Dandelion Loose Leaf Tea

Dandelion Plants

Few people would purposefully plant dandelions on their property, though herbalists are more than happy when the plants appear. The plant can proliferate easily after the plant flowers and goes to seed. Dandelions can reproduce from the root as well; pulling the top part of the plant from the ground will not kill this hardy plant.

Edible Parts of Dandelions

Every part of the dandelion is edible. The roots of the plant can be harvested and cooked with other root plants, such as potatoes and carrots. The root is mildly bitter and may be par-boiled prior to adding it to other roots in a cooking pot. The root is also roasted and ground and used as a coffee substitute.

The yellow blossoms are also edible. People may deep-fry them, add them to salads or even pickle them. The yellow blossoms are also the part of the dandelion used in wine making.

The dandelion leaf is the most often eaten part of the plant. The leaves can be used in salads or dried and made into dandelion loose leaf tea. The leaves are bitter, but are less so when picked before the plant blooms or after a frost.

Dandelion Loose Leaf Tea

Dandelion herbal tea is made from the dried leaves of the plant. The leaves are full of nutrients and are loaded with iron and calcium as well as other vitamins and minerals. The main active ingredients found in dandelion leaves are eudesmanolide and germacranolide.

Dandelion tea can be used in the following ways:

• As a gentle diuretic
• To decrease serum cholesterol
• As an appetite stimulant
• To purify the liver and gallbladder
• To treat respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, colds and bronchitis
• To treat tinnitus, rheumatism, hepatitis and jaundice

Making Dandelion Tea

Making dandelion tea is simple. Use two teaspoons of dried dandelion in 8 ounces of hot water. Steep for several minutes. If you are not used to the bitterness of the leaves, add a sweetener before drinking. An extract is also made of the leaves and can be used for making tea. The recipe for the extract is the same as for the dried leaf tea: two teaspoons of dandelion extract in 8 ounces of hot water.

Precautions

Dandelion tea may irritate the stomach lining in some individuals. It increases the amount of bile produced. People that have gallstones or gallbladder ailments should not drink dandelion tea. Occasionally, individuals who are allergic to plants in the daisy family may experience skin irritation when handling leaves or extract.

Individuals who are diabetic should carefully monitor their blood sugar levels when drinking dandelion tea. The tea also counteracts the effects of antacids and drugs that reduce acid production in the stomach.

Conclusion

The dandelion plant is very versatile and can be used in many ways, from soups and salads to tea and coffee. The plant can be grown in just about any environment. The best times to harvest the various parts of the dandelion plant are in early spring or after frost has passed. This is when the parts of the plant are the least bitter.

Dandelion tea can be used to treat a wide variety of ailments, though most notably as a diuretic to purify toxins from the body. Since it increases bile production, many people use it to stimulate the appetite or to aid in digestion. Individuals may make their own loose leaf tea by drying the young leaves of the plant or they may purchase the tea in tea bags or in extract form.