Liver is a very important organ of your body. It makes protein, manufacturers triglycerides and cholesterol and produces bile besides doing many other functions. Liver is the largest internal body organ and it sits on the right side of the belly button.
Malfunctioning of liver can cause many diseases including hepatitis, cirrhosis and cancers. The toxins of liver can be removed by natural remedies such as dandelion root tea to improve liver functioning by cleansing and detox.
Table of Contents
- How Dandelion Improves Liver Function for Detox?
- How to Use Dandelion and Its Tea for Liver Detox
- How to Make Dandelion Tea for Liver
- Dandelion Tea Side Effects
- Other Tips and Precautions
How Dandelion Improves Liver Function for Detox?
Dandelion plants are from the Asteraceae family of taraxacum species and its two species t.officinale and t. erythrospermum are now globally found as weeds.
The vitamins and other nutrients in the dandelion helps to cleanse your liver so that it can work effectively.
A study in 2017 suggests that polysaccharides found in dandelion improves liver function.
Liver produces bile which helps enzymes of the body break down fats into fatty acids. The bile also filters and detoxifies your blood. Dandelion aids your digestive system to maintain proper flow of bile. Anything that aids in proper flow of bile from the liver is considered a good liver detox agent and dandelion certainly fits the bill.
Dandelion also reduces inflammation and aids in mineral absorption due to high vitamin c contents.
How to Use Dandelion and Its Tea for Liver Detox
You can use dandelion root, stem and flower teas and dandelion roots pills for liver detox. You can use the roots and flowers of dandelion in any form to consume.
Dandelion is rich in antioxidants. It protects your body tissues from free radical damage that can cause premature aging or cancers.
It also works as a natural diuretic helping liver to eliminate toxins faster.
How to Make Dandelion Tea for Liver
There are a number of different ways you can make dandelion tea. All its parts, roots, stems and flowers are rich in nutrients so you can use any one of them or all of them to make tea.
1. Dandelion Root Tea for Liver
If you use dandelion roots then dig down deep to get the entire root out. Many dandelion stems may have one root so digging deep is important.
- Remove all dirt by washing the root with water and make it completely clean
- Separate the root from stems and flower
- Store it in the refrigerator. It can last up to 5-6 days.
- Chop 2 teaspoon of dandelion root
- Add them to 250ml of boiling water in a saucepan
- Cover the pan and lower the heat
- Remove the pan from the burner and steep it for 30 minutes
- Strain the tea for drinking
- Discard the roots
2. Dandelion Flower Tea for Liver
Always choose dandelion flowers which are not sprayed with weed killers.
- Collect a handful of dandelion flowers
- Wash them with water to remove dirt and insect debris.
- Separate the petals and discard the other flower parts
- Bring 250 ml of water to boil in a saucepan
- Add dandelion petals and remove the saucepan from heat
- Cover the saucepan with lid and let it steep to 15 minutes
- Sip and enjoy
Both dandelion root and flower teas are mildly bitter in taste. You can add honey to improve taste. Honey also helps in liver detox so you are getting double benefits by adding honey.
You can also make dandelion leaf tea for liver detox.
3. Dandelion Root Pills for Liver
Dandelion roots pills and capsules come in many different potencies.
- Buy Dandelion pills of reputed brands
- Take one or more dandelion root pill as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Take it with food for best results
Dandelion Tea Side Effects
Dandelion tea is generally safe when taken in food quantities. even in medicinal quantities which is higher than general food quantities the dandelion tea is most likely safe. No major Side of dandelion effects have been recorded by any scientific study.
Other Tips and Precautions
- Avoid use of Dandelion Tea during pregnancy and breastfeeding period to be on the safer side though there are no reported side effects.
- Stop dandelion if you are allergic to ragweed. Generally causes allergic reaction too sensitive people in either way of consuming it by mouth or topically applying it on the skin.
- Too much dandelion can cause loose motion as it acts as a laxative.
- Don't use dandelion if you are taking blood thinners as it can lead to bleeding.