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Dandelions are called "flowers of the sun" due to their bright yellow color. In addition, they have become a kind of harbinger of a warm summer. Flowers are endowed with unique qualities. You can check the clocks on them, because they open exactly at 6 in the morning, and delicious dandelion jam is prepared from the petals and wine is infused. Tea from different parts of the plant is especially popular. The benefits and harms of dandelion tea depend on the composition of the drink.
Dandelion tea composition
Dandelion root is officially used in medicine, as it is a medicinal raw material for the manufacture of various products. The beneficial properties of dandelion tea depend on the way it is prepared. There are 3 types of drink:
- from leaves;
- roots;
- flowers.
A useful substance accumulates in the roots - inulin, it is this substance that becomes the basis of the benefits of tea. It is a storage carbohydrate that has natural prebiotic properties.
Dandelion leaves contain minerals, vitamins and proteins. Among them, the content of iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, ascorbic acid, vitamin E, riboflavin, and some B vitamins is increased.
Dietary fibers of roots and leaves have useful properties, they contribute to the normalization of digestive processes in the human body.
Dandelion inflorescences contain: flocosetacin, vitamins, cholines, saponins, natural resins, as well as salts of useful minerals.
Why dandelion tea is good for you
The benefits or harms of tea made from dandelion roots or leaves directly depend on the method of preparation.
Flower rhizome tea has special properties. It tastes like a coffee drink. Regular use helps to cleanse the body of toxins and toxins. It has the ability to improve the regeneration processes, helps to restore damaged tissues. Such actions have a beneficial effect on the development of immunity and the normalization of the metabolic process.
Tea from dandelion leaves prepared using leaf welding: in this case, it is necessary to control its quantity so as not to do more harm than good. Infusions with tea leaves have a strong tonic effect. Moderate consumption of the leafy drink helps to increase the immune strength, tends to relieve the symptoms of a cold.
Flowers make tea rich yellow and especially tasty. The infusion is useful for people with digestive problems, suffering from diseases of the stomach, liver or gallbladder. This tea is beneficial for those who have sleep disturbances, increased feelings of anxiety or irritability. This is due to the high content of vitamins and minerals that help strengthen the nervous system.
How to make dandelion tea
The benefits or harms of dandelion tea are directly dependent not only on the type of intake, but also on which part - leaves, flowers or roots - is taken as a basis.
From dandelion flowers
When collecting, inflorescences are recommended to be laid in 1 row so that they do not interfere with each other and do not damage the petals. After collecting them, they are laid out in the shade, dried for 1 - 2 days. Dried raw materials can be stored for about 12 months.
For brewing, take 1 tbsp. l. dry inflorescences, 200 ml of water. The flowers are poured with boiling water, insisted for 10 minutes. Add honey to the cooled drink, drink it in small sips.
From young leaves
Young light green leaves are dried after collection. Tea made from the material collected in the previous season is considered especially fragrant and healthy.
Raw materials are poured with boiling water, insisted in a thermos for several hours. Take 2 tbsp. l. before the main meal throughout the day.
Dandelion root
The roots are dug up, washed under warm water, and dried. The indicator of the readiness of the rhizome is the absence of leakage of cell sap in case of fracture. Raw materials are stored in containers made of natural materials for 5 years. If the storage conditions are observed, the roots retain their beneficial properties.
The classic version of making tea from the roots is considered to be a decoction of 50 - 70 g of crushed raw materials and 250 ml of water. The roots are poured with water, boiled for 15 minutes, cooled, filtered, taken with the addition of honey.
To remove sand from the kidneys
Herbal medicine helps treat kidney disease. Dandelion tea is considered an effective option.
To increase the benefits and reduce the harm from the use of a diuretic, juniper berries and birch buds are added to the classic version of tea.
Ingredients are taken in equal proportions, pour 1 tbsp. boiling water, leave to infuse for 1 hour, drink 3 times a day before the main meal, 1 tbsp. l.
Dandelion tea for weight loss
Dandelion tea is beneficial for weight loss. This becomes possible due to its ability to rid the body of excess fluid.
Losing weight with diuretics has its own characteristics, several effects are expected from their intake:
- prevention of edema;
- quick disposal of 1 - 2 kg;
- cleansing the body of toxins;
- normalization of the natural color of the skin.
When losing weight, it is recommended to drink tea from dried leaves throughout the day.
Can pregnant women drink dandelion tea?
While a woman is carrying a child, her body undergoes various changes. One of the problems during pregnancy is the appearance of numerous edema. To get rid of them, diuretics are used.
Dandelion tea is a natural medicine that can help remove excess fluid from the body.
Despite its beneficial properties, it is recommended to use it during pregnancy with extreme caution. This is due to the fact that when providing a diuretic effect, tea also affects the activity of the liver, which experiences increased stress during pregnancy.
To maximize the benefits and not harm the body, pregnant women are advised to take rhizome-based dandelion tea as a coffee substitute.
Dandelion tea harm and contraindications
Herbal medicine is widespread due to its high efficiency and minimal harm indicators. Dandelion can not be useful for everyone, there are limitations that must be taken into account.
- Dandelion tea can be harmful when taken with acetylsalicylic acid or some antibiotics. This is due to the fact that it tends to interfere with the absorption of these drugs.
- Natural carbohydrate content can be harmful to diabetics, especially when blood sugar levels are high.
- Dandelion drink should be taken with caution in those diagnosed with kidney or gallbladder stones. The properties of tea can cause harm, expressed in the unwanted movement of stones after ingestion.
When and How to Harvest Dandelions for Tea
Traditional medicine recipes store information about the various brewing options, as well as the periods for collecting raw materials.
Inflorescences begin to be harvested from the very beginning of flowering, young plants have the maximum content of nutrients. Flowers are harvested at a sufficient distance from roads or industrial facilities.
It is customary to collect tea leaves before the dandelion blooms or shoots flower arrows.
Collecting rhizomes is carried out 2 times: before the appearance of the first leaves or after flowering, in early autumn.
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of dandelion tea are interesting questions for those using herbal medicine as a treatment. There is a whole list of nuances to consider. Parts of the plant have different effects on human health. With proper collection, adherence to the storage regime and the rules of preparation, dandelion tea can become a highly effective drug.
