Dandelion Tea Benefits

Dandelion, which is often viewed as a weed, is in fact, one of the much valued herbs. Almost all parts of the plant are used for various purposes and the plant itself is very rich in nutrients. Dandelions are edible and are used for culinary purposes. Along with the leaves of this plants, which are mainly used, even the roots and flowers are also used. The leaves can be eaten both in cooked and raw forms (in salads). The flowers are used in wine making. The roots and flowers are also edible, but, these parts are cooked, so as to get rid of the bitter taste. Young and tender leaves are preferred to mature ones, that can be more bitter in taste. Apart from the culinary uses, dandelions have been used for its therapeutic value, for a very long time. It is one of the important herbs used in traditional medicine of Arabians and Native Americans. Even today, this herb is used in both fresh and dried forms. You can buy this herb in the form of capsules and extracts. Dandelion tea is one of the commonly used herbal tea.

Dandelion Nutrition

As mentioned above, this herb is rich in nutrients and have been used by humans, for its culinary uses and medicinal value. Dandelions are flowering plants that belong to the genus Taraxacum of Asteraceae family. There are numerous species and the most common ones like Taraxacum officinale and Taraxacum erythrospermum are found as weeds across the globe. The leaves of this plants are serrated, hairless and shiny and the flowers are small. These plants are perennials that can grow to a maximum height of around 12 inches. Dandelions are a good source of nutrients. These plants contain high levels of vitamin A, C, K and minerals like calcium, potassium, iron and manganese. This herb is a rich source of fiber, protein, carbohydrates and many other beneficial compounds. It is one of the rich sources of beta carotene and biotin.

Benefits of Dandelion Tea

This herb is used in various forms and tea is one among them. Herbal tea is made with dandelion roots or leaves, in fresh or dried forms. Dandelion tea has been used by humans through the centuries, for a variety of ailments and for general health.

• This herbal tea is said to be good for detoxification, that can help in cleansing the liver and kidneys.
• It can also act as a diuretic, that can increase the flow of urine, thereby preventing water retention in the body, by expelling excess water and salts.
• Dandelion leaf tea benefits include its role in blood purification and cleansing. It is also considered to be beneficial in improving the skin condition.
• This herbal tea is also found to be effective in treating digestive disorders like constipation and diarrhea.
• Dandelion tea benefits include its ability to control cholesterol and blood sugar levels. So, this herb is often recommended for diabetics.
• It is also said to have anti-inflammatory properties. So, tea made of dandelion is said to be useful for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
• Weight loss is claimed to be one of the benefits of dandelion tea. Weight loss may be due to its diuretic properties that reduces water retention in the body.

If you are interested in taking this herb, approach a qualified herbal practitioner and act as per his instructions. It will be better to seek the opinion of your doctor, as the herb may interact with other medication and supplements. Even though, it is considered one of the safe herbs, it may cause allergic reactions in some people. Those with gallbladder problems like gallstones, should avoid this herb.