Dandelion Root Tea Recipe- Make Tea from Garden Weeds!

Dandelion Root Tea Recipe

Did you know those pesky dandelions growing in your yard are edible? Yup, and they are actually good for you too. As spring turns into summer more and more dandelions will start blooming in our yard and on the rest of the farm. It's the perfect time to learn how to make dandelion root tea.

There is no way we could ever destroy those weeds all no matter how hard we try. We cut the grass regularly but the roots are still growing beneath the soil. Since we don't use chemical pesticides in our garden we can either ignore and cut the dandelions down or try to dig them up from the roots.

If you are suffering from the never-ending dandelion battle you may want to try using them to improve your health by making dandelion root tea.

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What are the benefits of drinking dandelion tea?

• Dandelion is believed to help cleanse the liver and gallbladder.
• Dandelion root can increase the flow of bile through the liver and biliary tract.
• According to the University of Michigan dandelion is rich in vitamins A, B complex, C and D.
• Dandelion root is a source of iron, potassium and zinc.
• Dandelion is a natural, mild laxitive

What part of the dandelion is used for tea?

Fun fact: Every part of the dandelion is edible. You can use pretty much the whole dandelion plant in different ways to make food and beverages. 

The leaves and flowers can be added to salads and even used to make wine. Today I’m going to  show you how to make tea out of dandelion root.

Does dandelion tea help with water retention?

This a great tea to drink if you feel like your body needs a bit of a cleanse.

Some herbs such as dandelion, ginger, parsley, hawthorn and juniper may have a diuretic effect that can help with sodium and water retention. Natural diuretics can help relieve fluid retention by making you urinate more.

Dandelion should not be used in place of prescription medication or as a substitute to medical care.  If you are unsure if you should be using dandelion root for medicinal purposes check with your doctor first.

How do you make fresh dandelion tea?

Step 1: Harvesting dandelion roots for tea

This is the hardest part. The roots are tough to get out. The bigger the bunch of leaves growing out of the ground, the bigger the roots. Try to harvest after it has rained. The ground will be considerably softer and it will be easier to pull out  the roots .

Using a small shovel slice into the dirt surrounding the root. Try to loosen the soil and then grasp the root as deep as you can and pull. Some will come out nicely, some will just snap off.  Trim the leaves off the root. You can discard them or add them to a salad.

Two important things to remember,

1) only use roots of plants that you know for sure are dandelion

2) Only harvest from dandelions you know have not been sprayed with weed killer or other nasty chemicals.

  You can harvest any time of the year but it is believed that the roots will have the most nutritional value in the spring and fall.

How to dry and cook dandelion root

Can you eat dandelion roots raw? Yes but they won't taste very good. Most parts of the dandelion plant are very bitter. The roots will taste much better roasted.

Supplies need for dandelion root tea recipe

• dandelion roots
• Kitchen knife
• Roasting pan
• Coffee grinder

Once you have gathered enough roots, take them to the kitchen. Wash them thoroughly and pick off the fibrous stringy bits. Rinse them again and then cut into small pieces. You want them ¼ - ½ inch pieces or smaller.

Place on a roasting pan and bake at 250 degrees for 2 hours.  Flip after one hour to make sure all the sides are roasted.  Once they are cooked try to chop them even smaller. You  can put them in a coffee grinder to make them even finer.

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How to brew dandelion root tea

Put your root powder in a tea infuser and steep for about 20 minutes. It tastes very light and kind of earthy, a little sweet and a little bitter. I added a cinnamon stick to mine for a little more flavor.

Next time I think I will add some cloves and some nutmeg for even more flavor. You can drink it on it’s own, it’s just a little bland for my taste.  Store extra root powder in an airtight container.

How long should dandelion tea steep?

When you are making tea you never want to steep the tea in boiling water. You should bring the water to a boil and then let it sit for a few minutes before adding your diffuser or tea bag

If you place the tea in boiling water to steep you may burn the tea and it can affect the taste

I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't plan on liking the taste but I actually don't mind it at all. Since I have so many dandelions growing in my yard I will be experimenting with other recipes like dandelion salad and wine. Stay tuned.

What are the side effects of using dandelion root tea?

Dandelion is likely safe for most people when used in the amounts commonly found in food. It is possibly safe when used in medicinal amounts (larger amounts than those found in food).

Special precautions and warnings for dandelion root tea:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of dandelion during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Ragweed allergy: Dandelion can cause allergic reactions when taken by mouth or applied to the skin of sensitive people. People who are allergic to ragweed and related plants (daisies, chrysanthemums, marigolds) are likely to be allergic to dandelion. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking dandelion.