Q. I discovered after eating dandelion greens that they act as a mild diuretic. I confirmed my experience through a web search. I also discovered that they provide a rich source of vitamins and minerals. I am wondering if their diuretic properties would help to lower blood pressure. I could not find any information to confirm this hypothesis. Also, would dandelion supplements work as well as freshly cooked dandelion greens?
A. Eating dandelion greens might seem strange to some Americans, but they are quite nutritious. They have had a reputation as a mild diuretic for decades. A small study in 2009 suggested that there is some basis for this belief (Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, August). Although some sources suggest dandelion might lower blood pressure, we could find no clinical studies to support that claim.
The People's Perspective on Medicine