How To Make Fresh Dandelion Root Tea at Home [Recipe Guide]

It is easy to make your own dandelion root tea at home by harvesting fresh dandelions or by purchasing pre-packaged tea bags.

This tea is commonly used as a diuretic and is purported to have a number of health benefits. It is a rich source of antioxidants and has been used for thousands of years as a digestive remedy.

Dandelion plants grow wild in much of the world. The flowers, leaves, stems and roots of the plant contain a number of different minerals, vitamins and phytonutrients that may have positive effects on human health.

In traditional Chinese Medicine, the tea was believed to act as a blood tonic, helping to support immune function and anti-bacterial effects. It has also been used to support liver health, detoxification, and joint comfort.

This article will describe how to make your own dandelion root tea by cultivating the roots of this plant in your local area. It is important to select plants that grow in regions free of pesticides and other toxins.

Note that dandelion root tea is not the same as dandelion coffee. The tea tea is made with fresh or dried roots while the coffee is made with roasted dandelion roots.

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

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How to Make Dandelion Root Tea

Learning how to make dandelion tea and coffee is quick, easy and enjoyable. Preparing the tea at home from scratch will require a time investment, but ready-to-brew tea bags and coffee substitutes are also available.

These instructions are intended for those wanting to make their own dandelion root tea from scratch. For preparing ready-to-brew products, follow instructions on the product you choose.

The first step in preparing the tea is to harvest dandelion roots. You should consider locations for harvesting that are far away from areas where the use of agricultural chemicals is common.

Dandelion plants develop penetrating taproots which are known to absorb various constituents in the soil. These include beneficial compounds such as minerals and vitamins as well as potentially harmful chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and other toxic substances.

Be sure to choose your harvesting location carefully. If possible, you may want to plant your own seeds in an area that is free of unwanted contaminants.

Once you have a suitable spot to harvest your dandelion roots, you will need a few tools. Dandelion forks are available at True Value and various other sources. You can also use a screwdriver or other tool for digging out taproots.

Take something along with you to gather the roots and greens in. Dandelion greens are delicious when steamed or sauteed and can also be used for tea and tincture making. All parts of the plant have long been used both as natural medicines and foods.

Remove the entire leaf rosette as well as the taproot when harvesting dandelions. Be careful to not snap the taproot in half when extracting it from the ground. Place the whole plant in your gathering container. You can separate the roots and leaves later while cleaning your harvest.

There is no recommended number of roots to harvest. If you have roots left over, you can dry them and store them for later use.

You might consider making tinctures from the plant as well. Tinctures deliver concentrated nutrients and can be safely stored for several years.

Washing and Preparing the Roots

To wash the roots, one good method is to place them in a clean 5-gallon bucket and cover them with water. Allow the roots to soak in the bucket for approximately fifteen minutes to loosen the dirt and other residue.

Shake the bucket to agitate the roots inside. Discard the soiled water. Use a hose to gently wash the remaining dirt off of the roots. For roots with remaining dirt on them, you can use a vegetable brush to scrub them clean.

Next, you will need to cut the roots into small pieces. Fresh roots are easy to slice up, but dried dandelion roots become quite brittle and take more work to prepare.

It is best to cut the roots up when they are fresh and then dry them if desired. Cut them into pieces between 1/4 and 1/2 inches long.

Steeping the Roots

Some online sources recommend boiling dandelion roots to make tea. However, boiling at hot temperatures could destroy some of the beneficial phytonutrients found in the plant. Gently steeping the roots may preserve some of the nutrients more effectively.

Place your plant matter in an appropriately sized cooking pot and add water for the amount of tea you wish to make. How much root and water to use depends on your personal tastes. One common ratio for making dandelion tea is 1-part root to 7-parts water.

Place a lid on the pot to minimize water loss due to evaporation. Set the heat to a low setting and allow the mixture to steep for at least 15 minutes. Bring it to a near-boiling point, but do not boil the mixture.

If boiling begins, remove from the heat for a minute while you reduce the temperature setting. Then resume heating at the lower temperature.

Once the tea is brewed, strain out the plant material with a tea strainer, sieve or cheesecloth. You can enjoy dandelion root tea hot or chill it for drinking later.

Flavoring Agents

While dandelion tea tastes naturally delicious to many, some people like to add flavor enhancers to make it more palatable.

Some common additives for this include lemon, lime, honey, cream, cinnamon, maple syrup and green tea. Experiment with different ways to make your dandelion tea taste best to you.

Another option is to mix additional herbs into the tea. Some people use peppermint to enhance its effects as a digestive aid.

For use in detoxification cleanses, it is commonly combined with milk thistle extract. This plant contains silymarin, which is believed to promote liver health.

Dandelion is also combined with burdock root extract to make a carbonated beverage that is said to be similar to root beer.

Dandelion Root Tea Side Effects

Dandelion is considered Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA, which means it has a low risk of side effects and is well tolerated by most people who take it.

Some people do experience side effects associated with an allergic reaction to the plant. Symptoms of a reaction can include contact dermatitis, anaphylaxis and erythema multiforme (a “bullseye” rash).

Some people also experience temporary digestive distress or discomfort when drinking the tea. Dandelion is a diuretic and can cause you to expel more water via urination. It may interfere with mineral balance and kidney function in certain individual with pre-existing health conditions.

Dandelion may also interact with certain diseases, medications, lab tests and/or herbal supplements. You should ask your doctor if drinking dandelion tea is safe for your particular state of health.

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