Dandelion Tea
So I was walking around Ocean State Job Lot the other day, in need of some coconut oil, when I wandered into the tea section. I love different kinds of tea so decided I would grab a few boxes. Winter Spice…, that looks yummy! Oh and some Chai! That’s always good! Dandelion?! Um, what’s THAT taste like? I remembered someone in my Fibro group saying they wanted to try it and I knew it was a diuretic and let’s face it, who doesn’t want to lose bloat, so I put it in my cart. I had some last night with raw honey and coconut oil. I’m not quite sure what it tasted like. I can’t quite place it. It wasn’t bad. It didn’t taste like grass like I expected. So I decided to investigate about it’s health properties and from what I’m reading I’ll drink this stuff all day long, even if it did taste like grass! Here are some of the health benefits I read about…
~Dandelion leaf tea is an excellent supplement for helping with digestive issues, such as diarrhea and constipation. It is also used in many herbal detoxification formulas. Dandelion tea is also a diuretic that helps improve liver and kidney function. It can aid sufferers of hepatitis and those with liver disease. The tea is believed to regulate electrolytes in the blood, which may help to restore balance after a bout of diarrhea or vomiting.
~Due to its natural detoxification properties, dandelion can help to aid weight loss. Who doesn’t like some weight loss?! The tea also works as a cleanser to improve the appearance of the skin. It is a powerful antioxidant, which can also help to ward off viruses and strengthen the immune system.
~It is an anti-inflammatory! We know what that means! Awesome for fibro peeps and those with auto immune issues!
~Dandelion leaf tea is believed to be able to help sufferers of diabetes (both type 1 & 2) and can also help lower cholesterol.
~Memory loss due to age is believed to be alleviated by regular consumption of dandelion root tea and so may help those with the early signs of dementia or Alzheimerâs disease. Hmmm…I wonder if it helps with Fibro fog?! Stay tuned!
~Dandelion Tea is often used as a coffee substitute, with none of the coffee side effects.
~Dandelion can be used as a wash when the tea is steeped slightly longer than normal. The tea can be applied directly to the skin to help cleanse the pores, giving clearer, brighter skin and can be ideal for those prone to acne. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, dandelion is also ideal to use as a wash on wounds such as small scalds or burns and bruises.
As always if you’re on meds that might interact with Dandelion Tea or have an allergy to Dandelion then I would either check with your doctor or avoid the tea altogether.
I usually have two cups of tea a day. I’m going to start replacing one with the dandelion and see how it goes. Stay tuned! And let me know if you try it!!
Peace and Love!
Heather
