Learn the Health Benefits of Dandelion Tea
Dandelion Tea
Dandelions are believed to have evolved about 30 million years ago and have been used as a herbal remedy for much of recorded history.
The leaves and roots, fresh or dried, are used to make dandelion tea.
Dandelion tea contains substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, and E, potassium, calcium, zinc, iron, and magnesium. Dandelion leaves have more beta carotene than carrots.
Health Benefits of Dandelion Tea
• Dandelion tea is particularly helpful in treating liver problems (due largely to a substance known as taraxacin). It can improve liver function, reduce inflammation of the bile duct, and may help prevent gallstones. It has been used to treat disorders such as jaundice and hepatitis.
• Dandelion tea is one of the most effective herbal diuretics. It increases urine output and also replaces potassium lost in the urine.
• Dandelion tea contains antioxidants and can help boost the immune system to fight off bacteria and viruses.
Other benefits of dandelion tea include helping with weight loss, improving blood circulation, reducing blood cholesterol, and decreasing inflammation related to rheumatism and arthritis. It is also thought to help bladder and kidney stones.
Preparing Dandelion Tea
Dandelion tea is strong and has a bitter taste. Leaves harvested in late fall (after a frost) are less bitter. Another good time to harvest is in the spring, before the flowers bloom.
Choose plants that are young, have broad leaves, and grown in moist and rich soil.
Preparing dandelion tea:
- In a pot, boil 1 quart of water
- reduce the heat
- add 2 tablespoons of fresh dandelion roots (cleaned and chopped)
- cover and simmer for a minute
- remove the pot from the heat source
- add 2 tablespoons of dandelion leaves (freshly picked and chopped)
- steep for 40 minutes
- strain.
Another way to prepare dandelion tea:
- Add a handful of dandelion flowers (freshly picked) in a pint of hot water, cover, steep for 20 minutes, and strain.
To get the best health benefits of dandelion tea, store herbs in a cool, dry place.
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This post is part of the series: Herbal Teas
Health benefits of herbal teas.