Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), the weed that is dismissed as a weed by some, is valued for its health benefits by others. Naturopathic practitioners use dandelion root tea to treat skin conditions, liver disease and gastrointestinal upset. The theory is that dandelion root cleanses the liver and gallbladder, allowing for increased function. Dandelion is extremely nutritious, making it a good additive to the diet. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, dandelion is a rich source of vitamins A, B complex, C and D, as well as minerals such as iron, potassium, and zinc. Dandelion root tea has a mild, pleasant flavor that is slightly bitter and slightly sweet.
Step 1
Purchase dandelion root powder from a health food store or harvest dandelion root from your yard. (If you purchase dandelion root powder from a store, skip to the last step of this article.) How you harvest dandelion root will depend on the looseness of the soil. If the soil is soft, you may be able to pull the plant with its root out of the ground by hand. If the ground is compact and hard, use a small hand shovel to loosen the dirt so that you can pull the dandelion out with the root intact.
Step 2
Rinse the dandelion off under fresh running water.
Step 3
Separate the foliage from the root with a kitchen knife. Save the foliage to make salad or to use in other recipes. The foliage can be stored in the refrigerator wrapped in a moist paper towel.
Step 4
Soak the dandelion root in a large bowl of water for 15 minutes to remove any remaining dirt.
Step 5
Remove the dandelion root from the water and pat dry with a clean towel. Chop the root up into small pieces with a kitchen knife. The pieces should be about the size of chopped onions.
Step 6
Spread the dandelion root on a baking sheet and cook in the oven at 150 degrees F for two hours.
Step 7
Make dandelion root tea. To make the tea, combine 1 tbsp. of the roasted dandelion root or 1/2 tbsp. store-bought dandelion root powder with 8 oz. of water in a small sauce pan. (You can adjust the ratio of water to dandelion root to suit your palate.) Add 1/4 stick of cinnamon if desired. Heat the mixture over high heat and boil for five minutes. If you used the roasted dandelion root you will need to strain the tea through a sieve before drinking. Sweeten the tea with honey, if desired.
Things You'll Need
- Dandelion root powder or dandelion plants
- Small hand shovel
- Kitchen knife
- Large bowl
- Towel
- Baking sheet
- Small sauce pan
- Sieve
- Cinnamon stick
- Honey
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