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Dandelion Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings

Possible internal and external allergic reactions to dandelion.
- Arch Dermatol 1999 Jan;135(1):67-70 -- Allergic contact and photoallergic contact dermatitis to plant and pesticide allergens. -- Mark KA, Brancaccio RR, Soter NA, Cohen DE.

Three patients are presented who ingested a health food known as "bee pollen" and who experienced an immediate allergic reaction. Examination revealed that the bee pollen contained dandelion pollen, which belongs to the Compositae family as does ragweed. In vivo and in vitro studies demonstrated that the patients were sensitive to several Compositae family members, rather than to insect-derived antigens. In addition, radioallergosorbent inhibition studies confirmed the suspected cross-reactivity between the health food and Compositae pollens. This study indicates that atopic individuals may experience anaphylaxis from ingestion of antigens in certain food stuffs that cross-react with pollens to which they are sensitive.
- J Allergy Clin Immunol 1979 Oct;64(4):270-4 -- Acute allergic reaction after composite pollen ingestion. -- Cohen SH, Yunginger JW, Rosenberg N, Fink JN.

Dandelion is a powerful diuretic and may possess blood sugar modulating activity.
- 5. Akhtar MS, Khan QM, Khaliq T. Effects of Portulaca oleracae (Kulfa) and Taraxacum officinale (Dhudhal) in normoglycaemic and alloxan-treated hyperglycaemic rabbits. J Pak Med Assoc 1985;35:207-210.

However, a report documenting an anaphylactic reaction in an atopic patient following the oral ingestion of an herbal combination containing Taraxacum officinale indicates a possible need for caution. In this case, the herbal compound was found to have trace amounts of pollen from Taraxacum officinale and several other medicinal plants which resulted in this systemic reaction.
- 15. Chivato T, Juan F, Montoro A, Laguna R. -- Anaphylaxis induced by ingestion of a pollen compound. -- J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 1996;6:208-209.

last update: March 2010

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