Surprising health benefits of dandelion tea

Perhaps better known for being a pesky weed in the garden, dandelions do in fact have some great qualities.

Used for centuries in herbal medicine, dandelion tea can have some potential health benefits which you might not have considered before.

What is dandelion tea?

But first of all, what is dandelion tea?

There are two different types of this beverage and they can be consumed either hot or cold.

Dandelion leaf tea is an infusion made from the leaves of a dandelion plant. Whereas dandelion root tea is made from roasted dandelion roots.¹

Both have similar nutritional benefits and are considered safe to drink.

You can brew dandelion tea at home, from the plant. Or else you can buy it ready-to-brew as dandelion tea bags.

How to make dandelion tea at home

Making dandelion tea at home is very simple.

Just steep one tablespoon of dandelion stems or flowers, for 30 minutes, in five ounces of boiling water.

Strain the water and then the leftover liquid can be drunk.²

You can also roast the roots and stir these into hot water.

The taste may be quite bitter, so feel free to add a little honey to sweeten it up a bit.

Also, be sure that where you pick your dandelions has not previously been sprayed with any weedkiller, herbicides or pesticides.

Benefits of dandelion tea

Dandelion tea contains a number of nutrients which could be beneficial to your health.

One of these is vitamin A which is important for numerous bodily processes, including normal vision, the immune system, reproduction and the normal functioning of the heart, lungs, kidneys and other organs.^3,4

So what is dandelion tea good for? Here we investigate dandelion tea benefits for our health.

• A caffeine-free alternative hot drink

It is well known that too much caffeine is not good for us and so you might be looking to cut down on how much you drink each day.

Try swapping out some of your usual teas or coffees for a herbal dandelion tea instead – it makes a great alternative.⁵

There are lots of signs that you might be consuming too much caffeine including increased anxiety, difficulty sleeping and staining of the teeth.⁶

• Dandelion tea reduces your water weight

Dandelion tea acts as a diuretic and increases the amount of urine that leaves the body, helping you to feel less bloated.⁷

A study showed increased urine output after just two servings of dandelion tea, made from the leaves of the plant.⁸

This increase of urine production also helps the kidneys to clear out waste and salt, inhibiting microbial growth in the urinary system and also helping to replace some of the potassium that is lost in the process.⁹

• Dandelion tea supports your immune system

Dandelion tea is a good source of vitamin C which helps to support the normal functioning of the immune system.¹⁰

It is important to keep your immune system healthy, especially during the winter months, to help avoid catching seasonal colds and flu which can make you ill.

• Dandelion tea is good for digestion

Dandelion tea can have a positive effect on our digestive system.

It helps to maintain the normal flow of bile, as well as helping with mineral absorption and soothing the stomach lining.¹¹

Dandelion helps to stimulate digestion and aid constipation. It also contains inulin, which acts as a prebiotic, helping to promote the growth of good bacteria in the stomach.¹²

Dandelion has also been used historically to improve appetite. The bitter constituents which increase the flow of bile can also act as an appetite stimulant.¹³

• Dandelion tea helps to protect the liver

Dandelion root is an excellent source of antioxidants which help to protect the body from oxidative stress and cell damage.

Some of these antioxidants have a protective effect on the liver, helping to protect it from cellular damage caused by free radicals.¹⁴

Polysaccharides contained in dandelion help to remove stress on the liver as well as supporting the normal production of bile.¹⁵

• Dandelion tea helps to protect your bones

Did you know that dandelions contain calcium?

Drinking dandelion tea can help to support nerve transmission, blood clotting, hormone secretion and muscle contraction, as well as helping keep your teeth and bones healthy.¹⁶

Dandelion tea is an excellent source of potassium

Dandelion tea is rich in potassium which may help the kidneys to filter toxins more effectively, as well as helping to support the blood flow around the body.¹⁷

Last updated: 14 April 2021