Dandelion Tea Benefits

If you have been hearing about dandelion tea and you want to know more, you’re in the right place. Dandelion can be incredibly beneficial and in this blog post we are going to tell you the biggest health benefits of drinking dandelion root tea so you can really get to know this root. In this post we will be covering:

• What Is Dandelion Tea?

• Dandelion Tea Benefits

• Dandelion Root for Liver

• Dandelion Tea Side Effects + Who Should Avoid It

• Dandelion Tea Vs. Other Herbal Teas (milk thistle, nettle)

• How to make Dandelion tea (DIY vs. Pre-Made)

• Where To Buy Dandelion Tea

What Is Dandelion Tea?

Dandelion tea is the extraction created from brewing dandelion root with hot water. Dandelion tea is sometimes used as a coffee substitute because of its earthy, roasted flavor, however it is caffeine free, and has its own unique flavor profile. Other than the root, the entire dandelion plant is technically edible, and many people eat the cooked greens of dandelion, or even make dandelion “wine” from the flowers. This entire plant is versatile and often overlooked, being labeled as a weed, but the nutrients in this plant make this one a powerhouse, as you will learn!

Dandelion Tea Benefits

Dandelion tea for digestion and gut health

Dandelion is great for overall health, and the first reason for that is because of its affect on digestion and gut health. Dandelion is considered a bitter herb. This means, that when consumed, it helps saliva production, and stimulates digestive juices and enzymes. These are all needed to promote healthy digestion and gut health. Dandelion root also contains inulin, a pre-biotic, which helps promote good gut bacteria.

Dandelion tea for skin heath

Dandelion root contains beneficial anti-inflammatory qualities that can help with glowing skin by boosting collagen production and contain vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are important antioxidants for the skin and aid in growth and repair. They also play a vital role in reducing the appearance of wrinkles and aid in wound healing.

Dandelion and the immune system

Dandelions have both anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties and there have been studies that have shown dandelion can even limit the growth of Hepatitis B. The vitamin A in dandelion can increase the activity of immune cells too.

Dandelion Root for Liver

Hormone balance

Have you ever heard that excess estrogen can wreak havoc on the body? Using dandelion leaf and root can help the body to “flush out” excess estrogen and give your body a chance to balance hormones. There are many ways to detox estrogen and one of the best is by increasing liver function.

Dandelion can also help the body with the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. One of the best ways to keep hormones balanced is by maintaining stable blood sugar. When the pancreas is happy and releasing insulin with ease, and sugar can have easy access to cells, blood sugar levels stay steady. It’s important to note that combining dandelion with a healthy diet and walking after meals can greatly help blood sugar levels as well.

Detox

The liver is a vital organ when it comes to detoxing the body. The liver processes blood and filters out not only excess estrogen, but waste products and toxins. Dandelion has a gentle diuretic effect on the liver and promotes bile secretion and digestion to get things moving. When our liver and digestive system are backed up or working slowly, we feel the effects through acne, bloating, fatigue and more.

Dandelion Tea Side Effects + Who Should Avoid It

Note: Dandelions are related to other plants such as marigold, daisies chrysanthemums, and ragweed. If you have an allergy to any of these, please avoid dandelions or use with caution.

Dandelion is generally considered safe to those who drink it, but there are some precautions to take if you are taking blood thinners. Dandelion also has diuretic affects and can cause excess urination. Those who suffer from kidney medical issues should consult their doctor before using. Some individuals experience digestive upset or diarrhea when using dandelion as well.

Dandelion Tea Vs. Other Herbal Teas (Milk Thistle, Stinging Nettle)

There are other herbs that may offer similar benefits as dandelion so lets break them down.

Milk Thistle - This herb can help with damage done to the liver, contains strong antioxidants that can help with immune system function. Milk thistle can be taken as a tea, tincture, or in capsule form.

Stinging Nettle - Once cooked or dried, stinging nettle loses its “sting” and becomes a potent medicinal herb. Nettles act as a diuretic just like dandelion, and especially when freeze-dried, can have a powerful effect on limiting the body’s histamine response. Nettle Tea is a great way to enjoy this herb if you don’t know how to identify it and harvest it fresh.

Therefore, these herbs all contain health benefits. In fact, many dandelion tinctures contain milk thistle, as they are powerful when combined. It’s amazing how helpful herbs can be in solving everyday health problems!

How to make Dandelion tea

When harvesting dandelion root, it’s very important to forage from locations where you know for sure the dandelions or surrounding areas haven’t been sprayed with herbicides or other chemicals. Many times, dandelions are seen as a nuisance, and people will try to eradicate them by any means other than digging them up. If you have a location that is clean and clear of chemical sprays, it’s best to dig up the dandelion with a trowel, and ideally before it has flowered in the spring before the plant has used up it’s energy and the root becomes woody. Scrub the roots well to ensure there is no more dirt on them, and dry them in a dehydrator, or lay them out on a sheet pan to dry in a well ventilated area, stirring occasionally to increase dehydration. From there you can roast them over medium heat in a pan and either store them or add water to make the dandelion tea right away.

Where To Buy Dandelion Tea

If you’re looking for an instant dandelion tea, Dandy Blend is a really great instant tea. It’s not only made with dandelion, but with rye and barley for a rich, grab-and-go type of tea.

Another great dandelion tea combines dandelion root with other bitter herbs like chicory and burdock root. The best part is that this tea contains wild harvested burdock root and organic dandelion which means it hasn’t been sprayed with herbicides which is a common concern when harvesting dandelion yourself. This tea contains cacao and vanilla powder too, and makes a great “coffee like” drink.

In this blog post we have primarily covered dandelion tea, but another way to fully enjoy the benefits of dandelion is through a bitters tincture, especially one that contains other digestive herbs like fenugreek and ginger.

As you can see, there are so many reasons to try dandelion. Once you start using this plant, it’s hard to ignore the plethora of benefits it has to offer. Have you tried dandelion? Let me know in the comments and share your favorite way to use this herb!