Dandelions aren’t just a pesky weed! They contain a surprising amount of health benefits. In fact, tea from dandelion leaves and roots has been used in traditional Chinese and Native American medicine for centuries. I discovered the magic of dandelion root tea a few years ago when I was researching ways to shed water weight. I was really impressed with how quickly the tea went to work alleviating bloat. Within hours I felt leaner and less puffy. Since then I’ve been using the tea for a variety of reasons. Here are a few of my favorite reasons!
Feeling bloaty? Ain’t no one got time for that! Dandelion root tea is a natural diuretic. Having 1-3 cups a day will regulate your digestion, and get rid of unwanted bloat. Perfect for “that time of the month” or after indulging in too much Mexican food!
Feeling stopped up? Dandelion acts as a gentle laxative, usually producing a bowel movement within 4-8 hours. Or try it next time you have an upset stomach. A cup of this tea always settles my tummy quickly and effectively.
Drink a little too much over the weekend? This tea’s got your back. The liver is one of your body’s most important organs. Dandelion helps detoxify your liver and cleanse your kidneys so they can perform more efficiently. It increases bile production, and helps your body to break down toxins then remove them from your bloodstream.
These are some of the benefits I’ve personally experienced, but there are numerous studies being done on dandelion’s ability to fight cancer cells, prevent UTI’s, and aid in weight loss. You can pick up a box of dandelion root tea at most grocery stores including Publix, Target, and Whole Foods.
Wanna go straight to the source? Dandelion’s can be eaten raw or cooked and used in recipes. I can’t say I’ve been quite that bada** yet, but here’s the nutritional info for one cup of dandelions:
- 25 calories
- 42 milligrams of sodium
- 218 milligrams of potassium
- 5 grams of carbohydrates
- 7 percent dietary fiber
- 535 percent vitamin K
- 111 percent vitamin A
- 32 percent vitamin C
- 5 percent vitamin B6
- 10 percent calcium
- 9 percent iron
- 5 percent magnesium