You can make dandelion root tea on your stovetop from fresh or dried roots, and it will help with digestion and appetite stimulation. You should have no trouble finding dandelion in your backyard if you use fresh root for the herbal tea. You can also use dried dandelion, either from roots you buy at a health food store or from your own foraged dandelion. Even though most people think dandelion root tea is safe, it's best to check with your doctor before making herbal tea from dried or fresh root.
Fresh Root
Step 1
Dig up as much of a dandelion plant as you can get with a deep spade or a dandelion fork. The plant’s taproot is quite long and twisted, so it can take some effort to unearth the entire plant.
Step 2
Separate the root from the leaves, stems and flowers, and rinse the root vigorously under cool running water. Save the leaves for another use, if desired.
Step 3
Bring 1 quart of water to boil in a saucepan.
Step 4
Chop dandelion root coarsely. Add 2 teaspoons of the chopped root to the saucepan, cover the pan and lower the heat.
Step 5
Simmer the dandelion root in the covered saucepan for about 1 minute.
Step 6
Remove the pan from the heat. Leave the dandelion root to steep in the covered pan for 40 minutes.
Step 7
Set a strainer over a teapot, and pour the infused liquid into the pot. Discard the root pieces.
Dried Root
Step 1
Bring 1 quart of water to boil in a saucepan.
Step 2
Chop 1/2 to 2 teaspoons dried root.
Step 3
Place the root pieces in the saucepan, and leave the water at a boil for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 4
Set a strainer over a teapot, and pour the infused liquid into the pot. Discard the root pieces.
Warnings
- Never dig up dandelion plants from an unfamiliar park or neighborhood lawn. Unless you know otherwise, it’s safest to assume the area in which the dandelions are growing has been treated with pesticides.
- Talk to your physician about possible interactions with prescriptions or pre-existing conditions. For example, because dandelion stimulates bile, people with blocked bile ducts or gall bladder issues may need to avoid the herb.
Tips
- Dried dandelion root is woodier than freshly-dug root pieces. For that reason, dried root tea comes from a decoction of the dried root set in boiling water for at least 5 minutes, while fresh roots can be slowly infused in simmering water.
- For additional nutrients, add chopped leaves to chopped roots when you’re using fresh dandelion plants for tea. After you remove the saucepan with the roots from the heat, add 2 teaspoons chopped, cleaned dandelion leaves, and replace the lid while the tea continues to steep.
Things You’ll Need
- 1-quart saucepan and lid
- Measuring spoon
- Strainer
- Teapot