Dandelion / Taraxacum officinale

The Basics

What is Dandelion / Taraxacum officinale?

Used for conditions like inflammation of the tonsils, infections of the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs), and many others.

Brand names for Dandelion / Taraxacum officinale

Na

How Dandelion / Taraxacum officinale is classified

Complementary Therapies, Phytotherapy, Plants, Medicinal

Dandelion / Taraxacum officinale During Pregnancy

Dandelion / Taraxacum officinale pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Dandelion / Taraxacum officinale while pregnant

N/A

Taking Dandelion / Taraxacum officinale While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Dandelion / Taraxacum officinale?

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) herb contains vitamins, minerals, terpenoids, caffeic acid, and numerous other compounds. Dandelion root contains high concentrations of inulin. Dandelion is a purported galactogogue;[1] however, no scientifically valid clinical trials support this use. Galactogogues should never replace evaluation and counseling on modifiable factors that affect milk production.[2] Except for the vitamins and minerals, no data exist on the excretion of any of the pharmacologically active components of dandelion into breastmilk or on the safety and efficacy of dandelion in nursing mothers or infants. Dandelion is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as a food by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It rarely can cause allergic reactions, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal upset. Use during lactation is unlikely to harm the breastfed infant. Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) herb contains vitamins, minerals, terpenoids, caffeic acid, and numerous other compounds. Dandelion root contains high concentrations of inulin. Dandelion is a purported galactogogue;[1] however, no scientifically valid clinical trials support this use. Galactogogues should never replace evaluation and counseling on modifiable factors that affect milk production.[2] Except for the vitamins and minerals, no data exist on the excretion of any of the pharmacologically active components of dandelion into breastmilk or on the safety and efficacy of dandelion in nursing mothers or infants. Dandelion is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as a food by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It rarely can cause allergic reactions, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal upset. Use during lactation is unlikely to harm the breastfed infant. Dietary supplements do not require extensive pre-marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Manufacturers are responsible to ensure the safety, but do not need to prove the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. Dietary supplements may contain multiple ingredients, and differences are often found between labeled and actual ingredients or their amounts. A manufacturer may contract with an independent organization to verify the quality of a product or its ingredients, but that does not certify the safety or effectiveness of a product. Because of the above issues, clinical testing results on one product may not be applicable to other products.

Possible effects of Dandelion / Taraxacum officinale on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Dandelion / Taraxacum officinale

None listed