How does Taraxacum mongolicum work to treat liver heat?

Taraxacum mongolicum contains active compounds like taraxasterol and flavonoids that are believed to support liver function. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it clears 'liver heat,' which corresponds to anti-inflammatory and choleretic (bile-stimulating) activities in modern pharmacology. These constituents may help protect liver cells from oxidative damage and promote bile secretion, aiding in detoxification. However, specific molecular mechanisms require further clinical validation (Evidence Level: C).

Does Taraxacum mongolicum interact with any prescription medications?

Yes, Taraxacum mongolicum may interact with certain medications. Due to its potential diuretic effects, it could potentiate the effects of diuretic drugs or lithium. Additionally, because it influences liver metabolism, it may alter the breakdown of drugs processed by the cytochrome P450 system. Patients taking anticoagulants or medications metabolized by the liver should consult a healthcare provider before use to avoid adverse interactions (Evidence Level: C/Theoretical).

What is the standard dosage for Taraxacum mongolicum?

The standard adult dosage for Taraxacum mongolicum depends on the preparation form. For a medicinal decoction, the typical dose ranges from 6 to 15 grams of the dried herb or 9 to 30 grams of the fresh herb daily. This dosage is traditionally used to address breast infections and liver heat. It is essential to follow the guidance of a qualified practitioner to determine the appropriate dose for individual conditions (Evidence Level: Traditional).

Is Taraxacum mongolicum safe to use during pregnancy?

No, Taraxacum mongolicum is considered unsafe during pregnancy. Traditional usage guidelines and safety assessments suggest it may possess emmenagogue properties, potentially stimulating uterine contractions or affecting menstrual flow. Due to insufficient safety data regarding fetal development, pregnant women are strictly advised to avoid this herb. Nursing mothers should also exercise caution and seek professional medical advice before considering its use (Evidence Level: C).

What are the side effects and contraindications of Asian dandelion?

Common side effects of Taraxacum mongolicum include gastrointestinal upset, such as diarrhea or stomach cramping, due to its bitter constituents. Allergic reactions, including skin rashes, are possible, particularly in individuals with known allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family, such as ragweed. It is contraindicated for patients with bile duct obstruction or gallstones, as stimulating bile flow could exacerbate these conditions (Evidence Level: C).

Taraxacum mongolicum (Taraxacum mongolicum)

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Taraxacum mongolicum, commonly known as dandelion, is a medicinal and edible plant used in traditional Chinese medicine for its detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties [PMID:38191106, 40199407].

Background

Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz. is a species of the genus Taraxacum, widely utilized as a traditional Chinese medicine and functional food [PMID:35810695, 34710697]. It is recognized for its pharmacological properties, including clearing heat, detoxifying, diuresis, and resolving masses [PMID:38191106, 40199407].

Traditional uses

Historically used in China since the Han dynasty, it has been applied in 93 formulas to treat multiple diseases [PMID:35810695]. Traditional applications include the treatment of breast diseases (mastitis, breast abscess, and hyperplasia of mammary glands), inflammatory disorders, viral infectious diseases, kidney stones, constipation, eczema, and ulcers [PMID:33716082, 32708908, 41554454].

Active compounds

Bioactive constituents include polysaccharides, flavonoids, triterpenoids (such as taraxasterol), phenolic acids (including caffeic, chlorogenic, and ferulic acids), sesquiterpene lactones, sterols, alkaloids, volatile oils, and pigments [PMID:38191106, 40393639, 34710697, 32708908, 35724743].

Mechanism of action

Mechanisms include the inhibition of the RAC2/NF-κB p65/p38 MAPK pathway in breast cancer and tumor-associated macrophages [PMID:40199407], suppression of the IL-10/STAT3/PD-L1 signaling pathway [PMID:33716082], and inhibition of the TGFβ1/Smad signaling pathway to ameliorate benign prostatic hyperplasia [PMID:40393639]. Polysaccharides may regulate the AKT/mTOR pathway to reverse obesity [PMID:39408297] and the Akt/GSK-3β signaling via miR-134-3p to promote adipocyte browning [PMID:38000580].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DTriple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)

Extracts exert cytotoxic effects, induce apoptosis, and reduce cell proliferation in MDA-MB-231 cells [PMID:36233219]; they also disrupt interactions between TNBC cells and tumor-associated macrophages [PMID:40199407].

Evidence DNon-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Total flavonoids inhibit tumor growth and regulate immune function in vivo and in vitro [PMID:34384846].

Evidence DBenign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Total triterpenoids and taraxasterol ameliorate BPH by inhibiting androgen levels and inflammatory responses in rat models [PMID:40393639].

Evidence DAtopic Dermatitis

Water extract significantly alleviated clinical severity, skin lesion scores, and epidermal thickness in DNCB-induced mice [PMID:40724851].

Evidence DS. aureus-infected Mastitis

Extracts protect against mastitis by exerting anti-inflammatory roles via TLR2-NF-κB/MAPKs pathways in mice [PMID:33212175].

Evidence D

Evidence summary

The current evidence consists primarily of in vitro cell studies and in vivo animal models (mice, rats, poultry, and cattle), indicating strong pharmacological potential but lacking human clinical trial data.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 37071690 (2023) — Four sesquiterpenes isolated from Taraxacum mongolicum. · Journal of Asian natural products research
2.PMID: 35810695 (2022) — Exploration and validation of Taraxacum mongolicum anti-cancer effect. · Computers in biology and medicine
3.PMID: 40199407 (2025) — Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz. extract disrupts the interaction between triple-negative breast cancer cells and tumor-associated macrophages by inhibiting RAC2/NF-κB p65/p38 MAPK pathway. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
4.PMID: 40393639 (2025) — Taraxacum mongolicum total triterpenoids and taraxasterol ameliorate benign prostatic hyperplasia by inhibiting androgen levels, inflammatory responses, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition via the TGFβ1/Smad signalling pathway. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
5.PMID: 38191106

Taraxacum mongolicum

Sources & Citations

Ganoderma Tsugae

Sphaeranthus indicus

Origanum Minutiflorum

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources

Taraxacum mongolicum

Sources & Citations

Related Herbs

Ganoderma Tsugae

Sphaeranthus indicus

Origanum Minutiflorum

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources