Did you know that those pesky dandelions growing in your yard are edible?
AND they are actually GOOD for your health. They can even help with weight loss!
Depending on where you live, they can be referred to as puff balls or swine snouts, and many other names. Dandelion was first used in Greece by the locals for its mild laxative effects. However it does not produce the typical laxative effects that we are familiar with. Instead, as a bitter it helps improve fat digestion and also helps you excrete excess water-a natural diuretic.
Old books about herbal and holistic medicine state that in order to have a shiny complexion, women used to create an infusion by boiling the herb and its root components. The herb has been used for in traditional medicine for centuries to promote good health and wellbeing. Moreover, scientific evidence is starting to show why dandelion root is so healthy for humans.
Dandelion tea is prepared from the roots or the yellow flowers of the dandelion weed. Roasted dandelion root tea has been used in traditional medicine to alleviate the mild symptoms of frequent urination and poor bladder control. From the eastern medicine point of view, this super herb has many beneficial qualities- such as alakalizing, diuretic, venotonic, choleretic, cholagogus and astringency. Tarazaxina, sterols, tannins, reshines, pectins and other nutrients are active compounds found in the roots as well as the leaves of the plant.
Health Benefits of Dandelion Tea
Liver and Gall Bladder Benefits
Our liver is an extremely vital organ that helps in cleansing and detoxifying your body. It helps in eliminating toxins and promoting healthy digestion. Because of the diuretic action, it is beneficial for “flushing out” the liver, kidneys and bladder. The cholagogue properties that help in improving bile levels in the body are due to the presence of taraxacin found in roots of the plant. The buildup of harmful material in the gall bladder can reduce contraction which results in less bile being released to break down fats and to remove cholesterol from the body. Consuming the root benefits the body by easing digestion through the break down of fats.
What does dandelion do to benefit our overall health?
Today’s fast food culture and sedentary lifestyle has taken a toll on our health. Due to lack of exercise, our digestive system might not be in the best shape! This leads to gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, bloating, flatulence and more symptoms. It acts as mild laxative and helps to soften stool.
By improving bile production in the body, this herbal tea also promotes healthy metabolism of fats. This also stimulates your natural appetite and improves digestive health. Moreover, the plant is also a source of vitamin.
Dandelion Root Aids in Weight Loss!
Just like other herbal teas, dandelion root tea is extremely beneficial for those who are looking for a healthy and safe weight loss treatment. By removing toxins from the body and strengthening liver function, it helps the body process fats in the food. This prevents deposition of extra fat deposits, which are used for energy consumption instead of turning into those excess fat deposits around the waist! It also enhances our body metabolism, which in turn helps in accelerating fat burning.
In general it is recommended to drink a few cups per day for the best weight loss. Drinking dandelion in a tea bag form is much better than a weight loss drug! In this case, more is not better. This makes it a great way to aid in your overall health goals, but you shouldn't go overboard.
In case you didn't know, dandelion is a natural diuretic, which means you'll want to drink more water to help flush out the toxins!
Enhances Kidney Functioning
Dandelion root tea is a powerful diuretic. This is likely due to the potassium content of the root. It promotes the healthy functioning of kidneys, liver and gall bladder.
Kidneys help in eliminating waste products from the body. Proper kidney functioning is essential for healthy living. The roots of the dandelion herb contain active ingredients called sesquiterpene lactones, which improve the cleansing action of nephrons in kidneys. This in turn leads to increased elimination of excess sodium and chloride from the body via frequent urination. It is important that you drink enough water to compensate for the loss through your increased bathroom breaks.
This ‘Super Root’ Improves Skin Health
Dandelion works wonderfully for skin conditions. Due to its antibacterial properties, it helps in reducing acne outbreaks. It helps to alleviate the symptoms of painful irritation and swelling on the skin.
As it is rich in antioxidants, it helps in fighting the free radicals that cause many signs of ageing. Thus, by drinking one cup of herbal tea daily, you are delaying the effects of aging and keeping your skin looking young and gorgeous.
Enhances Female Health
Dandelion is known as women’s remedy as it is used to treat several female reproductive problems. Women who experience severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) often find drinking an herbal tea helps relieve painful symptoms. According to studies, the herb helps to maintain normal hormone balance, which in turn helps in reducing the symptoms associated with PMS. It has also been found to discourage the growth of yeast infections.
Improve your Heart Health with Dandelion Tea
Dandelion has been used in Chinese medicine to treat various heart conditions. According to a study published in "The International Journal of Molecular Sciences" in January of 2010, dandelion root has been found to lower cholesterol levels in rabbits. These heart health promoting benefits of dandelion root come from antioxidant compounds called polyphenols and flavonoids.
Dandelion, a Rich Source of Nutrients
Apart from its medicinal properties, dandelion is rich source of nutrients. It provides a number of vitamins and minerals in each cup. It is a rich source of vitamins A, C, D, B as well as iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, manganese, choline, boron, and calcium.
Protects Your Bones
Dandelion tea provides about 105 of the calcium you need every day. This is the most abundant of the minerals found in the body and we store it in our teeth and bones. Calcium is used for hormone secretion, blood clotting, muscle contraction and nerve transmission. By drinking dandelion root tea, you can help to avoid muscle tension, calcium deficiency, high blood pressure and tooth decay.
Dandelion Tea Helps Fight Diabetes
By stimulating the natural production of insulin, dandelion tea can help to fight diabetes. It works in the pancreases to help keep blood sugar levels low and ensure glucose is utilized properly. The tea will also help to remove excess sugar the body has stored because it's a diuretic. Managing blood sugar is very important for maintaining proper weight, so it makes sense that dandelion root would be helpful in weight loss.
How to Detox with Dandelion Tea
The diuretic properties of dandelion tea make it a great choice for detoxing your body. When you need to do a liver cleansing, using this tea provides the right choice for the job. Its many nutrients help to support the body while the liver helps clean your body of toxins.
Compounds found within the dandelion root help to increase bile production in the body. The increased bile production improves digestion and helps your live digest foods, while removing toxins quickly.
If you want to use it to increase liver function for a gentle detox, you can use this simple three-step process:
- Boil eight ounces of water and add the organic dandelion root loose leaf tea to a cup in a strainer or in a filter, pour the water over the leaves into your teapot to steep
- Let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes before drinking
- Drink dandelion root tea three to four times a day for a full cleanse
If you're detoxing because you're struggling with bloating, you can add a tablespoon of fresh, organic lemon juice or organic cranberry juice (unsweetened) to each cup of tea for even better results.
After drinking each cup of tea, make sure to drink an eight-ounce glass of filtered water. It's also important to make sure you're drinking at least 64 ounces of water during a liver cleansing, in addition to the tea.
A liver cleansing can last from three to ten days. The average person will perform this type of detox for about seven days. You won't gain any additional benefits by continuing your detox for more than 10 days.
Using Dandelion Tea as a Coffee Substitute
Giving up that morning cup of coffee can be difficult. It's much easier when you have an alternative to turn to as your go-to beverage. Dandelion root tea provides a great coffee substitute. It has been used throughout history as a substitute or even a blend to help stretch coffee in tough economic times. Dandelion root can be added to coffee or can be brewed on its own to help replace your morning coffee.
How do I Prepare Dandelion Root Tea?
Many people loathe dandelion as it is among the most notorious weeds around. However, you can use this unwanted plant in your garden for making dandelion tea at home. Dandelion root tea is easy to make. Just dig up a few of dandelion weeds; rinse them thoroughly under tap water to remove dirt and remove the foliage. Cut the roots and dip them in boiling water for approximately two to three minutes. Then strain the tea and allow it to cool for couple of minutes before serving.
You can also roast the cut dandelion roots in a baking dish, before you make boil the roots.
If you already killed all of the dandelions in your yard, you can try our liver detox tea, which contains dandelion root and many other beneficial beneficial herbs to help support your liver health. If you're looking for just the pure, organic form of the herb, then you can purchase it here.
What is Dandelion Root Tea?
Dandelion is a healing herb used for thousands of years in Chinese and Arabic cultures. It has restorative properties and can be used as an edible food or to brew wine and beer. It is a favorite among herbalists and its powdered root can also be substituted for coffee and tea.
Physical structure
Dandelion has a yellow head composed of multiple tiny flowers. It closes at dusk or during overcast and opens again when the sun appears. When its head is closed, it resembles a pig’s nose thus leading to the common name of “pig’s snout”. It has a dark brown root with a white interior. It is common to Europe, Africa, and Asia and is considered a weed by many as it is found growing along roads and in lawns.
Growing and harvesting
Dandelion is grown commercially in several European countries including Bulgaria, Hungary, and the United Kingdom. It does grow wild in many locations and is suitable for a variety of climates. Though it will grow most anywhere, it adapts best to a rich, moist soil. Its dried leaves are collected before flowering and the root is harvested in autumn.
History, uses, and preparation
The medicinal use of dandelion was first recorded in 659 B.C. and was later mentioned in Arabic culture in the 10th century. It can be consumed as a juice and its fresh leaves can be eaten. In traditional European medicine, it is considered a reliable and safe tonic.
Several North American Indian cultures made effective use of dandelion. The Cherokee used it to brew tea and chewed the root for medicinal purposes. The Iroquois also used it to brew tea, but brewed the whole plant. In the southwestern United States, Latinos used the plant for purification purposes.
The greens of the plant, when they are young, make an excellent salad much like spinach. They can be seasoned with salt, pepper, and butter. Spices, such as nutmeg, onion, and garlic, can also be used to enhance the flavor and presentation.
Dandelion has several methods of preparation. The dried root and leaves can be brewed to make tea and other beverages. The leaves can also be powdered or dried and used as a coffee substitute. The fresh leaves are edible and all preparations have medicinal uses.
A Personal Message From Tea Mind Body:
Dear Tea Lover,
Thanks for checking this blog post out!
We love drinking dandelion tea and also selling it to our customers. It's been in our stockroom for many years. We'll brew a cup in the morning when we are feeling a little sluggish. Other companies to try are traditional medicinals. They have a great roasted dandelion root product.
The dandelion plant helps stimulates the liver and acts as a gentle detox. It not only will help you detoxify your liver and clear out your system, but it also tastes great!
Most of our customers enjoy a couple of cups every day for a week or two when they are feeling tired. So if you are overwhelmed from the stresses of day to day life, and looking to have more energy then this tea is for you.
You should know that most detox teas are actually quite intrusive on your life. They might have you running to the bathroom every 30 minutes, or make you feel confused and irritable. We don't want this for our lovely customers, so that's why we made our own blend that is less harsh and easy to handle.
Trust us when we say, your body will love you if you buy and drink our detox tea!
Sincerely,
Your Friends at Tea Mind Body!
Caution-
Those who are using diuretic drugs or blood thinning medications should not drink dandelion tea. In case of any existing gall bladder disease, avoid taking herbal supplements. If you are suffering from any existing medical conditions, talk to your health care provider before you start taking dandelion root or any other detox teas. You should also note that dandelion can cause allergic reactions in some people. Please ask your doctor for medical advice before consuming dandelion root or leaves.
I dig dry and steam dandelion to make tea and I find it helps with my crhons
I am enthuased of diverse health benefits of dandelion’s root. Please I am an Alternative Health Practitioner.
Therfore, l would be glad to be receiving your newsletter to know more about dandelion herb. Thanks.
can dandelion tea be drunk if you have kidney disease, diabetes or heart disease?