Dandelion Root Tea For Weight Loss - Is It Legit?

Did you know that the plant you commonly consider to be a backyard weed can be made into a nutritious herbal tea with immense health benefits? Yes, that fresh leafy green plant you often spray or even uproot. The Dandelion! This plant has a very rich history as a medicinal plant dating back to 900 AD.

But, does drinking dandelion root tea for weight loss really work?

I’m going to tell you exactly why there is so much confusion around the subject.

 

Do not drink dandelion tea before you read this guide.

 

What is a Dandelion?

Dandelion is a flowering plant that belongs to the Taraxacum species. Although most people consider it a weed, it is an edible plant with immense health benefits. Traditionally, it has been used as a medicinal plant for curing several ailments and complications. Natively, the plant traces its origin in North America, Asia, and Europe. However, it can be found in several parts of the world.

Dandelion is highly nutritive and has a wide range of vitamins except vitamin D. Moreover, it is rich in metals such as Calcium, potassium, sodium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, zinc and iron. The plant also contains carbohydrates and proteins.

 

How Dandelion Tea Facilitates Weight Loss

1. Dandelion Tea Diuretic Effect.

Dandelion has a high potassium content which gives it diuretic properties and supports the reduction of body water retention. Authoritative publications in the field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine indicate that some herbs may help in weight loss through complementing exercise and diet since they promote healthy metabolism, activate elimination processes,  and relieve stress. According to a scientific study carried out on humans, it was proven that Dandelion extracts have the potential of increasing urination - a form of elimination - in the five hours period after the first use. Well, this indicates that Dandelion tea can increase the frequency of urination, and this will result in weight loss. It must be categorically stated that the concentration of Dandelion in the tea determines whether it will offer the required remedy for the body.

Even though Dandelion tea promotes diuresis and, as a result, helps in shedding water weight, its ability to reduce weight for the overweight people is quite controversial. Its weight loss capabilities may not be very robust since it does not increase metabolism associated thermogenesis. Nonetheless, this does not imply that it lacks weight loss abilities. Far from it. Dandelion root tea has weight loss capabilities, but they may not be strong enough.

It is, therefore, appropriate to take it with other supplements to efficiently perform the task.

2. Body Stamina and Endurance improvement.

In 2011, a study published in African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines revealed that Dandelion tea could improve endurance during exercise. The study was carried on animals which were regularly provided with Dandelion. From the findings, it was ascertained that the animals exhibited signs of endurance – hence implying that Dandelion could be very beneficial for those individuals on weight loss since it provides them with endurance during exercises.

Admittedly, Dandelion tea may not be as popular as peppermint tea or green teas when it comes to the best teas for detox, but its health benefits and supplementation in the whole process cannot be wished away. Slowly and progressively, Dandelion tea can help in the reduction of body pounds.

 

What are the potential side effects?

The diuretic property of Dandelion tea initiates frequent urination. Depending on the frequency of use, dehydration may occur as a result of electrolyte imbalances in the body which results in thirst, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramp, blurred vision, extreme tiredness, and headaches.

The biggest problem with using Dandelion tea is that it only results in weight loss occasioned by the loss of water weight as opposed to fat weight. Hence, once the body becomes hydrated again, you will likely gain weight.

Dandelion Root Tea Guide.

There are three types of Dandelion: the leaf, flower and the root, and both are used to alleviate symptoms of different ailments such as liver dysfunction, diabetes and bloating. Nonetheless, the root is commonly used for medicinal purposes and has more health benefits.

Dandelion root tea comes in capsules, dried powder or tea bags. To obtain the best tea, you can always find it in your garden. It is fresh from your garden and can be found almost everywhere.

What to look for in purchasing Dandelion root.

If you want to buy dried or fresh Dandelion root for making your tea, always ensure that it is:

•   Not less than two years old.
•   Well-formed, vast and fleshy, and not forked or slender.
•   Harvested during autumn or spring.
•   Properly stored in a dry place once it is dried to avoid beetles, moths and moulds. Commonly, the plan attracts maggots, and therefore it should not be stored beyond one season.
•   Dry enough to ensure that the root is brittle. The roots should never be grey on the inside. They should instead be white.
•   If the dandelion leaf is attached, it should be bright and green without holes or dead leaves.

 

Precautions.

You must always beware of false or counterfeit Dandelions. Some flowers look familiar to Dandelions and even have the yellow flower heads that are characteristic of the Dandelion. However, they are not the real Dandelion. So, if you want to pick your Dandelion, then you should beware of the flowers that resemble it.

Catsear, also referred to as Hypochaeris, is a flower that may easily confuse you. Like Dandelion, it also has white seeds and yellow florets. But, the similarities end there. You need to clearly know the difference to avoid eating the wrong root of the plant. Nonetheless, Catsear is an edible plant and does not pose any health threats but using its root for tea will make you lose on the medicinal and culinary benefits.

Dried Dandelion root has some slight resemblance to the liquorice and pellitory roots. However, the latter has oil glands while the former has a sweet taste. Moreover, the two have large radiate wood.

 

Roasted Dandelion Root Tea.

Dandelion root tea can be available in roasted form. If you have tried hard to give up on coffee, it is time you considered using roasted Dandelion root tea. The tea can be an excellent substitute to coffee. Although roasting Dandelion results in an increase in advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), limiting your intake per day will not result in increased AGEs production in the body that will end up destroying your health. In particular, if you are diagnosed with AGE related ailments such as cancer, dementia, diabetes or aging. Then you should entirely limit the amount of roasted Dandelion tea you take.

 

Dandelion Root Recipes

How to Make Roasted Dandelion Root Tea

The taste of the tea is more robust and is more aromatic than the one from fresh roots.

1. When you roast the roots, the washed and chopped roots are spread on a baking sheet and allowed to slowly roast in the oven until they turn dark brown in color. You can let the oven be open to allow faster moisture escape that will facilitate more rapid drying.
2. After the roots have been roasted, 1-2 tablespoons of roasted roots are simmered in 1-2 cups of water for between 10 -20 minutes.
3. Remove the simmered mixture from the fire and allow to cool.
4. The cooled roots are then coarsely ground in a coffee grinder and brewed in using a French press, similar to coffee making.
5. The Dandelion tea can then be served with maple syrup, cinnamon stick, honey, citrus, or cream.

 

Creamy Roasted Dandelion Root Tea Recipe

Ingredients.

• Two tablespoons of roasted Dandelion root
• 2 cups of water
• One tablespoon of butter

Directions.

1. Place the water and dandelion root in a saucepan.
2. Place it on heat and bring to boil
3. Allow 20 minutes for the mixture to simmer.
4. Compost the roots and reserve the liquid.
5. Place the Dandelion root tea and butter in a blender and blend for 10 minutes
6. Pour the contents into a cup and immediately enjoy the drink.

Servings: 1 serving.

 

Dandelion Root Java

Ingredients.

• 4 cups of water.
• 1 Cinnamon stick.
• 2 tablespoon of roasted carob.
• 1 tablespoon of chicory root.
• 2 tablespoon of Dandelion root.

 

Directions:

1. Add water, cinnamon, chicory and Dandelion root into a large pot and allow it to boil.
2. Regulate the heat and let the mixture simmer for five minutes.
3. Strain the mixture into cups and enjoy.

Serving: 4 cups

 

Dandelion Chai Tea

Ingredients.

• 2 cups Water.
• 1 Cinnamon stick.
• 1 Clove.
• 1 Cardamom pod.
• 2 tablespoons of Dandelion Root.
• Half a tablespoon of Anise seed.
• One Tablespoon of Ginger root.
• 3 Black Peppercorns.

 

Directions.

1. Place the ingredients into a pot and let it boil.
2. Regulate the heat and allow them to simmer for five minutes.
3. Give the mixture time for steeping for five minutes then remove it from the heat.
4. Serve and add raw sugar or honey as desired.

Servings: 2 servings.

 

Spiced Dandelion Root Tea

Ingredients.

• 2 tablespoons of Dandelion Root.
• 2 cups Water.
• 1 Cinnamon stick.
• ¼-inch strip Orange peel.
• ¼-inch slice Fresh ginger root.
• 2 cups Water.
• Honey (optional).

 

Directions:

1. Place the ingredients into a pot over a medium amount of heat.
2. Simmer the mixture, gently, for 15 minutes.
3. Strain the mixture into cups.
4. If desired, sweeten with honey and enjoy.

Servings: 2 servings.

 

Dandelion Peach Iced Tea

Ingredients.

• 1 cup of chilled Dandelion Root tea.
• 1 tablespoon of honey.
• ¼ tablespoon of Fresh vanilla.
• 1 Peach, peeled & chopped.

 

Directions:

1. Place peaches, vanilla and honey and run until it is smooth.
2. Pour chilled tea and blend for an additional 30 minutes.
3. Pour into a glass and enjoy.
4. You can strain it if you find it too thick.

Servings: 2 servings.

 

Blueberry Dandelion Sweet Tea

Ingredients.

• 1 juiced lemon.
• 1 ½ cups of blueberries, frozen.
• Fresh blueberries (for garnish.)
• 4 cups Dandelion Root tea.
• ¾ cup Fine brown sugar.

 

Directions:

1. Place lemon juice and blueberries into a saucepan and apply some heat until they boil then remove from the heat.
2. Allow the mixture to cool for 5 minutes, press down to get all the juice and then strain into a glass.
3. Add some tea into the mixture and stir.
4. Use fresh blueberries to garnish the mixture.
5. Serve and enjoy the tea.

Servings: 4 servings.

Sweet & Tangy Citrus Dandelion Tea

Ingredients

• ½ cup Fresh lemon juice.
• ½ cup Fresh orange juice.
• 2/3 cup Brown sugar.
• 1 Lemon, sliced (garnish).
• 2 cloves.
• 1 ½ cups Pineapple juice.
• 3 cups Water.
• Crushed ice.
• 2 Dandelion Root tea bags.
• 1 Lemon, sliced (garnish).

Directions:

1. Add water and cloves to a saucepan and allow to boil over moderate heat.
2. Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes then remove it from the heat.
3. Add tea bag into the mixture and let it steep for 5 minutes.
4. Eliminate the cloves and bags then add juices and sugar.
5. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved then chill for 1 hour.
6. Garnish the mixture with lemon slices and serve it with crushed ice.

Minty Dandelion Punch

Ingredients

• 5 cups Cold water.
• 3 cups boiling water.
• 12 Mint chopped leaves.
• ¼ cup Fresh lemon juice.
• 1 cup Sugar.
• ¼ cup Fresh lemon juice.
• 2-3 Oranges, juiced.
• 1 sliced Lemon for garnish.
• 1 sliced Orange for garnish.
• 4 Dandelion Root tea bags.

Directions

1. Place the chopped mint leaves and tea bags into a pitcher and pour boiling water into it.
2. Steep the mixture for 10 minutes and then remove the bags.
3. Add sugar into the mixture, stir it until it is completely dissolved then add lemon and orange juices.
4. With cold water, top off the mixture and allow it to sit for 30 minutes.
5. Garnish with fruit chopping and service over ice.

Servings: 1 pitcher.