Dandelions everywhere!!! Dandelion tea and Root Coffee
Yes you can use the dandelions to help detox your body, only if the dandelions and soil have not been sprayed with any toxic sprays. Here is how to use the leaves (fresh or dried) as tea and roasted roots for a healthy version of coffee.
My husband bought me this dandelion puller that works great! Most of the time I get the root out! Super easy if the soil is a little damp. You want to do this in the spring and take off the flowers of the plant. Dry the leaves and root as one. I clean the roots by just rubbing them with my thumbs, getting the dirt off that way. A little dirt is fine.
I cut of the root and roasted the cut up roots for 10 min at 325F. Watch the oven while roasting the roots. It may need less or more time depending on how dry your roots are prior to roasting, this may depend on where you live (moisture in the air). If you are roasting the roots right after you pulled them, then it will need more time, try 20-40 minutes and watch. Try not to burn theroots, just roast, if you have smoke reduce temperature by 50F or take it out.
Now you can use the leaves as a loose leaf tea to make dandelion tea. I keep it simple and put the leaves and stems as cut off from the root directly into the hot water, let steep and use a strainer to pour into my cup. Use the Infusion method below for leaf tea and decoctions for roots, also see recipe for roots below.
Dandelion Benefits
Dandelions are known to help detox us. Leaf tea infusion acts as a diuretic with replenishing minerals and vitamins, helps balance blood pressure and fluid retention related to premenstrual, reduces effects of airplane travel (remember that), removes waste for arthritis, gout, uric acid buildup and other degenerative disorders. Roots detox elimination organs including colon, kidneys, liver and supports liver function. Do not use if you have gallbladder stones or active blockage of bile ducts cause stimulates liver and increases bile. Use as a perimenopause (start at 30) to Menopause use tea or tincture for liver support for breaking down circulating hormones. The root contains have inulin (FOS) so read good gut health bacteria which helps our digestion.
Try it weekly or try it for 10 days or in the spring for a cleanse, just give it a try!
You can also buy Dandelion tea or roots at your health food store.
For a better coffee replacement, add chickory root with roasted dandelion root.
Attention
Some people may be allergic to dandelions, dandelion is part of the Asteraceae family. Dandelion name comes from French dent de lion meaning “lion’s tooth” referring to the jagged leaves, also known as Taraxacum officinale.
| TREATMENT – Tea – Infusions – Tea Brewing 101 – 1 heaping tsp/ cup 3-4 cups/day – also freezie, smoothie, soup, stew | Method 1 – Boil water – place herbs (with lid on to contain volatile oils) and pour boiling water over herbs. Cover and steep 10-15 min. Strain.Method 2 For a more concentrated tea, steep tea overnight in a thermos or reheat on the stove in the morning. The tea will be potent medicine. Add blends to mask tart and bitter plant parts. Aromatic herbs include rose hips, stevia, chamomile, pineapple week, fennel, spearmint, rose, lavendar, caraway, ginger, cinnamon, star anise, fennel and lemon balm. |
| TREATMENT – Tea – Decoctions – Tea Brewing 101 – 1 heaping tsp/ cup 3-4 cups/day – also freezie, smoothie, soup, stew | Method 1 – Add cold water to a pot on the stove and add in the herbs, then boil. Reduce temp to low simmer, cover, 15-20 min. Strain and Drink. Method 2 – Boil water, reduce heat to low & simmer, and add herbs. Lid on, simmer 15-20 min. Strain and drink. Method 3 – Overnight brewing to create a stronger more potent medicine – decoct as per Method 1 or 2 then let sit overnight. It is possible that the plants can be reused. Decoctions extract plant chemicals from harder, solid plant material such as root, nuts, bark and unscented seeds. Couple exceptions –> seeds and roots are high in volatile oils ie) caraway seeds & valerian roots are better infused to ensure the volatile oils do not evaporate during the preparation process. |
ADDITIONAL INFO:
Main Action of Dandelion
Dandelions are choleretic, antilithic, diuretic, nutritive, alternative, bitter tonic, mild laxative. Dandelion can balance the fluids of the body & it’s liver and kidney tonic.
It contains: sesquiterpene lactones, triterpenoids (beta-Sitosteroil, taraxol), phenolic acids, carotenoids (lutein), inulin, pectin, acids (linolenic acid, linoleic, oleic), potassium, vit A, resin, phytosterols. Additional minerals: iron, calcium, magnesium, and additional vitamins C, K, D, folate and some B.
References:
The Good Living Guide to Natural and Herbal Remedies, Katolen Yardley
And Mountain States Medicinal Plants, Briana Wiles
Dandelion Roots
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups water In a pot to boil
- 2 tbsp dandelion root
- 1 cinnamon stick or more
- 2-4 cardamon seeds or 1 tsp fennel seeds
Instructions
- Boil water. Add ingredients, continue to boil for 10-20 minutes. This taste great even without the dandelion roots if you decided not to do this but was interested (cinnamon and cardamon).
