The coffee swap
Dandelion root tea or roasted root
A gentle bitter that can help digestion. Roasted root also stands in for coffee.
Good for: Gas & bloating
What variations of dandelion exist?
A common plant whose bitter root and leaves are used for digestion. The leaf acts as a mild diuretic, and the root is traditionally used to support the liver and bile flow. Research in people is limited. It comes in 3 forms, and they aren't all the same. Here's how they differ.
For education only. What's right for you depends on your health and your medications, so check with your provider before you start or switch. Book a consult
Our top pick
Every form, in plain words
The coffee swap
Dandelion root tea or roasted root
A gentle bitter that can help digestion. Roasted root also stands in for coffee.
Good for: Gas & bloating
The water one
Dandelion leaf tea or tincture
The part used to help your body shed a little extra water.
The grab-and-go one
Capsules or extracts
Convenient, though few have been studied.
Spotting a good one on the shelf
Look for
- Look for 'Dandelion root tea or roasted root' on the label (the coffee swap)
Watch out for
- Doesn't say whether it's leaf or root (they're used for different things)
Check with your provider first if…
- You're allergic to ragweed, daisies, marigolds, or related plants
- You take 'water pills' or lithium (its water-shedding effect may change lithium levels)
- You have kidney disease, or take potassium-sparing 'water pills' (the leaf is high in potassium)
- You have gallstones or a blocked bile duct
Ready to find the root cause?
Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.