In short
Taraxacum officinale Ø, known as common dandelion, is a herbal substance traditionally used in Herbal Medicine for digestive complaints and as a diuretic. It is currently being studied in a Phase 3 clinical trial for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The trial includes 106 participants and compares dandelion drops against placebo to measure changes in gastrointestinal discomfort.
Key points
- Taraxacum officinale Ø is a herbal substance from the common dandelion plant, used traditionally for digestive and urinary complaints.
- A Phase 3 trial is investigating whether dandelion drops can reduce gastrointestinal discomfort in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- The trial includes 106 participants and compares the herbal preparation with a placebo.
- Treatment lasts 8 weeks, with discomfort measured weekly on a visual analogue scale.
- The trial is currently authorised but not yet completed.
What is Taraxacum officinale Ø?
Taraxacum officinale Ø is a herbal substance prepared from the common dandelion plant. The source material can be the leaf, root, or whole plant, used either dry or fresh. The plant is also known by the common names dandelion and lion's-tooth. In the clinical trial registry, the substance appears as Amara-Tropfen Dilution, a liquid preparation given by mouth. Taraxacum officinale is not listed in these records as an authorised medicine; it is a traditional herbal preparation under investigation for irritable bowel syndrome.
How does Taraxacum officinale Ø work?
In traditional Herbal Medicine, dandelion leaf is used to increase the amount of urine to achieve flushing of the urinary tract, and as a diuretic. The leaf is also traditionally used as a laxative or aperient, and as a choleretic to help increase bile flow. For digestive complaints, dandelion is traditionally used to help treat or relieve digestive troubles such as upset stomach, indigestion, and dyspepsia. The root is traditionally used as an alterative to help relieve dermatological conditions such as eczema. The mechanism by which dandelion might reduce gastrointestinal discomfort in irritable bowel syndrome is not described in the available sources.
Which conditions is Taraxacum officinale Ø used or studied for?
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) — the condition being investigated in the Phase 3 clinical trial, with a focus on reducing gastrointestinal discomfort.
- Minor urinary complaints — dandelion leaf is traditionally used to increase urine output as an adjuvant in minor urinary complaints.
- Digestive troubles — the leaf is traditionally used to help relieve upset stomach, indigestion, and dyspepsia.
- Dermatological conditions — the root is traditionally used to help relieve skin conditions such as eczema.
How is Taraxacum officinale Ø given?
Taraxacum officinale is given by mouth. In the clinical trial, the preparation is a liquid dilution called Amara-Tropfen, administered orally. The monograph for dandelion lists acceptable oral dosage forms, including dry and fresh preparations of the leaf, root, and whole plant. The exact dose used in the trial is not reported in the registry record.
What do the clinical trials show?
One clinical trial is registered for Taraxacum officinale Ø in irritable bowel syndrome. The trial is a Phase 3 interventional study with 106 participants. It compares Amara-Tropfen Dilution against placebo. The trial is currently authorised but not yet completed.
The main outcome measure is the change in intensity of gastrointestinal discomfort, assessed using a weekly mean of a visual analogue scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 100 mm, where 0 means no discomfort and 100 means the most intense discomfort. The measurement compares the baseline value, recorded during the 7 days before randomisation, with the treatment weeks 1 through 8. The trial aims to investigate the efficacy of the herbal preparation compared to placebo in patients with IBS.
What side effects are known?
The available sources do not report specific side effects for Taraxacum officinale Ø. The monograph for dandelion does not list adverse effects in the provided content. No safety data from the clinical trial are reported in the registry record.