health and herbal supplement company in Raleigh, NC.

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