Dandelion is believed to have many potential health benefits. So, is dandelion tea good for you? Keep reading to find out.
Despite being a weed found worldwide, dandelions have been used for food and medicine for ages. Dandelion tea is made from the dandelion plant, particularly the flowers, leaves, and roasted roots — and drinking it is believed to have many potential health benefits.
Dandelion tea is generally safe to drink, but it may not suit everyone.
What Is Dandelion Tea?
Dandelion tea is a herbal tea made from flowers, leaves, and roasted roots. This tea has a slightly sweet flavor but is not as strong as black tea or coffee.
It is commonly used to treat urinary tract infections (UTI), inflammation, and the common cold. It is also believed to help control blood sugar levels and improve your heart, liver, and skin health. Check out our Firebelly tea review.
Is Dandelion Tea Good For You? 10 Potential Health Benefits
1. Good For bone Health
Dandelions contain 10% of the recommended daily amount of calcium. This mineral is stored in bones and teeth — it is used for blood clotting, muscle contraction, hormone secretion, and nerve transmission.
You can help prevent calcium deficiency-related conditions like high blood pressure, muscle tension, or even tooth decay by adding dandelions to your diet.
2. A source Of Vitamin K
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it needs fats to be absorbed and is stored in fat tissue. This vitamin plays a vital role in blood clotting, and in maintaining heart health and healthy bones. Dandelions contain more than 500% of the recommended daily amount of Vitamin K.
Vitamin K is also crucial for bone mineralization. It can even help to build bones and supports healthy metabolism and brain function. There is also evidence that this vitamin can help improve bone health and lower the chance of fractures.
Recent studies have shown that Vitamin K may also help fight cancer. It may even lower the risk of colon, nasal, oral, prostate, and stomach cancers.
3. Cleanses The Liver
The liver’s role is to filter and detoxify our blood in addition to producing bile, which helps enzymes break fats into fatty acids. In addition, the liver is also able to synthesize and metabolize cholesterol, process and store amino acids, and store glucose.
Dandelions’ vitamins, minerals, and nutrients can help your liver in tip top shape. Dandelions can also improve the digestive health by helping to maintain proper bile flow.
4. High In Antioxidants
Dandelions contain high levels of antioxidants. Studies have shown that antioxidants are compounds that can help prevent some kinds of cell damage. Antioxidants are used by the body to combat free radical damage, which harms DNA and is linked to an increased cancer risk and premature aging.
5. Fights Diabetes
Dandelion tea can help fight diabetes as it stimulates insulin production in the pancreas and helps maintain low blood sugar levels. According to studies, the anti-diabetic properties of dandelions are ascribed to bioactive chemical components, such as chicoric acid and sesquiterpene lactones. Due to its anti-hyperglycemic, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory properties, it has also been used to manage diabetes.
Consult your doctor before trying dandelion tea if you have diabetes.
6. High In Fiber
High-fiber foods can help aid digestion and are good for general intestinal health. Dandelions are a good source of this. Fiber is in charge of helping to move foods along the digestive tract, which helps it function properly.
According to research, a high-fiber diet also reduces the risk of obesity, digestive problems, heart disease, and diabetes. It may also have the ability to lower the risk of many types of cancer.
7. Improves Skin Health
When you snap a dandelion stem, the milky white fluid that drips onto your fingers is actually beneficial for your skin. This fluid is alkaline, and it has fungicidal, germicidal, and insecticidal properties. It can be used to relieve itching or irritation caused by certain skin conditions such as eczema, ringworm, and psoriasis.
In addition, studies have shown that dandelion leaf and flower extracts can serve as protective agents against UVB damage.
8. High In Vitamin A
Vitamin A can help to maintain healthy vision, brain function, skin health, and more. It is also an antioxidant, which means that it can help reduce inflammation by combating free radical damage. According to studies, dietary vitamin A contains antioxidants that prevent carcinogenesis by fighting the free radicals that cause DNA damage.
One cup of dandelion greens contains over 100% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin A. Additionally, Vitamin A supports the immune system.
9. Can Act As A Diuretic
Dandelion roots also have a natural diuretic effect. They may also help to boost the immune system, relieve heartburn, control blood sugar levels, and ease digestive problems.
Dandelions can also help reduce uric acid and increase urine production, so they help to keep your bladder and happy. You may also be interested in reading our guide on what tea is a diuretic.
10. Prevents Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
Drinking dandelion tea might even help prevent urinary tract infections (UTI), bladder diseases, kidney issues, and even reproductive cysts. This is mostly because of its natural diuretic properties.
By combining dandelion root and leaf extracts with uva ursi can also help prevent recurrent UTIs, especially in women. This brew may also increase the production of urine and treat infection, while the uva ursi is used to kill the bacteria.
How To Make Dandelion Tea At Home
There are many different ways to include dandelion flowers in your everyday meals — one of the easiest ways is making dandelion tea. You can make dandelion tea using its roots or flowers.
Dandelion Tea
Step 1: Steep
Steep one tablespoon of dandelion roots or flowers for about 30 minutes in five ounces of boiling water.
Step 2: Strain
Strain the roots or flowers — but you can also drink them with your tea.
This recipe can be doubled or tripled if you plan to make several days’ worth of dandelion tea.
Dandelion Coffee-Drink
Step 1: Chop The Roots
Chop clean dandelion roots into small pieces or place them in a food processor.
Step 2: Bake
After that, put them on a baking sheet and roast them in an oven at 300°F for about two hours.
Step 3: Steep
Let the roasted dandelion roots steep in boiling water for about 10 minutes before serving.
If you do not have the time to make your own tea at home, there are also organic dandelion tea bags that you can buy at most health food stores. You can also buy it online, like the Traditional Medicinals Organic Roasted Dandelion Root Herbal Leaf Tea.
- 16 Tea Bags (Pack of 6)
- Non-GMO Verified
- Kosher
- Caffeine-free
Is It Safe To Drink Dandelion Tea?
Dandelion tea is considered safe for most people. However, it is best to speak with your doctor before drinking dandelion tea, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking any medications such as blood thinners, kidney medications, liver medications, lithium, or some antibiotics.
In addition, do not drink dandelion tea if you are allergic to other members of the daisy family. You may also be interested in reading our guide on is oat milk good for you.
