6 Health Benefits of Dandelion Tea

Here's everything you need to know about the latest health tea craze.

Although these flowers may be a gardener's worst nightmare, the latest wellness trend reveals that dandelions have certain health benefits. These "weeds" are commonly used in folk medicine and have been for years. They may not be the prettiest flowers one can find, but they can do wonders for your body. Dandelion tea is the new health tea on the market. It's made from either an infusion of the plant's leaves or made from roasted dandelion roots. Both options are safe to consume and have various health benefits. Here are six benefits to know before you drink dandelion tea.

Reduce Water Weight

Dandelion root lay next to white tea cup with yellow dandelions inside and a canister of "Super Herb Tea" lays next to it.

A common feature of most health teas is their ability to reduce the appearance of bloating and water weight. Dandelion tea is no different. The flower acts as a diuretic that helps to increase urine output. This helps to rid the body of sodium and excess water that contributes to bloating. Dandelion tea made from the leaves of the plant helps with this the most.

Promote Liver Health

Yellow dandelions hang from dark green bush.

Dandelion root has been regarded as a liver tonic in folk medicine for a long time. Studies suggest that the dandelion root helps increase the flow of stomach bile. Naturopaths believe that the root tea can help detoxify the liver, improve skin and eye problems, and relieve symptoms of liver disease.

Natural Coffee Substitute

Dark brown dandelion tea rests in clear teacup on a white saucer with a dandelion root laying in front of it.

While a cup of coffee in the morning is a good option for waking up the digestive system, dandelion can be used as a replacement for your caffeine fix. When dandelion root is roasted to a dark brown color, it can be steep and strained in hot water and used as a coffee replacement.

Weight Loss

Yellow dandelions hang from bright green bush with tiny white flowers resting behind them.

While it's important to be aware of weight-loss fads, there are studies to suggest that dandelion tea can actually help aid the weight loss process. According to a recent study conducted in Korea, dandelion tea is believed to have the same effects as the weight loss drug Oralist which breaks down fat by inhibiting the pancreatic lipase.

Aid Digestion

Yellow dandelion tea is placed in white tea cup on white saucer with dandelions laid around it.

While there is no concrete evidence to prove this to be true, it's believed that dandelions can help with digestion. Dandelion has been used to improve appetite, soothe minor digestive ailments, and relieve constipation.

Prevent Urinary Tract Infections

Tiny yellow dandelions are placed in dark brown dandelion tea in blue mug with shell detailing.

When paired with another herb, uva ursi, dandelion roots and leaves can be used to help prevent urinary tract infections. When combined with the increased urination properties of dandelion, the anti-bacterial properties of uva ursi help to combat any possible infections.