Back in the day, dandelions were looked down upon as it was categorized as nothing but a pesky weed that keeps on growing back no matter how hard one tries to get rid of it! It is a resilient plant and has lots of health benefits to offer when one brews a cup of tea using the plant’s leaves, flowers, or dried roots. Here’s more to it –
What is Dandelion Tea?
Dandelion tea is a highly nutritious and beneficial herbal drink that is made using the dried/fresh leaves, flowers, and roots of the namesake plant. The tea is primarily consumed for its proven diuretic properties. It is also capable of offering relief to individuals suffering from the gall bladder and liver problems. (Reference- Dandelion Tea Helps Improve Your Liver Function, Digestion And More, ProHealth, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)
4 Incredible Health Benefits of Dandelion Tea, Little letters linked, Google Images, licensed under CC BY 2.0
What is the history of Dandelion Tea?
Susanna Moodie in her memoir, ‘Roughing it in the bush’ first explained how to make ‘coffee’ using dried dandelion roots, in the year 1852. Our best guess, it is her version of explaining dandelion tea! Fast-forward to the year 1919, the root of the dandelion plant was finally recognized as a means to make cheap coffee and a potent herbal cup of tea, with lots of health benefits! (Reference- Dandelion coffee, Wikipedia, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Dandelion Tea Benefits, lastea, Google images, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Furthermore, dandelion and the tea made from its different parts find honorary mention on several occasions in 10th and 11th century writings about traditional medicine found in Middle Eastern countries. The herb was also one of the primary ingredients in traditional Chinese Medicine concocted for liver problems and related health issues! (Reference- Dandelion Tea Helps Improve Your Liver Function, Digestion And More, ProHealth, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)
What are the benefits of Dandelion Tea?
Dandelion tea benefits are many. Some of them are as follows -
- Dandelion root tea benefits people who want to reduce their water weight and improve their health. In case a person is feeling bloated, they can drink a cup or two of this herbal tea and reduce water weight through frequent urination. Dandelion tea, as mentioned earlier, is clinically proven for its diuretic properties.
- Dandelion tea is often described as a ‘liver tonic’ for people who suffer from or are prone to liver issues. According to some studies, it is seen that drinking this tea increases the flow of bile from the liver thus promoting detoxification of the organ! A study conducted in 2017 suggests that dandelion tea is packed with polysaccharides that promote the healthy functioning of the liver.
- Dandelion tea cancer fighting abilities are slowly seeing the light of day thanks to a study that looked into the cancer-fighting potential of dandelion roots! The study took place in 2011 in Canada where it was witnessed in real-time how dandelion root extracts can induce cell death in melanoma cells without affecting healthy cells! More research is necessary but preliminary results are promising enough! (Reference- 7 Ways Dandelion Tea Could Be Good for You, HealthLine, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Benefits of Dandelion Tea, lybrate, Google Image Licensed under CC BY 2.0
What does Dandelion Tea taste like?
The tea is palatable and tastes heavenly when one adds a teaspoon of honey in their cup! It has a fairly strong flavor and sweet taste especially when it is made using fresh dandelion flowers instead of its roots or leaves. (Reference- Dandelion Tea for Fluid Retention, Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar and More!, Fresh Bites Daily, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)
What are the side effects of Dandelion Tea?
- Dandelion tea may or may not slow the rate of blood clotting hence in case you recently had a cut or you are prone to bleeding disorders, be sure to steer clear of this tea!
- Dandelion tea may or may not instigate allergic reactions in people who are generally allergic to ragweed and related plants!
- Dandelion tea if taken excessively could reduce the rate of oxalate that is being passed through your urine. Hence, drinking the tea in limited amounts is the way one can steer clear from kidney issues. (Reference- Dandelion, RxList, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)
What are the different recipes for Dandelion Tea?
1. Dandelion Green Tea
Dandelion Green tea is pleasingly bitter in taste and comes with hints of nuttiness. It is rich in antioxidants and fiber content that helps one lose weight, digest food well, and detoxify the digestive system effectively to make one feel lighter with every cup. (Reference- 4 Easy Methods to Make Healthy Dandelion Tea and 13 Recipes to Try Out, Morning Chores, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Ingredients
- Young dandelion leaves – 6 nos.
- Water – 4 cups
- Honey – one teaspoon or more. It depends on your taste.
Instructions
- Boil the water in a saucepan and add six leaves in the same.
- Cover the mixture and turn off the heat.
- Let the mixture steep for ten minutes.
- Strain, add honey, and enjoy!
2. Roasted Dandelion Root Tea
Roasted Dandelion Root Tea stimulates the liver and supports healthy digestion.(Reference- How To Make Dandelion Tea - Recipes And Benefits, Topic Tea, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Ingredients
- One quart of water.
- Dried dandelion root chunks or powder.
- Honey – depends on how sweet you want your cup of dandelion tea!
Instructions
- Boil the water in a saucepan.
- Add the dandelion root chunks. In the case of dandelion root powder, add not more than two teaspoons of it in the boiling water.
- Cover the pot for one minute. Do not turn off the heat!
- Turn off the heat and let the mixture sit idle for about 40 minutes.
- Strain, add honey, and enjoy!
3. Iced Lime Dandelion Tea
This simple dandelion tea recipe combines fresh dandelion flowers with lime juice for a refreshing and healthy herbal drink. (Reference- Iced Lime Dandelion Tea Recipe, Wellness Mama, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Ingredients
- Fresh dandelion flowers – 1 qt
- Hot water – one cup
- 2 - 3 tablespoons of honey
- Half a cup of dried red raspberry leaf
- Around 3 quarts of cold water
- Juice from 4 limes
Instructions
- Place the dandelion flowe
- rs in a colander. Use only the petals of the flower and discard the green parts of the same!
- Pour the hot water into a cup over the dried red raspberry leaf.
- Add honey
- Let the mixture steep for 8 minutes and then strain the herbs.
- Pour the mixture into a gallon-sized jar.
- Add the lime juice and then add cool water.
- Stir well.
- Add the dandelion flowers.
- Refrigerate the mixture for 4 hours and serve.
What is the recipe for classic Dandelion Tea?
Classic Dandelion Tea is a very popular herbal tea. You can drink it everyday and improve on your health.
Dandelion Tea Could Be Good for You, Healthline, Google Images, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Ingredients
- Fresh dandelion flowers – 2 cups
- Water – 4 cups
- Honey
Instructions
- Place the dandelion flowers in a saucepan.
- Add water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Cover the same and turn off the heat.
- Let the flowers infuse in the water for about three hours. You can also let it steep for the whole night given you like your cup of dandelion tea strong!
- Dilute it by adding water or honey if the taste is too strong.
- Enjoy!
recipe of classic Dandelion Tea, craftylittlegnome, Google Image Licensed under CC BY 2.0
How much Dandelion Tea should you drink?
Not more than three cups (30 ml in each cup) a day! (Reference- Do Your Body a Favor and Detoxify With Dandelion Tea, DandelionTea.org, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Can you drink Dandelion Tea every day?
Yes, you can drink dandelion tea every day given you stick to the limit mentioned in the previous section! (Reference- 7 Ways Dandelion Tea Could Be Good for You, HealthLine, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Does Dandelion Tea reduce belly fat?
A recent study in South Korea suggests that dandelion tea weight loss benefits are similar to the drug Orlistat – a weight-loss promoting medication! The test was conducted on mice which is why further studies need to be conducted to prove definitively that dandelion tea reduces belly fat and promotes weight loss! (Reference- 7 Ways Dandelion Tea Could Be Good for You, HealthLine, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Dandelion Tea with Honey, Eurofins, Google Images, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best way to drink dandelion tea? The best way to consume dandelion tea is to brew it fresh and drink it after it got cold. One can also enjoy this tea when it is lukewarm! (Reference- Dandelion Tea Helps Improve Your Liver Function, Digestion And More, ProHealth, Retrieved on 1 January 2024). Adding natural taste enhancers like lemon, cinnamon or honey could also play tango with your taste buds!
- Is it safe to consume dandelion tea? It is safe to consume dandelion tea given one is consuming it in regulated amounts. Overdoing it could result in some serious side effects like the ones mentioned in the sections above!. Furthermore, excessive consumption of this tea could trigger allergic reactions in individuals who are allergic to dandelions, in particular! (Reference- Dandelion Tea Helps Improve Your Liver Function, Digestion And More, ProHealth, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)
- Is it safe for pregnant women to consume dandelion tea? Dandelion tea, although rich in vitamin A and calcium should be avoided by pregnant women in case they are experiencing side effects like excessive urination. It is a natural diuretic which is why, if an expecting mother is drinking this tea, should regulate the dosage cautiously! For the best results, it is recommended that one consults with their doctor before brewing a cup! (Reference- Which Herbal Teas Are Safe to Drink During Pregnancy?, HealthLine, Retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Dandelion tea is yet another herbal tea that was selected by our tea curators here at teacurry.com . This beneficial tea has both up and downsides. It all boils down to the fact that you are not drinking too much or too little of it! On that note, do not fail to consult with your dietitian or doctor before you start consuming dandelion tea every day, for the best results. Feel free to share your experiences, suggestion, and opinion on this post in the comments section below. We love to hear from you! Let’s connect!
