Minduelle-cha or Dandelion Tea

Image by hannaone: Dried Dandelion

Image by hannaone: Minduelle-cha

Image by hannaone: Dried dandelion

Image by hannaone: Dandelion greens in the Market

Minduelle-cha Dandelion Tea

민들레차 | minduelle-cha

Dandelion Tea
Mindeulle-cha, also known as Dandelion tea, is a traditional Korean beverage made from the dried leaves and roots of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale).
Dandelion tea has a slightly bitter earthy flavor, and a clean and subtle fragrance.
Some people may be allergic to this tea, so it’s essential to be cautious if you’re trying it for the first time.

* See Warnings in the side-bar

Ingredients
Fresh dandelion

Directions
Wash the dandelion thoroughly in cold water.

Bring a pot of water to a full boil.

Add the dandelion, submerge it in the boiling water for about two minutes, remove from heat, and rinse well in cold water.

Cut the dandelion into roughly equal sized pieces (root, leaves, and stem).
Lay the pieces out on a screen and place in a sunny, warm, breezy place to sun dry, or use a dehydrator and follow the manufacturers directions.

Once the dandelion pieces are dried, heat a pan over medium low heat, add the dandelion (NO OIL) and cook until lightly toasted, about two to three minutes. The aroma can become very strong, so make sure there is adequate ventilation.

Place the toasted dandelion into tea bags and store in an air-tight container.

To make tea - bring water to a boil, add tea bag, and steep to desired strength. Drink it hot or iced.

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Dandelion tea provides powerful antioxidants. It’s believed to have diuretic properties, and may have the following health benefits:
Anti-inflammatory Effects
Lower Blood Pressure
Improve Liver Health
Support Immune System

* See warnings below *

Harvesting Dandelion
If you are harvesting your own dandelion, choose an area that has not been treated with herbicides, pesticides, or artificial fertilizers.
Select younger plants that have not developed seed buds. When flower is just beginning to bloom is the best.
Use a small garden type hand shovel and dig down to get as much root as possible.
Discard any seed buds that may have formed.

*WARNINGS*
Before consuming dandelion tea or any other supplement, it’s essential to consult with your doctor. Consider the following precautions before preparing or drinking dandelion tea:

Allergies:
If you are allergic to daisies, marigolds, or chrysanthemums, you may also be allergic to dandelion. Exercise caution.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid dandelion tea. The effects of dandelion tea on these individuals are not conclusively understood.
Medication Interference:
If you are already taking a diuretic, steer clear of dandelion tea. Its natural diuretic properties may interfere with medications like lithium.
Additionally, if you are on antibiotics such as Cipro, Levaquin, Noroxin, or similar drugs, avoid dandelion tea.
Liver and Kidney Health:
Individuals undergoing treatment for liver or kidney problems should not consume dandelion or dandelion tea without their doctor’s approval. Dandelion may pose complications for kidney disease patients.
Blood Clotting and Blood Pressure:
If you are taking blood-thinner medications, it’s advisable to avoid dandelion tea due to its potassium content.
Similarly, those on blood pressure medications should exercise caution with dandelion tea.