How to Make Dandelion Root Tea – Fresh, Roasted, Blends
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Our yard and gardens have plenty of dandelion plants, and we put them to good use. The seeds, flowers, leaves, and roots are edible and medicinal. Instead of trying to eradicate it, we should be celebrating its resilience and many uses. I hope these dandelion root tea recipes will encourage you to appreciate this humble herbal ally.
Before you make your tea…
If you’re harvesting your own dandelion roots, make sure they come from an area free of pesticides and pollutants. Ideally, the area where you harvest should be herbicide free for at least three years. I like to gather them from my garden beds, where the roots grow deep and fat.
It’s best to harvest roots when the plants are not in flower. Late summer and fall roots have more medicinal compounds. Early spring roots are a bit sweeter. Clean them thoroughly to remove any dirt.
These recipes are for Common Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale. If you need help with dandelion identification, check out our main dandelion article. For more details on harvesting, cleaning, and drying, see “Harvesting and Using Dandelion Roots“.
This simple herbal tea supports liver function, flushing toxins out of the body, which in turn promotes clear skin. Dandelion is a sparing diuretic, because it contains high levels of potassium. Most pharmaceutical diuretics deplete potassium levels in the body.
Drinking dandelion tea gently stimulate mucus membranes, which also helps to draw out toxins. Inulin and levulin found in the roots aids digestion and helps the body to regulate blood sugar. Be sure to drink plenty of good, clean water in addition to your tea, especially if you drink larger amounts. This helps the cleansing action work more effectively.
Table of contents
How to Make Dandelion Root Tea
Teas made from roots are typically prepared as “decoctions”. A decoction uses water and extra heat, and is generally used for tough materials like roots and bark. Leaf and flower teas are typically “infusions”, where boiling water is poured over the herbs and left to sit, without addition heat.
Ingredients
- Fresh or dried dandelion root pieces (2 – 3 teaspoons per cup of water)
- Water
- Optional: Sweetener like honey, or a slice of lemon for flavor
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Roots: If using fresh roots, chop them into small pieces. For dried roots, you can use them as they are or roast them for a nuttier flavor. (See below for roasting instructions.)
Simmer the Roots: In a small pot, add the chopped or dried roots to the water. Cover and bring to a boil on medium high heat. Reduce the heat to low and let the roots simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Strain and Serve: Strain the tea into a mug. Compost the spent roots, or feed them to your chickens. (The roots plump up during cooking.) Add sweeteners or lemon, if desired.
Enjoy Warm or Cold: You can enjoy dandelion root tea warm, or let it cool and serve it over ice.
Sip this simple healing tea to aid digestion, promote urination, and as a general tonic. Consume it regularly, up to three cups per day, for the most benefits.
Adjusting the Flavor
Personally, I rather enjoy the flavor of plain dandelion root tea. It’s earthy, with a mineral taste, and less bitter than some medicinal herbs. That said, I find it more pleasant to sip on separate from a meal. Mixing it with food accentuates the bitterness.
If you are one of the people who can’t tolerate bitter, there are a few options to make your dandelion root tea taste better. Simmer for only 10 minutes for a milder brew. (Longer cooking and more heat = stronger flavor.)
Add a little honey, ginger honey, or maple syrup, for simple sweetness. Try a scant pinch of salt with the honey, or a squeeze of lemon, for a more complex flavor. Simmer with a bit of ginger root or cinnamon to enhance the brew and add a warming twist.
Roasted Dandelion Root Tea Recipe (Dandelion “Coffee”)
To make an herbal coffee substitute, start with dried dandelion roots. Chop or break into small, even pieces, roughly 1/4″ across. (You can use fresh roots, but it’s difficult to get them cooked through and avoid scorching.)
Spread on a roasting pan and bake in a warm oven (200°F, 93°C) for around 4 hours. Stir occasionally to promote even roasting. Alternatively, you can roast the dried root bits in a cast iron pan, stirring constantly, until they are dark brown.
The dandelion roots should be browned and dried completely through. Cool roots completely before use or storage.
Grind and use as you would regular coffee, or place 1 heaping teaspoon of ground root in a cup of hot water. Steep for 10 minutes and strain. For stronger flavor, gently simmer the ground roots with water in a small pan for 5-10 minutes before straining.
Store roasted roots in an airtight glass jar and grind just before use for best flavor.
Dandelion Tea Blend Recipes
Here are two blended dandelion tea recipes from Dandelion Medicine. These combine decoctions (long cook) and infusions (steeped brews). This book is a treasure trove of dandelion lore and recipes, and one of favorite “weed” references.
I’m-Sick-of-Cellulite Dandelion Tea Blend
Help your body metabolize fats and improve elimination of wastes with these cleansing herbs.
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First, make the infusion. Start with 1/2 ounce each (dried), or 1 ounce each (fresh):
- dandelion leaves
- nettle (Urtica dioica) leaves
Cover the leaves with 1 cup boiling water. Put a lid on an steep for at least 15 minutes, and then strain.
Then, make the decoction. Start with 1/2 ounce each (dried), or 1 ounce each (fresh):
- dandelion root
- burdock (Arctium lappa) root
Place the roots in a pan with one cup of water. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain and compost the spent roots.
Combine the dandelion leaf infusion and the dandelion root decoction to make the anti-cellulate tea. Serve the tea warm or cold, with a dash of honey for sweetening. Refrigerate any leftovers and use within a few days.
Decongestant Tea
This dandelion root tea blend helps the body to clear phlegm and open the lungs and sinuses.
First, make the infusion. Start with 1/2 ounce each (dried), or 1 ounce each (fresh):
- dandelion leaves
- Nettle (Urtica dioica) leaves
- Thyme (thymus vulgaris) herb
Cover the leaves with 1 cup boiling water. Put a lid on an steep for at least 15 minutes, and then strain.
Then, make the decoction. Place 1/2 ounce dried dandelion root or 1 ounce fresh dandelion root in a pot with one cup of water. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain and compost the spent roots.
Combine the leaf infusion and the root decoction to make the decongestant tea. Best served warm, with a bit of honey or lemon.
Health Benefits of Dandelion Root Tea
Dandelion root tea has a long history as a folk remedy, and modern science supports those uses.
- Supports Digestive Health. Dandelion root has mild laxative properties and can stimulate appetite and digestion. It helps promote the production of bile, aiding in the breakdown of fats and improving overall digestion.
- Detoxifies the Liver. Traditionally, dandelion root has been used as a natural liver cleanser. It may help improve liver function by promoting detoxification and reducing liver inflammation.
- Rich in Antioxidants. Dandelion root contains high levels of antioxidants, which can help neutralize harmful free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and supporting overall cellular health.
- Supports Kidney Health. As a natural diuretic, dandelion root tea can help flush excess fluids and toxins from the kidneys. This may reduce water retention and support kidney function.
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties. The compounds in dandelion root may help reduce inflammation in the body, which is linked to many chronic diseases.
- May Help Regulate Blood Sugar Levels. Some studies suggest that dandelion root may help stabilize blood sugar levels. This makes it a potential ally for people managing diabetes or prediabetes.
- Promotes Skin Health. By aiding liver detoxification and providing anti-inflammatory benefits, dandelion root tea may also contribute to clearer, healthier skin.
Cautions and Contraindications
While dandelion root tea is generally safe, some people may experience allergic reactions or digestive discomfort. Start with small amounts to see how your body responds. Avoid drinking it right before bedtime, unless you want to get up to pee in the night.
As a diuretic, the tea may flush medications through your system more quickly. Always consult your healthcare provider if you are on prescription medications. A cup of tea should be fine, but larger amounts may have unexpected side effects.
Final Thoughts
Dandelion root tea is simple and nourishing. We often gather the plants while preparing garden beds for cultivated crops, getting two harvests from one plot. We leave some young plants at garden edges to fill out for later harvest.
In ‘The Wild Wisdom of Weeds”, the author quotes a friend, noting, “Dandelion would be a rare plant if people knew it’s health potential.” It’s time to restore these remedies to use, and with them, hopefully restore our health.
More Dandelion Recipes
Edible from top to bottom, this versatile wild plant packs a lot of nutrition. Enjoy these dandelion recipes:
This article is written by Laurie Neverman. Laurie is a lifelong learner with a passion for natural remedies and holistic healing. She’s successfully improved her eyesight and cleared her psoriasis.