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, “Roasted dandelion root makes a pleasant beverage that can be consumed daily. It combines well with kukicha tea or chicory root.” I pair dandelion root with chicory which gives this Dandelion Root Coffee a deliciously bitter, coffee-like flavor. I also add cinnamon sticks because I love the flavor and healing properties of cinnamon. Here’s a delicious way to get healing dandelion root into your diet.
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 out of her purse. She gave it to me and we discussed our love affair with dandelion root.
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!
Nancy says
HI Elana: Quick question? Do you have a source that you love for dandelion and chicory root? I have been looking locally and have struck out many times. I’m craving to make this tea as I am vigilant about eliminating decaf coffee from my health regime.
I know that in a pinch I could use a teabag of dandelion and one of chicory, but being the holistic foodie that I am, I really prefer my own preparation filled with my intention. Many thanks for whatever your can share with me! In kindness – Nancy
Elana says
Nancy, all of the ingredients are linked in the top portion of the recipe. Just click the green text and you will be taken to a place to purchase them :-)
Sheila says
Dandelion root coffee- GLUTEN ADVISORY!!! Teccino has barley in it; barley contains gluten. i went to buy some yesterday and was so glad I read the label.
sally meyer says
appreciate the heads up.
Natalie Zodda says
I was just on Amazon looking at Teccino and it says gluten-free, no mention of barley in it. Maybe they’ve changed the formulation since you’ve looked?
Sabrina says
And so does Dandy Blend brand. :(
I almost bought it before reading the ingredients. SO glad I came across this recipe!
Thanks Elana!
Donna says
It’s only extracts of barley and rye, so no gluten gets through the extraction process.
Lindsey says
I bought bonvit! This is gluten free. Not sure if it’s quality as yet to try it ?
MEM says
Regular Teecino has barley, but their Dandelion Root blend is grain and gluten free.
Laura says
This looks great! Must try! I was diagnosed with low thyroid a few years back, and found that a whole foods vegan diet greatly improved my symptoms but I still feel tired sometimes (I’m sure the coffee isn’t helping my thyroid)..
Elana says
Thanks for your comment Laura!
Gail Schnitzer says
Where do you buy dandelion root & chicory root? What types of stores carries them?
Elana says
Gail, all of the ingredients are linked in the top portion of the recipe. Just click the green text and you will be taken to a place to purchase them :-)
Tam says
This is delicious! I was worried that I might have bought too much of the ingredients, but now I’m not sure if I bought enough! :) This is going to be my new go-to drink every morning. Love the fact that it’s good for me and LOVE the taste!
Elana says
Tam, I’m so happy to hear that you LOVE the taste of this healing beverage!
Beth says
Is there a restriction on the number of cups to have on a daily basis?
Elana says
Beth, I drink a couple of cups a day and I’m fine, but I would definitely check in with your healthcare practitioner on that :-)
Judith says
By the way I tried this using your “instant” recipe using tea bags. It was so yummy, I am going to purchase the bulk herbs so I can make it up ahead and keep it in the refrigerator. It would be pretty expensive to make several cups a day using the tea bag method. However, that said it’s great to know I can always bring it with me using the tea bags. Thank you so much!
Lisa says
Elana, Thank you so very much for posting this recipe! I am extremely grateful to you because I love the flavor and have struggled all of my adult life with the addiction to coffee. To put it bluntly, the caffeine in coffee makes me potentially bitchy, edgy, reactive, moody, and yet because of the wonderful flavor and addictive jolt, I couldn’t let it go. I also have suffered from sleep issues, so it was silly to keep going in this destructive cycle. I wouldn’t sleep, then drink coffee to get going, and on and on it went. This dandelion coffee did it for me, finally I am free. I didn’t do the Dandy Blend because I am gluten-intolerant and couldn’t be sure if it was safe. And this recipe is YUMMY!!!!
Mary Himmer says
Dandy Blend is gluten free, so wouldn’t have barley. I have celiac disease and can have Dandy Blend should I so choose, but as an herbalist, I would prefer making something like this recipe.
Sabrina says
Dandy Blend contains extracts of roasted barley, rye, chicory root, dandelion root and sugar beet.
Judith says
went to their site, they are out of stock for both dandelion and chicory
Elana Amsterdam says
Hi Judith,
Sometimes that happens right after I do a post and link to a product. Even though my site feels small and intimate more than 30,000 people visit here each day :-)
Check back with that vendor in the next week or so and I bet they’ll have more product.
xo Elana
Laura Hofer says
Great recipe and easy to make! I found both roasted roots in a local, organically oriented small grocery. A tasty alternative to the teas I have been drinking since I gave up coffee!
joeyz51 says
I started drinking Dandelion Blend Coffee back in 1971. Yep, that’s right 1971. When I lived in Canada we owned a store called the Golden Granary. We used to sell a Dandelion coffee you had to brew on the stove in a pot. I can’t recall what all was in it, but I loved it. Then years later they came out with an instant coffee like the one Elana has put together, and I buy it at the local Herb Store. It’s very tasty!