Dandelion is a plant. For some, it is merely a weed while for others it has high medicinal values. Tea made from dandelion root is often recommended by naturopathic practitioners to treat skin conditions, liver disease and gastrointestinal upset. They have been a part of Native American and Chinese medicine since time immemorial. Dandelion root is believed to clean liver and gallbladder. It is a natural diuretic which helps in digestion as well. It has high nutritional content which makes it a valuable supplement to a person’s diet. As a tea, it is sweet and bitter at the same time which gives it a mild but pleasant flavor. It can be made using dandelion roots or dandelion flowers. For those who cannot procure it in its natural form, dandelion is also available in the form of dandelion root powder at most of the health food stores. Dandelion tea is very simple and easy to make. Read on.
Complexity Level: Moderate
Time required: 15 to 20 minutes
Resources required:
- Dandelion roots or dandelion root powder (1/2 – 1 teaspoon)
- Shovel
- Water
- Paper towel
- Saucepan
- Knife
Instructions:
1: Getting the dandelion ready:
- Check the ground where the dandelion is growing to ascertain if the soil is soft or hard. Pull the plant out of the ground by hand, if the soil is soft.
- Use a small shovel to loosen the soil if the ground is hard. Rinse the pulled out plant with fresh running water.
- Cut off the foliage from the root using a knife. Soak the dandelion root in a bowl of water for about 15 minutes to get the remaining dirt off.
- Remove the root from water after 15 minutes and pat dry with a clean towel.
2: Roasting the dandelion:
- Chop up the dandelion root into small pieces.
- Spread the pieces on a baking sheet and place it in an oven to cook for two hours at 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
3: Preparing the tea:
- In a saucepan, heat 8 oz water and add one tablespoon of roasted dandelion. Increase the quantity of dandelion if desired.
- Heat the mixture on high flame and boil for about 5 minutes. Sweeten with sugar or sugar substitute like honey, as desired.
- Alternatively, you can pour hot water onto dried dandelion leaves and steep it for 5 – 10 minutes. Strain through a sieve and serve.
- Enjoy your hot steaming cup of healthy dandelion tea!
Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I make dandelion tea using dandelion flowers instead of roots?
Yes you can. Boil water. Cut the dandelion flowers. Be sure not to include the green parts. Soak a handful of dandelion flowers in the water and steep for about 20 minutes. Add sweetener to taste and your tea is ready!
2. What are the benefits of Dandelion Tea?
Dandelion has been used in Native American and Chinese medicine since a long time. Today you can find them in teas and capsules at your local health food store. Mainly, dandelion is used as a digestive aid because it is a natural diuretic. Dandelion roots can be used to treat acne and acne scars as well.
Quick tips:
- You can substitute the dandelion root with dandelion root powder available at various health food stores. Add 1/2 -1 tablespoon of dandelion root powder to boiling water to prepare the tea. Strain and serve.
- The foliage from dandelion can be used in a salad. It can be wrapped in a moist towel and stored in a refrigerator.
Things to watch out for:
- Do not use dandelion on which herbicides have been sprayed. It is injurious to health and can make you sick.
- Be sure to wash the dandelion thoroughly before use.
