Dandelion Tea Uses, How to Make at Home & Safety Warnings

Dandelion tea has been consumed as an herbal remedy for thousands of years.

Traditionally, this beverage was consumed to improve poor appetite, sooth achy muscles and joint pain, treat skin conditions and alleviate gallstones.

It was used as a diuretic in both Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. The plant was also considered to be a laxative, a circulation tonic and an immune system booster.

Dandelions grow around the world and are commonly viewed as weeds. However, these plants have a long history of use both as a food ingredient and in traditional medicine practices.

Dandelions are a nutritious vegetable that are a rich source of vitamins K, A and C. This plant also contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and dietary fiber.

Herbalists use dandelion to address liver problems and to promote detoxification. Drinking this tea is also purported to promote digestive function and to stimulate bile flow.

This article will discuss the purported health benefits of drinking dandelion tea, how it is used in traditional medicine and how to prepare the tea at home from fresh plants or dried roots and leaves.

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* ❯

Dandelion Tea Review

The dandelion plant is known as Taraxacum officinale in botany. It is believed to have originated in Eurasia about 30 million years ago.

People have been using dandelions worldwide since before history was first recorded. Historically, it was prepared into salads, soups, teas, stews and used as a coffee alternative.

In Chinese medicine, the plant is known as pu gong ying. It was used to reduce toxins and heat in the blood.

Chinese herbalists recommend this plant for liver problems including jaundice, hepatitis, urinary tract infections, abscesses and inflammation. It was also used traditionally for kidneys and joint problems, constipation, indigestion, and heartburn.

Dandelions are believed to stimulate detoxification and to support liver cleanses. This herb also increases bile flow which can have benefits for nutrient absorption, fat metabolism and for transporting toxins out of the body.

Bile is a greenish-brown alkaline fluid that is secreted by the liver, stored in the gallbladder and released to aid digestion.

Bile is involved in the transportation and breakdown of fats into simpler fatty acids. Bile also binds to toxins in the blood and helps to neutralize and eliminate them from the body.

Dandelion tea contains the antioxidant vitamin C. Antioxidants help to prevent oxidative damage to cells caused by free radicals, pollutants, industrial toxins and food poisons.

Vitamin C also promotes immune system function and is involved in collagen synthesis for skin and connective tissue health.

Dandelion tea is especially rich in vitamin K. This fat-soluble vitamin serves important roles in the body for maintain heart and bone health. It is also involved in blood clotting, bone mineralization and protecting neurons (nerve cells) inside the brain.

Dandelions are also an excellent source of Vitamin A, which refers to a group of fat-soluble retinoids. Vitamin A is important for reproduction, cell signaling, immunity and vision. One cup of dandelion tea contains more than 100% of the recommended daily intake for this vitamin.

Dandelion Tea Diuretic Effects

One of the common uses for this herb is as a diuretic to eliminate excess water retention in the body. Research in animals shows that dandelion extracts can increase the frequency and volume of urination.

Diuretics or “water pills” are used medicinally to reduce high blood pressure, support healthy blood sugar regulation, support kidney function and to alleviate bloating.

Evidence suggests that sesquiterpene lactone compounds in dandelion extract stimulate urination. This mechanism is not yet well understood but has been well-documented in animal trials. Human studies are needed to confirm initial findings.

Bodybuilders will commonly drink dandelion tea as part of their weight cutting cycles prior to appearing in physique competitions. As a diuretic, this herb stimulates water loss which can improve the hardness and vascularity of muscles.

Dandelion tea is also used for urinary tract infections (UTIs). Research shows that a hydroalcoholic combination of dandelion root with uva ursi leaf extract can improve the recurrence rate of UTIs in females.

How to Make Dandelion Tea

To make dandelion tea at home, you will need either fresh or dried plants. You can also purchase pre-packaged tea bags to save some time.

Most people use only the roots and leaves to brew teas while other people add the unseeded flowers. Dandelion roots are also sometimes roasted to make a coffee substitute.

The leaves, stems and roots contain different active compounds. The roots are a source of caffeic acid, taraxacoside, taraxasterol, and inulin (a polysaccharide) while the leaves contain scopoletin, aesculetin, aesculin, cichoriin, arnidiol, and faradiol.

If you are planning to harvest your own wild dandelions to brew the tea, it is recommended to harvest this plant in the countryside away from high concentrations of pesticides and other environmental pollutants.

Harvest the plant by pulling the entire roots mass out of the ground. It is recommended to use a spade shovel to lift up the plant. Place the spade under the plant and gently pry it upwards.

Wash the roots and leaves thoroughly to remove all traces of dirt and bugs. You can use raw roots and leaves to make the tea or dry them and store them for later use.

Dandelion leaves may also be eaten raw on their own or in salads and other dishes. They are delicious and a healthy culinary ingredient when sautéed or steamed. You can wrap the greens in a damp paper towel and keep them in the refrigerator for several days to eat later if you do not plan to use them to make tea.

After cleaning the roots and leaves, cut the plant material and place them in a kettle or sauce pan. Add purified water to cover the plant matter by at least two inches. Set the heat at a low temperature and allow the tea to steep gently for about 30 minutes.

Do not bring the dandelion tea to a full boil as this may destroy some of the nutrients found in this plant. Stir the tea periodically and then strain when the steeping time has finished.

Your tea is ready to drink as-is. Some people add taste enhancers like lemon, honey, raw sugar or milk to the beverage. Dandelion tea can also be combined with other herbs including peppermint or green tea.

Dandelion Tea Side Effects

Drinking dandelion tea is considered to be safe with a low risk of adverse reactions. Dandelions are a GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) food item and are well-tolerated when used at appropriate dosages.

Some people may experience allergic reactions like anaphylaxis and dermatitis when they come in contact with dandelion plants. Allergic reactions are normally caused by exposure to the pollen in sensitive people. If you are allergic to dandelion plants, you should not consume this tea.

Dandelion tea may increase the risk of bleeding for some individuals. If you have been diagnosed with a bleeding disorder, use anti-coagulant drugs or blood thinners, check with a doctor before drinking this tea.

Dandelion may interact with certain medications. Check with a doctor before using this plant remedy if you are currently taking diabetes medications, lithium or pharmaceutical drugs that are metabolized by the liver.

This herbal tea stimulates bile production and may not be appropriate for people with gallstones or bile duct obstructions. Do not drink dandelion tea if you have been diagnosed with gastritis or a stomach ulcer at is may increase production of stomach acid.

Some people are sensitive to inulin, a dietary fiber that is found in the roots of this plant. If you have been diagnosed with inulin sensitivity, avoid using this tea.

Dandelion should not be used with loop diuretics, spironolactone, thiazide diuretics, triamterene or the antibiotic drug ciprofloxacin. If you have been diagnosed with any health conditions or are currently using prescription drugs, check with a doctor to determine whether herbal dandelion tea is safe for you.

Rate This Article

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