Dandelion is a powerful medicinal herb that can help numerous health issues and strengthen the immune system. We’ll show you how to make dandelion tea and take a closer look at its health benefits. Check out our dandelion tea recipe!
Have you ever wondered how to make this common backyard “nuisance” into a delicious and healthful beverage? This golden herbal infusion, created from a plant often dismissed as a weed, is a rich source of nutrition and flavor. From promoting healthy digestion to enhancing your immune system, this dandelion tea recipe has an impressive range of benefits to offer.
If you’re interested in exploring even more uses for dandelions, check out how to eat dandelions and our vegan dandelion honey recipe.
Read on for how to make dandelion tea!
Dandelion Tea Recipe
This dandelion tea recipe has a spicy, tart and slightly bitter taste.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon dried dandelion roots and leaves
- 1 cup of cold water
How to make dandelion tea:
Start by adding the dried roots, leaves and water to a small pot. Place over high heat and allow to boil for one minute. Then allow the tea to steep for another 10 minutes. Strain through a sieve and enjoy.
To reap the health benefits of dandelion tea, drink two cups per day for at least eight weeks.
Picking and Drying Dandelions for Tea
Young dandelion leaves taste the best — look for them from early May to September. If you want to harvest dandelion flowers, April and May are the ideal months for foraging. Meanwhile, if it’s the roots you’re after, the best time to dig them up is in the spring or the fall.
Tip: Here is how to preserve dandelion flowers, leaves and roots.
After collecting the roots and leaves, chop them and let them air dry for several days in a warm, dry place like a garden shed or on top of a radiator. Once they’ve thoroughly dried, store your dandelion tea in an airtight container.
Important: It’s best to pick only the dandelions in your own backyard. Avoid collecting them near roads with heavy traffic or where they may have been sprayed with pesticides.
Dandelion Health Benefits
Dandelions are rich in vitamins and minerals, including calcium, iron, manganese, and vitamins A, C and K. Although the health benefits of dandelions have not been conclusively proven, they are said to:
- provide antioxidants like beta-carotene and polyphenols
- be a good source of potassium, which can help lower blood pressure
- aid digestion through the probiotics they contain
- help reduce the risk of certain cancers
- keep skin healthy
- protect eyes from cataracts and macular degeneration
Do you prefer alternatives to dandelion tea? Try one of these natural tea recipes:
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- Sage Tea Benefits – and How to Make Sage Tea
- Cinnamon Tea: 4 Health Benefits and How to Make Your Own
- Wormwood Tea: Benefits, Dosage, and Brewing Method
- Rose Hip Tea: Benefits and Preparation
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