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Better known as that yellow flower that pops up on garden paths, dandelion tea isn’t the usual choice for a cuppa. With the help of a H&B nutritionist, let’s weed out the potential benefits
Summary
1What is dandelion tea?
“Dandelion tea is a herbal infusion made from the leaves, flowers or roots of the dandelion plant...”
2How to make dandelion tea at home
“You can add a bit of Manuka honey for sweetness and it not only enhances the flavour but also may provide additional health benefits...”
3Benefits of dandelion tea
So what is dandelion tea good for? Let’s dig up the potential dandelion tea benefits for our wellness...
Perhaps more familiar as a pesky garden weed, dandelions are growing in popularity as a herbal tea hero. Used for centuries in herbal medicine, dandelion tea could potentially hold some potential benefits which you might not have considered before.
“Personally, I like dandelion tea because it not only offers a unique taste but also boasts a range of benefits,” shares Madalena Vieira Costa, in-house nutritionist at H&B.
“It's a comforting drink that can be enjoyed warm or cold, and has been historically used for various wellness issues.”
This little weed has us intrigued – let’s find out more.
What is dandelion tea?
“Dandelion tea is a herbal infusion made from the leaves, flowers or roots of the dandelion plant,” she says.There are two different types of this beverage and, as Madalena suggests, they can both be consumed either hot or cold.
Dandelion leaf tea is an infusion made from the leaves of a dandelion plant, known to botanists as taraxacum. Whereas dandelion root tea is made from roasted dandelion roots. Both have similar nutritional content and are considered safe to drink.
You can brew dandelion tea at home, from the plant. Or of course, 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 150ml of boiling water.Strain the water and then the leftover liquid can be drunk. You can also roast the roots and stir these into hot water.
“You can add a bit of Manuka honey for sweetness and it not only enhances the flavour but also may provide additional health benefits,” suggests Madalena.
Of course, there’s still the option to buy dandelion tea in bags. So simply flick the kettle on (or not) and brew to the suggested instructions.
“I prefer to have it cold during the warmer months with a bit of honey and lemon, then warmed up during winter. You can also mix it with other teas to enhance benefits and taste – for example, you can mix it with ginger,” says Madalena.
Benefits of dandelion tea
Dandelion tea contains a number of nutrients which could be beneficial to your health, though there is still research to be done. Madalena agrees.
“While there is some evidence supporting the potential benefits of dandelion tea, it's essential to approach these findings with caution. Many studies are preliminary or conducted in animal models, and more human clinical trials are needed to establish definitive health benefits.”
One of these is vitamin A which is important for numerous bodily processes, including normal vision, skin, the immune system, normal membranes and iron metabolism.1,2
So what is dandelion tea good for? Let’s dig up the potential dandelion tea benefits for our wellness.
- A caffeine-free alternative hot drink
It’s well-known that too much caffeine isn’t good for us and so you might be looking to cut down on how much you drink each day.If you still love the comfort of a warm drink, why not try swapping out some of your usual teas or coffees for a herbal dandelion tea instead?
- Dandelion tea may reduce your water weight
Dandelion tea could act as a diuretic, meaning it increases the amount of pee that leaves the body, helping you to feel less bloated.3A small study showed increased urine output after just two servings of dandelion tea, made from the leaves of the plant.3
This increase of urine production also helps the kidneys to clear out waste and salt.1
- Dandelion tea contains vitamin C, to support your immune system
Dandelion tea is a good source of vitamin C which helps to support the normal functioning the immune system.3,4It’s 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 root is a source of antioxidants which help to protect the body from oxidative stress and cell damage.5
Emerging evidence in animal models suggest that polysaccharides contained in dandelion may help to remove stress on the liver as well as supporting the normal production of bile.6
As well as vitamin A and C, it’s also a great source of B2, K1 and iron.7 While vitamin B2 helps your body with fatigue, normal red blood cells and vision, K1 can support your bones and normal blood clotting.8, 9
- Dandelion tea contains antioxidants
Dandelion root is a source of antioxidants which help to protect the body from oxidative stress and cell damage.5Emerging evidence in animal models suggest that polysaccharides contained in dandelion may help to remove stress on the liver as well as supporting the normal production of bile.6
- Dandelion tea contains a range of vitamins
As well as vitamin A and C, it’s also a great source of B2, K1 and iron.7 While vitamin B2 helps your body with fatigue, normal red blood cells and vision, K1 can support your bones and normal blood clotting.8, 9The final say
It turns out there’s so much more to dandelion than expected. When you next see that little yellow weed sprout up in spring, you might think differently about its potential tasty benefits in the herbal world.Before you start sipping away on the daily, it’s important to note that there are still lots of studies to be done into this colourful flower. That said, herbal teas are often a great caffeine-free way to wind down as part of your bedtime routine. So why not pop the kettle on and give it a sip?
The advice in this article is for information only and some of the information reflects the opinion of our in-house nutritionist and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
- Olas B. New Perspectives on the Effect of Dandelion, Its Food Products and Other Preparations on the Cardiovascular System and Its Diseases. Nutrients. 2022 Mar 24;14(7):1350.
- NHS . Vitamin A - Vitamins and minerals [Internet]. NHS. 2020. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-a/
- Clare BA, Conroy RS, Spelman K. The Diuretic Effect in Human Subjects of an Extract of Taraxacum officinale Folium over a Single Day. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine [Internet]. 2009 Aug 1;15(8):929–34. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3155102/
- NHS. Vitamin C - Vitamins and minerals [Internet]. NHS. Crown Copyright; 2020. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-c/
- Di Napoli A, Zucchetti P. A comprehensive review of the benefits of Taraxacum officinale on human health. Bulletin of the National Research Centre. 2021 Jun 9;45(1).
- Pfingstgraf IO, Taulescu M, Pop RM, Orăsan R, Vlase L, Uifalean A, et al. Protective Effects of Taraxacum officinale L. (Dandelion) Root Extract in Experimental Acute on Chronic Liver Failure. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) [Internet]. 2021 Mar 24;10(4). Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33804908/
- Nutritics. Dandelion tea nutritional value. Available from: https://www.nutritics.com/en/
- NHS . B vitamins and folic acid - Vitamins and minerals [Internet]. Nhs. 2020. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-b/
- NHS. Vitamin K - Vitamins and minerals [Internet]. Nhs. 2020. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-k/
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