This recipe is from the best-selling Estrogen Reset program.
Everyone knows the common dandelion. You probably have fond memories of making wishes by blowing on the fluffy seeds as a kid—but as adults, many of us think of these bright yellow plants as pesky weeds that need exterminating.
And yet the humble dandelion is anything but. If your yard or garden is full of dandelions, you might be surprised to learn that you actually have an incredibly potent detoxifier at your fingertips.
Dandelion root is used traditionally to stimulate and detoxify the liver which can help promote estrogen metabolism and reduce symptoms of PMS. (1) Dandelion leaves are used as a diuretic, supporting the kidneys. (2)
I’ve combined both the root and the leaves in this simple yet powerful Dandelion Tea. You can choose to use both in this infusion, or one or the other.
In addition to detoxifying the liver and kidneys, dandelion leaf has the added benefit of supplying the body with minerals and vitamins like potassium (which is often depleted when using prescription diuretics), calcium, iron, magnesium, and vitamin A and C. (3) Because of the bitterness, this Dandelion Tea also acts as a digestive bitter, stimulating the gastric juices and enzymatic production. (4)
I drink a lot of Dandelion Tea and especially enjoy it as a post-meal companion. If you’re unsure about drinking tea made from a “weed,” don’t knock it till you try it.
Note: Be mindful that dandelion root is high in polysaccharides, so it should be avoided if you are sensitive to FODMAPs (carbohydrates that can cause digestive problems).
- 4 cups filtered water
- 2 tablespoons dandelion root, roasted or unroasted
- 2 tablespoons dandelion leaf, optional
- Raw honey (optional)
- In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil.
- Place the dandelion root and leaves (if using) in a large teapot, or divide evenly between two cups. Pour the boiling water over the dandelion and let steep for a minimum of 10 minutes.
- Sweeten with a touch of honey, if desired, and serve.
Find more hormone-balancing recipes in Overcoming Estrogen Dominance
In Overcoming Estrogen Dominance, my goal is to empower and give you the tools to take control of your hormones and health.
More than 70% of women experience estrogen dominance. The symptoms range from lumpy and fibrocystic breasts to thyroid nodules, hot flashes, fibroids, uterine polyps, painful, heavy or irregular periods to infertility and miscarriages, from mood swings to insomnia, weight gain to fatigue.
In Overcoming Estrogen Dominance, I give women a roadmap to reverse estrogen dominance using food, herbs, supplements and natural protocols to rebalance hormones. You’ll also find easy, hormone-balancing recipes that are free of gluten, dairy, soy, corn, eggs, and nightshades. These recipes are highly anti-inflammatory, low in sugar, and made with powerful medicinal ingredients to help heal your body naturally.
To get your copy of Overcoming Estrogen Dominance, go here.
Thank you for this article. I am surprised that you do not include the dandelion flower in your tea. They have shown that the flower is substantially the most medicinal part of the entire dandelion plant, including the roots, stock or pedals.
The polyphenol count in the flowers is 115 times more potent than any other part of the dandelion plant. Maybe the flavor is better in the parts??? We will eat the flower heads. We will cook the flower heads…and we will make tea from the flower heads. It is VERY potent and much less messy than pulling the plant and going from there…just POP the heads and you will be fine! Thx again! 🙂
Hi Dan, it’s wonderful to hear that you also utilize dandelion in your kitchen! We use the root and leaves specific for liver detoxification, but the flower provides incredible antioxidant affects as well. Each part provides different benefits! ~HB Support.
You mention that it’s estrogen dominance causing hot flashes, and I’m in menopause, getting hot flashes, fatigue, depression, anxiety, no sex drive. I thought that it’s because of low estrogen that these symptoms occur. I’ve been so confused and scared of estrogen since I got a fibroid several years ago, did a lot of research and got rid of it naturally myself. Since then, scared of estrogen and estrogen fueled diseases. However, reading on menopause and after, it’s very apparent I need estrogen to stay heart healthy, sex drive, etc etc. I’m so confused. Trying different supplements to help, but nothing seems to help. I’m taking red clover and DIM estrogen metabolism support now. I really just don’t know!
PS… do you know of any supplements besides ashwaghanda, maca, that can help balance the estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, since I guess going through menopause bottoms them all out? Do they ever level out on their own? So confused and miserable. Any help would be appreciated.
Hi Jamie, a woman (pre- or post-menopausal) can experience estrogen dominance
while also experiencing low estrogen levels. How is it possible? We need to remember that there are various forms of estrogen and not all of them are equal. Here are a few scenarios to explain the possibilities:
1). the ratio of progesterone to estradiol (aka E2), the “aggressive”
estrogen can be low = this can create estrogen dominance.
2). Or, the ratio of estriol (E3), the “protective” estrogen can be low
as compared to E2 – this is another reason for estrogen dominance.
3). The metabolites ratio of one of the estrogens called 2:16
hydroxyestrone can be skewed towards the “aggressive” side, making the
woman estrogen dominant as well.
3). Yet, the woman can have low E2 or E3 levels which can lead to low
estrogen levels.
I hope this explains this interesting phenomenon. Key to know is that it’s the ratios and the metabolites that matter, not much the amount of hormones. Seed rotation can really help both conditions. Although we can’t advise on the exact supplements that would work for you. Feel free to send us an email at [email protected] we are happy to help provide some resources for you.
~HB Support
I’m so happy I found this post. So recently I was advised to use Dandelion root for clearing up stubborn hormonal acne, which is exciting because I love tea. Can I reuse the Dandelion root that I already boiled? How should it be stored? Or is it best to throw it out and make a fresh batch every time?
Hi Lili,
It’s best to start with a fresh root each time, as the nutrients will have been boiled out in the first infusion. So we would suggest a fresh batch. However, if you make a large batch you can store the tea in the fridge and reheat it. Enjoy!
I just found this article again and would like to support my liver with dandelion tea. Since the fresh dandelions are just showing up on my untreated lawn I would like to take advantage of them! How can I use fresh plants and flowers of them as tea? do they have to be roasted or can I just let the dry , or use the chopped up fresh in tea?
I would love to hear from you.
Anneliese