Greetings Tea Lovers and Super Wonder Women! It’s Dr. Michelle here with another tea-time moment about using plant technology to create a stress-FREE reality one cup at a time.
Isn’t it amazing that as soon as September comes in, it seems like the temperatures start to decline instantly? If you live in the deep south, you might not notice a difference for a while, but the rest of the country is experiencing it. Because I am a summer baby and love the fun, heat, and freedom of summer, I get a little sad. I try my best to hold on to every ounce of summer I can. One of the things that remind me of warmer temperatures and brighter days is dandelions.
When I was a child, dandelions and wild violets grew in my grandparent’s yard. I used to pick a handful of dandelions, violets, and clover and give them to my Nanny and Paw Paw. Nanny would say, “Oh Michelle! Thank you so much. They are beautiful!” Then she would put them in a little glass of water to be used as the centerpiece on the kitchen table. Through a child’s eyes, I saw the bright colors as beauty and love and not pesky weeds in the yard.
The dandelion in particular fascinated me. The bright yellow reminded me of a sunflower, which my grandparents had in their garden. Little did I know that perhaps I was attracted to dandelion for another reason, as a healing agent.
5 Ways Dandelion Makes You Feel Dandy!
All parts of the dandelion can be used including the flower, stems, leaves, and root. That has medicinal benefits. You can cook the leaves up like you would collard greens. I was told stories that my Paw Paw used to make dandelion wine. The root can be used as well in teas and tonics like in Release Rise & Shine Tea.
1. Liver Health
Dandelion has a protective effect on the liver, especially from toxicity and stress. It helps increase bile production and bile flow from the liver. Bile is a substance necessary for digestion. It has enzymes and substances to break down fat. For those who take a lot of Tylenol or acetaminophen, it increases the toxic load to the liver. Did you know the most common cause of a liver transplant is the overuse of acetaminophen? Dandelion can help decrease liver toxicity from overuse. Dandelion is everyone’s friend.
2. Release
Dandelion is a natural diuretic. It increases the amount of urine, stimulates excretion, and pulls excess fluids out of the tissues. With the increased urine production, more uric acid is allowed to be released. Uric acid build-up leads to gout For heavy meat eaters dandelion can be your friend to help prevent gout. Of course, it will also help to decline swine and cool it on the cows.
3. Digestive Health
In Native American tradition, it is believed that the herbs you need grow near you. Native Americans boiled dandelion greens to treat kidney dx, swelling, GI upset, heartburn.
The root of the dandelion has a mild laxative effect. It can help relieve gas, constipation. and mild bloating. The roots can be made into an herbal tea to stimulate the appetite and improve digestion. I’m going to tell you when I drink Release Rise & Shine Tea with dandelion, ginger, and orange, my whole digestive process changes. I definitely release more from the urinary system and the digestive system and release it easier.
4. Nutrition
I have been a vegetarian since 2002. People often ask, “How do you get your protein?” Just because it has roots and leaves instead of hooves, doesn’t mean there isn’t protein. Dandelion leaves contain 15% protein. One cup of dandelion greens contains 112 percent of the daily recommendation of vitamin A, 32% of vitamin C, 218 mg of potassium, and 103 mg of calcium.
That is good news!
5. Weight Release
Dandelion is in the class of herbs considered a bitter herb. Bitter herbs help with the breakdown of fat and thus can complement your weight release journey. When preparing dandelion greens, they can be a bit on the bitter side sort of like mustard greens. Just smooth them out with some nice herbs, olive oil, and maybe a tad bit of honey.
Yum Yum GOOD!
Speaking of something good, there are many ways to enjoy the health benefits of herbs while still having fun. You can have the healthiest happy hour with a FREEaliTEA mocktail. Make it part of your me-time and join me at the Me-Time with Mocktails. In this class, we will level up our tea game by using it to make a delicious mocktail together. If you’re feeling G & G (good & grown), you can add a little adult fermented drink.
It’s happening Thursday, September 23rd at 8:00 PM EST
Register at www.metimemocktails.com to save your spot and get your ingredients list.
Until next time, be well and do something well for yourself!
