Dandelion Root Tea Effects, How to Prepare & Safety Review

Dandelion root tea is a soothing beverage that is commonly recommended for easing digestive complaints and supporting gastrointestinal health.

Dandelion tea prepared with roasted roots is also becoming a popular substitute for coffee. It has a similar flavor, but does not contain any caffeine.

This tea contains various plant nutrients that are believed to support liver and heart health. The herb is purported to have laxative, diuretic and detoxification effects in the human body.

Dandelions have been used traditionally for joint pains, liver and spleen ailments, bruising, eczema and muscle aches. This plant has also been researched for its effects on urinary tract infections, viral infections, as a circulatory tonic, for blood glucose regulation and for cancer.

Even though it has been used as a natural plant medicine for thousands of years, dandelion research in humans has been limited. Most studies have involved animals to this point. More research is needed to verify many of the purported health claims.

Dandelion Root

Herbal Supplement

Liver Health

Detox

Immunity

How It Works:

• Supports liver and kidney health
• Used as a diuretic & detox supplement
• Exhibits anti-inflammatory properties

Dosage:

Varies depending on formulation

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

Top Dandelion Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

How to Make Dandelion Root Tea

Begin by harvesting wild dandelion roots or by purchasing pre-measured tea bags or loose tea in bulk form.

If you are using fresh plants, make sure you can identify the proper species before harvesting. It is recommended to collect plants in areas free of pesticide use and other sources of environmental pollution.

Use a shovel to gently remove the entire plant from the ground. Shake off the excess dirt and place the whole plant in a gathering bag.

The flowers, stems, leaves and roots of dandelion plants can all be used to make teas. However, the roots are the most commonly used part of the plant. The leftover leaves (greens) and flowers can be used for for winemaking, eating raw or as ingredients in culinary recipes.

After harvesting wild dandelion roots, separate them from the rest of the plants and then wash them thoroughly. It is recommended to soak the roots in a 5-gallon bucket of water to soften the dirt.

You can use lukewarm water and agitate the water gently with your hands to remove dirt and unwanted particles.

Once the roots are clean, they can either be dried and stored for future use or used to make tea right away. Many people prefer to leave the roots to dry for several days before grinding them up and storing them in a sealable jar.

If making fresh dandelion root tea, cut the clean roots into small pieces and place them in a medium-sized sauce pan. Add water and then heat the mixture slowly. The quantity of roots and water used is a matter of personal taste.

Do not boil the mixture but allow it to almost boil. Let the tea steep for about 20 minutes and then carefully strain the mixture to remove the plant material.

You can drink the dandelion root tea as it is, or use flavor enhancers like lemon, milk, honey, etc.

This tea is sometimes combined with other herbs and ingredients such as milk thistle, valerian root, burdock root, ginger, peppermint or green tea.

You can also use dandelion roots to make sun tea. Place the clean, chopped up roots into a sun tea container, fill with purified water, cover and place in the sun for several hours. Strain, refrigerate and enjoy over ice.

Nutrient Content

Dandelions contain various plant chemicals which are nutritious and beneficial to human health.

One 8-ounce cup of dandelion greens contains more than 500% of the recommended dietary intake for vitamin K. Vitamin K is important for heart and bone health, as well as for brain function and maintaining a healthy metabolism.

Dandelions are also rich in vitamins A and C as well as members of the B-vitamin complex. They also contain minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron.

The roots of this plant are a source of several phytonutrients (plant chemicals) not found in other parts of this herb. Some of these include caffeic acid, inulin, quercetin, chicoric acid and luteolin.

Some of these plant nutrients are believed to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The roots also contain sesquiterpene lactones which are believed to exhibit diuretic mechanisms.

Dandelion Root Tea Benefits

Historically, dandelion root was used to stimulate the appetite, alleviate dyspepsia (indigestion) and to cure other stomach disturbances. It is believed to stimulate bile flow and to act as a laxative.

This herb is indicated by the British Herbal Compendium for the treatment of hepato-biliary disorders, stomach upset, loss of appetite, and rheumatic diseases affecting the joints tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles.

According to the German Standard License for decoctions of this plant, it is indicated for stimulating diuresis and for alleviating gastrointestinal complaints including flatulence (gas) and bloating.

While it has a rich history of use in traditional medicine practices, human research on this plant is limited. Most of its purported uses in alternative medicine is based on folklore, anecdotal case reports and animal studies.

Researchers do not yet fully understand the effects of dandelion extracts on human health. Some of the constituents found in this plant have been well-studied, but the whole plant extract has not received significant research attention in clinical studies.

This means that its therapeutic efficacy has not yet been determined. The FDA has not approved this plant as a drug for the prevention or treatment of any medical conditions.

Preliminary research shows that dandelion constituents may help support liver health and detoxification pathways. Drinking this root tea may stimulate your liver to produce more bile.

Bile contains important enzymes that metabolize fats, aid digestion, promote nutrient absorption and help to transport waste products out of the body via excretion.

Liver health is important for balancing lipids like cholesterol, regulating blood glucose levels and metabolism, as well as and modulating other internal functions. The liver functions as the primary filtration system in the body, cleansing the system of drugs, hormones, steroids and other chemicals.

There is some evidence that dandelion roots may support metabolic health and the maintenance of normal blood sugar levels. It has been studied in the management of long-term symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

According to Dr. Axe, “Dandelion tea and juice help people with diabetes by stimulating the production of insulin from the pancreas and keeping blood sugar levels low.”

According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCD), there is in vitro evidence suggesting that compounds in this herb may have cytotoxic effects on cancer cells.

Currently, the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada is conducting a trial on dandelion root extracts involving, “30 patients with blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma who have had no success with conventional therapies.”

Dr. Siyaram Pandey, a medical oncologist at the Windsor Cancer Centre says, “We scientifically validated that dandelion root extract has very potent anti-cancer activity.”

More research is needed to determine the validity of these preliminary findings.

Safety Review

According to NMCD, Dandelion is rated Likely Safe when used orally in appropriate amounts. It is rated Possibly Safe when used in medicinal amounts.

Dandelion root tea is generally well tolerated and does not cause adverse reactions in the majority of users. A small percentage of those who drink the tea experience mild side effects.

A few user reviews on Amazon.com report that they developed sudden diarrhea after drinking dandelion tea. Others say they had nausea and stomach discomfort.

Dandelion pollen can cause allergic reactions in some people. Contact dermatitis, mouth sores and/or erythema multiforme (inflammatory skin eruptions) may occur in sensitive individuals who consume tea that contains the pollen.

Dandelion root tea may cause interactions with certain medications, especially blood thinners. This tea should not be combined with lithium, potassium-sparing diuretics, quinolone antibiotics, cytochrome p450 1a2 (cyp1a2) substrates, drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes, or glucuronidated drugs.

You should discuss using dandelion root tea with a doctor who knows your health history to determine whether this product is appropriate for you.

Rate This Article

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5, rated)