Dangers/risks with drinking Dandelion tea?

[PunkRotten]

Hi,

I got a bag of dandelion root and it has a warning on it that is bugging me. It says: Contraindicated in blockage of the bile ducts, acute gallbladder inflammation, and intestinal blockage. Does this mean drinking this tea will cause these problems or if you have problems like these do not drink the tea?

[Arky]

It won't cause any of them, it just means don't drink it if you already have one of these conditions.

Dandelion root is a strong cholagogue (biliary stimulant) - therefore, if you already have problematic stones in the gallbladder and/or bile ducts, strong stimulation of bile release could lead to a painful 'attack' (worst-case scenario of which could be choledocholithiasis, potentially necessitating emergency surgery, but that is really a worst-case scenario only).

If you don't have these problems it's perfectly safe, although you should consume dandelion leaf or dandelion root only in moderation since the leaf is a powerful diuretic and the root (even in a healthy person) should not be used to stimulate the release of bile excessively frequently.

Dandelion root is also somewhat contraindicated for those with mercury intoxication, since it can increase stress upon the liver under this specialised circumstance, for reasons I won't elaborate upon here.

In moderation, though, for someone with no biliary or heavy metal issues, dandelion is very healthy. Leaf particularly good for the kidneys, root particularly good for the liver and gallbladder.