Forgive the somewhat lame pun, but for all you tea drinkers out there, consider making – yes, making – your own tea from dandelion leaves! I know, I was surprised too when I discovered that the dandelion plant had other uses besides solely existing for the purpose of wreaking havoc in people’s lawns. Dandelion tea is actually super delicious (with or without honey), chock-full of health benefits, and pretty wallet-friendly too.
My first encounter with this tea was when one day, my parents returned from their walk carrying a bag full of dandelion leaves. My first reaction was extreme horror, because the last time my parents brought home dandelion greens, they had tried to make me eat them. Don’t get me wrong, some people, (like my dad) actually enjoy the taste of “bitterness-to-the-brink-of-tears” on their taste buds, but unless you’re one of those people, stay away from eating the leaves (though they are good for indigestion). Anyway, my mom then proceeded to dry them in the sun and the next day, boiled them in water and made me drink the green-tinged concoction. Naturally, I was expecting something bitter and well, utterly disgusting, but the tea was actually surprisingly good. In fact, not only was it not bitter, it was also curiously reminiscent of green tea, though with a decidedly different hint of something that one can only call “dandelion.” You won’t know it until you try.
Then, for a health nut and biology nerd like me, the next logical step was to Google dandelion tea and find out just exactly what it was good for. I discovered that dandelion greens are natural diuretics, meaning they allow your body to increase urine production and subsequently lower excess fluids in your body. It is also an excellent detoxifying agent, and can aid in the appearance of smoother, healthier-looking skin and can even promote weight loss. The list of benefits continues, but I’m going to stop before I start sounding like one of those annoying salespeople in extended TV commercials. But, if you’re interested, feel free to check out http://www.leaflady.org/health_benefits_of_dandelions.htm for more information.
So, I leave you with one thought: next time spring rolls around, give this dandelion thing a try. It’s super easy to do – pluck a couple of leaves, dry them out, boil, steep, drink. Plus, if you really get into it, your lawn might start looking greener too. Finally, if you’re really brave enough, give the leaves a try too. Make a salad or something.
