Boil one cup of water. Add dandelion flowers. Steep for five to ten minutes. Refrigerate tea for four to thirty-six hours. Today it’s used in tea and as a coffee substitute. Seeds can be purchased or gathered from plants’ heads once puffball shaped. Seeds can be planted from early spring until October. A spacing of 6-9 inches between plants is advised in rows 12 inches apart. Digging up the roots is tricky and time consuming. If you don’t have dandelions, buy roasted root online. If you have dandelions, we’ll cover how to forage, roast and brew your own dandelion coffee. We’ll cover three ways: decoction, using a press and using a tea ball. Use a dandelion digger or fork to dig roots. Break the root as little as possible to not lose sap, which has medicinal properties. Dandelion root helps enhance liver function by restoring hydration and electrolyte balance. It eliminates toxins. It has a bitter compound that increases bile flow. This helps the liver detoxify more efficiently. Some people experience a mild laxative effect. This promotes digestive health and clears toxins. This lasts three days maximum. After that, it improves digestion. Drinking dandelion tea may aid weight loss. The potassium can act as a diuretic and increase urine output. Additionally, dandelion tea is low in calories. This makes it an excellent choice when dieting. Taproots are often 2-3 feet deep. So completely remove them or they’ll grow back. Add your desired sweetener, and enjoy dandelion tea. When using dandelions from your yard, dig up the entire plant to get the taproot.
Maté is a natural energy booster. It contains antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. You can make maté tea with tea strainers, tea pots, french presses, or even coffee makers. Use 1 tablespoon of maté per 8 ounces of water. Let it steep for 3-5 minutes. Drink maté on an empty stomach.
Maté is often mixed with dried fruits and flowers, giving natural, wonderful aroma. Start with flavored maté if the bitterness is too much. Brewing maté takes practice. Follow this easy guide to prepare it. You’ll need a bombilla straw and a gourd. Fill the gourd two-thirds with maté. Tilt so maté covers one side. Pour in lukewarm water. Wait a minute for it to absorb. Repeat with 140-176° F water. Put the bombilla straw into the tea at an angle.
Dandelion root cleanses the liver. It also protects bones. However, burdock root may slow blood clotting. Milk thistle treats liver. Its leaves and pills aid breast milk flow too. Do not take dandelion alongside lithium, antibiotics like Cipro, blood thinners, water pills, heart or blood pressure medications. Naturopaths believe dandelion root tea detoxifies the liver. It may help skin, eye issues and liver disease.
To enjoy dandelion root benefits, make simple tincture from roots. Harvest dandelions correctly. Do not use dandelions sprayed with chemicals. If lacking flowers, buy from Etsy. Mix dandelion and burdock drink with liquor.
Pull out entire dandelion root to kill plant. Roots have vitamins, minerals and fiber. They improve liver, kidneys, stomach and metabolism. Use powdered roots to treat diseases. After rain, soft soil lets weeds pull out easily. A stand-up claw tool also removes weeds.
First start by rinsing the leaves to remove dirt. Next choose from brewing techniques to enhance flavors:
- Pour hot, not boiling, water over ingredients for milder taste.
- Boil leaves in water for robust flavors.
- Or combine leaves with cold water for 12-24 hours.
Consider water temperature, as it affects how quickly flavor is released. Ideally 160-180°F for optimal brewing. Experiment with different maté amounts and 1 to 3 minute steeping times to find your preferred strength. Never use boiling water.
Maté naturally has caffeine unlike most herbal teas. Can be made hot or cold. Offers health benefits like improved brain function and preventing cancers. Replaces tea due to stimulant compounds. Gives energy without common coffee side effects like trouble sleeping.
Can add mint, chamomile or fruits for flavor. Cold brewing brings out fruitier taste.
Reuse maté 10 to 30 times until flavor gone. Cold brewed has same caffeine as hot. Known as "tea of the gods" due to bold flavor and health benefits. One of South America’s most popular infusions, but not a traditional tea. Made from holly plant Ilex paraguariensis. Provides energizing effect similar to coffee and tea.