Homemade dandelion tea using fresh dandelions I picked earlier that day!
Who, as a child, picked these beautiful flowers out of the ground to give to mum, dad, grandma, or to simply blow the little white seeds everywhere while “making a wish”?
Who would have guessed this flower could be a superfood?!
The dandelion plant itself contains a range of nutrients, and the roots and leaves are good sources of vitamins A,C, K and B-vitamins, and minerals like magnesium, zinc, potassium, iron, calcium and choline. This plant has a long history of use as a herbal remedy.
It can also be used as a food source, as all parts of it can be eaten. The root is usually roasted and used in teas or simply consumed whole. The leaves go really well in salads or other meals requiring greens, and the flowers – while still yellow – can be eaten raw, cooked, or even made in wine!
Traditional cultures used dandelion to support hormonal and digestive health, lactation, or to help remedy conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Dandelion Benefits
Dandelion has many beneficial properties for the body, including:
1. Cleanses the Liver
In my interview with Dee (from FlowFit), she talked about the importance of the liver, and how it acts as the “gatekeeper” to the body, filtering out toxins, hormones, food, heavy metals, and other substances we come into contact with in our everyday lives. If the liver isn’t able to perform its job effectively, it can cause problems down the track. Dandelion is believed to help detoxify the liver. In one of Wellness Mama‘s articles, she notes:
The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that:
In the past, roots and leaves were used to treat liver problems. Native Americans also boiled dandelion in water and took it to treat kidney disease, swelling, skin problems, heartburn, and an upset stomach. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it has been used to treat stomach problems, appendicitis, and breast problems, such as inflammation or lack of milk flow. In Europe, dandelion was used in remedies for fever, boils, eye problems, diabetes, and diarrhoea.
In Dr. Axe‘s article, “Dandelion Tea for Liver Detox, Better Skin and Healthy Stomach,” Christine Ruggeri, CHHC shares how;
Dandelions aid our digestive system by maintaining the proper flow of bile. Dandelion tea or stems are also good vitamin C foods, which animal studies show may help with mineral absorption, reducing inflammation and preventing the development of disease.
2. Hormonal Balance
Dandelion’s ability to support natural detoxification systems in the body, and its rich source of nutrients, makes it a wonderful herb for balancing hormones, urinary infections, or recurring mastitis.
3. Improves Skin Health
Dandelion’s high levels of zinc and magnesium, and its ability to aid detoxification, makes it a wonderful herb for skin health. It can be taken in tea or capsule form, made into decoctions, tinctures, syrups, wines, skin healing salves and more.
Prevents Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections, bladder problems, kidney issues and possibly even cysts on reproductive organs can be helped by consuming dandelion tea. This is largely due to its diuretic properties.
According to Healthline:
Paired with another herb, uva ursi, dandelion roots and leaves may help prevent urinary tract infections. It’s believed this combination works because of anti-bacterial compounds in uva ursi, and the increased urination associated with dandelion.
Other wonderful benefits of dandelion, shared by Mommypotamus, are:
– Liver and gallbladder support due to the presence of bitter lactones
– Soothing skin irritations or using as a base for a sore muscle rub due to its anti-inflammatory properties
– Easing water retention thanks to its diuretic properties
– Skin clarity due to the detoxifying properties of the roots
– Supporting healthy respiratory function during allergy season due to the liver supporting properties of the roots
– Supporting healthy bowel function due to the bitter components
– Counteracting oxidative stress, a.k.a the production of free radicals that lead to accelerated aging and several disease processes
– Eye health due to the antioxidant lutein, which is is one of two major carotenoids found as a colour pigment in the human eye
– Digestion (helping to keep things moving, nutrient absorption)
– Gut microbiome diversity
Before we get started in learning how to make this nutritious dandelion tea – if you like what you’re seeing, subscribe to my email newsletter at the bottom of the page to keep up to date on the latest recipes, DIYs, gardening and health tips I share!!
Homemade Dandelion Tea made from Fresh Dandelions
I often make this tea at home, after collecting dandelions from my garden. I come inside, brew them up, and the tea’s ready to go!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh, clean dandelions (I use the whole plant)
- 4 cups filtered water
To make:
- Bring a saucepan filled with water to a boil, remove from heat and add the dandelions. Cover and allow to infuse for 3 hours or overnight.
- Strain out the dandelion (can compost) and reserve the liquid for your tea.
- Dilute the tea with water if the flavour is too strong.
Dandelion root also makes a wonderful coffee substitute when roasted and made into a dandelion latte.
If you gather wild-grown dandelions it’s important to make sure that the area has not been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides and that it doesn’t come from an area where pets have done their business.
Homemade dandelion tea tutorial
As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor before trying or using any new products. I am not a doctor. All opinions expressed are my own personal thoughts and feelings of the products mentioned. Check with your doctor or health practitioner if you are uncertain about trying out any of the products, recipes or tips mentioned in this post. While it’s generally considered safe to consume, those allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigold, chamomile, yarrow, daisies, or iodine may not be able to consume it.
Have you used dandelion before? What did you use it in? Share in the comments below.
Lots of love,
🖤 Vanessa
Source
Wells, Katie. (Updated: October 7, 2019). Dandelion Root: A Backyard Herb with Many Benefits. Wellness Mama. Retrieved from https://wellnessmama.com/5680/dandelion/
Schaefer, Anna. (Updated: February 8, 2019). 7 Ways Dandelion Tea Could Be Good for You. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/ways-dandelion-tea-could-be-good-for-your
Hill, Ansley, RD, LD. (July 18, 2018). 13 Potential Health Benefits of Dandelion. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/dandelion-benefits
Dandelion Tea: Is It Good for You?. WebMD. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/diet/dandelion-tea-is-it-good-for-you#1
Nall, Rachel, MSN, CRNA. (November 16, 2018). Dandelion tea benefits. Medical News Today. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323710
Ruggeri, Christine, CHHC. (September 16, 2019). Dandelion Tea for Liver Detox, Better Skin and Healthy Stomach. Dr. Axe. Retrieved from https://draxe.com/nutrition/dandelion-tea/
Butler, Natalie, RDN, LD. (Updated: March 19, 2020). 6 Science-Backed Benefits Of Dandelion Root Tea + How To Make It. Mind Body Green. Retrieved from https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7134/8-reasons-to-drink-dandelion-root-tea.html
Dessinger, Heather. Benefits of Dandelion For Detox, Digestion & Hormone Balance. Mommypotamus. Retrieved from https://mommypotamus.com/dandelion/