Dandelion Tea - A Health Powerhouse

Dandelion Tea Uses and Preparation

You could think of dandelion tea as a delicious cup of healthy goodness.

Dandelion has many properties that make it an excellent candidate for your healthy detox lifestyle. It has been used for thousands of years for food in addition to an excellent herbal remedy for dozens of ailments.

The entire plant is packed full of nutrients and healthy properties. So much so that I’d consider dandelion as a detox powerhouse. You can use dandelion leaves, roots and even the flowers for different reasons. Each has health benefits.

It’s possible to eat the leaves, in a salad or as greens. You can make tea from the leaves or the roots, and dandelion wine has been made for centuries. The leaves are also a wonderful addition to a smoothie, or your daily juice.

So, next time you look at the dandelions in your lawn, or your garden, don’t think of them as weeds, think of them as a gift from the earth.

Nutrients in Dandelion

The leaves and roots of the dandelion have a long list of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and other nutrients that make it one of natures wonders.

Drinking Tea Try Dandelion Tea

In the dandelion you’ll find:

More Vitamin A than carrots, Vitamins C, D and B Complex
Minerals, including Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, Potassium, Manganese, Copper and Calcium
Choline
Boron
Silicon
Taraxacin, which is a hepatic stimulant (liver)
Insulin
Lacvulin
Phytosterols, which prevent the body from accumulating cholesterols
Potash, which is a diuretic.
Lecithin, contained in the flowers, elevates the brains acetylcholine and may help curb Alzheimer's disease. Lecithin is also good for liver problems.
Phenolic acids
Asparagines
Lutien – in the leaves
Pectin
Glycosides
Inulin
Sterols

Health Benefits of Dandelion

The dandelion has components that cause the liver to release bile into the gallbladder, helping you to digest fat. It also helps the kidneys by its natural diuretic action. And although it helps the kidneys to release salt and water, it actually replaces potassium lost by increased urine volume.

Also, because dandelion assists the kidneys with elimination of water and salts, it helps to stabilize blood pressure. It helps with weight loss as well. In scientific studies, Taraxacum officinalis (Dandelion) had a positive effect on weight management.

And to top it all off, dandelion has properties that help to purify the skin.

Externally, you can cool the tea and use it on scars and inflammation of the skin. It has been known to cure warts and blisters.

Similar to the effects of burdock, the roots of the dandelion can help the skin get rid of bacteria. It has been used to help with joint inflammation, jaundice, indigestion, eczema, anemia, boils, breast tumors, cirrhosis of the liver, abscesses, hepatitis, constipation, fluid retention and heartburn.

Preparation of dandelion tea

If you choose to harvest your own dandelion, make certain no pesticides have been applied.

This can cause the poisons to be ingested when you drink the tea. You should harvest dandelion in the spring before the flowers appear, or in the late fall. Late fall is a good time because the cool weather causes the bitterness to be less.

Young plants are best, grown in rich soil.

Use six leaves for each cup of tea, torn in small pieces and placed in a cup or teapot. Pour six or eight ounces of boiling water over the leaves for each cup of tea you are making. Let it sit for about ten minutes, then strain it carefully.

You can add a little honey or sugar to make it sweeter. Stevia is a good sweetener also.

Dandelion tea can be purchased at the grocery store or health food store, or you can buy it online.