With March approaching, I’m starting to think about the possibility of a spring detox and one of my favorite healing roots –dandelion. Dandelion is a fantastic liver cleanser and spring is the perfect season for liver support.
According to Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, dandelion root has bitter, sweet, and cooling properties, making it optimal for the pitta dosha.
Although I use various parts of the dandelion for healing, here, I’m focusing on the root which is a good blood purifying herb. The root is also a useful remedy for stomachaches, and in herbal medicine is said to be beneficial for hypoglycemia and high blood pressure.
How can you get these benefits? According to The Way of Herbs
Dandelion Root Coffee
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons ground roasted dandelion root
- 2 tablespoons ground roasted chicory root
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Place water, dandelion root, chicory root, and cinnamon stick in a saucepan
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes
- Pour coffee into cups through a fine mesh strainer
- Add coconut milk or heavy cream if desired
- Serve
During my Ayurvedic training in the early 1990’s, we were taught that it is important when making tea with roots to boil them for 2-3 minutes to release the healing properties.
And I cannot forget to mention the synchronistic dandelion incident that took place with my friend Kelly from Celiac Chicks. It was 2009, and I was on my book tour in New York City for The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook. I was feeling a bit tired and craving my dandelion coffee. At one of the signings, which Kelly had so graciously arranged, I grabbed myself a hot water. Next thing you know, Kelly whipped a bag of dandelion tea
If you were wondering how to make dandelion coffee I’ve got you covered. Here are some of my other healing drink recipes for you!
karen says
Again….love your blog for so many reasons. Here is another one!
Can you share more of your ayurvedic ideas for cleansing?
Thanks!
Karen
LEXIE says
Thanks for the enlightenment? I appreciate your sharing your Ayurvedic knowledge/training with us. I so enjoy it and find it fascinating.
xo Lexie
Brandon says
I’ve been really wanting to try dandelion coffee for quite a while now. So far I’ve been taking dandelion root as a diruetic any time I feel I need to “cleanse”. Although I don’t do this often, it is a very powerful, healing root. Now I know how to make my own herbal coffee! :)
Diana says
I love dandelions, I cringe when I hear the chemicals and so forth that people use to get rid of them. Love roasted dandelion root tea and never thought of adding cinnamon- will have to try it!
Pat says
This sounds great. I used to use commercial coffee substitutes until I found out they had gluten in them. I’ll have to try this.
I didn’t know you had a gardening site!
Cassi Friz says
the approach of spring always makes me look forward to dandelion. Though usually the small greens- not usually the root. Can you roast a fresh root?
my son cracks me up- he eats the flowers as one of his favorite outside snacks, and the leaves, and nibbles the stems while telling people “you should eat this more, especially if you eat sugar too much.” tell me they’re not listening.
maybe this year i’ll add a new beverage to the mix, cause i do miss coffee!
elana says
Dear Cassi,
I bet you could roast your own dandi roots. If you try will you let us know how it goes?
Thanks :-)
Elana
nicole reilly says
the dandelion and chickory…is it a course ground that can be used in a french press?
elana says
Hi Nicole,
You can grind the dandelion root or leave it in chunks. Either way, I would recommend boiling it for 2-3 minutes in order to extract the healing benefits of the herb from the root.
Hope you enjoy,
Elana
Maggie says
I am really enjoying these post Elana. My husband is now addicted to licorice root tea. He’s always got it in his hand :) I love it when you speak ayurvedic to us too! So informative. Thanks Elana.
Ashley @ Taste for Healthy says
This sounds delicious! And so healthy and detoxing!! I have been wanting to try dandelion coffee for a while now… so far I’ve just been drinking dandelion tea! :)
Deb Plummer says
I drink a product made of pulverized dandelion and chicory roots, and I think barley — (I don’t have the bag anymore to check!) called Dandi-Blend. It is delicious and I think the addition of cinnamon is a great idea!! I have replaced all but my first cup of coffee with this drink. Can be enjoyed hot or cold — I drink it hot because it is winter… :-)
Yulia says
Watch out! Barley is not gluten free. May be not for majority on this list.
Deanna says
Dandy Blend claims to be gluten-free on their website because gluten isn’t water soluble. But even the best mesh strainers can let some parts of grains through. Seems like the company has a weird understanding of the meaning of the term “gluten free.”
Chef Rachel says
Dandy blend has been Elisa tested and shown to be gluten free according to the information on the Dandy Blend web site. The reason is that the way that they make it is to brew the mixture then freeze dry the filtered beverage. They are not using the kinds of filers you or I would use at home. What they say is that the gluten does not extract into the water used for brewing. You can go to the company’s web site to see the copy of the Elisa test.
The same is true for Teeccino, a roasted chicory root coffee alternative that also includes barley. I talked to the company’s dietician some years ago after being concerned that they had falsely labeled their product gluten free. They post the Elisa test results on their web site as well.
Adrienne says
This sounds very good. I’ll have to try it. I’ve also been thinking about a cleanse. I might do a combination of recommendations by Dr. Oz and Kathleen Freston (Veganist). Dr. Oz recommended abstaining from grains of all kinds and replacing them with cruciforous vegetables, like broccoli, which cleanse the liver. I’ve been meaning to quit dairy, as I’m intolerant to it, but addicted. The 21 day cleanse that Kathy Freston recommends, without meat, dairy, sugar or alcohol, might cure me of my sugar addiction. It’s a good idea. Thanks for your inspiration!
Sheila says
Gluten advisory- Teccino contains barley- be sure to leave it out if you are celiac!