Roasted Dandelion Root Mocha

A Liver-Lovin' Sippin' Tea!

Feeling irritated? Stagnant? Angry? Explosive? Honestly, I can't recommend this tasty beverage enough. Dandelion root (pu gong ying) can quickly cool liver heat , and can act as a great substitute for alcohol or coffee. It's best when you are feeling stagnant and irritable, or irritable and overly-heated (possible diagnoses would be "liver qi constraint with heat," "liver fire," or "excess heat with dampness").As for those who SHOULDN'T USE dandelion root (though a single cup of roasted dandelion root tea is unlikely to do any harm, no matter what your diagnosis), scroll down and check out the contraindications.ROASTED DANDELION ROOT MOCHA (original version from The Herbal Kitchen, by herbalist Kami MacBride)

Ingredients

3 cups water3 tablespoons roasted dandelion root (Mountain Rose Herbs carries high quality organic roasted dandelion root, or visit your local apothecary to see if they carry it)1 tablespoon raw cacao nibs

NOTE: Cacao nibs and cacao powder are the cacao bean in its raw state. Cocoa powder is the product of the bean being cleaned, roasted, and powdered. Any option is fine for the recipe, though cacao has more healing/health properties than the cocoa.

1/2 cup almond milk: can substitute rice, hemp, full-fat cow’s milk1/2 tsp. powdered cinnamon1/2 tsp. vanilla extract1-2 tsp. sweetener: brown rice syrup, maple syrup, agave, stevia, honey

Step 1: Add water to roasted dandelion root and nibs (if you’re using powder, add powder in Step 3).

Step 2: Bring to a boil, and immediately lower temperature and simmer for 15 minutes (hot, but not boiling).

Step 3: Strain the tea, add remaining ingredients, sweeten to taste, and drink up! Feel your liver qi moving? Good!

CONTRAINDICATIONS: 

Because dandelion could act as a mild diuretic, it should be avoided by those who take lithium or diuretic drugs.

Spironolactone and triamterene may react adversely with dandelion products.

Dandelion could reduce the effectiveness of various antibiotics (I recommend staying away frommost herbs when on a round of antibiotics).

Because dandelion stimulates production of bile, it should be used with caution for patients with gallstones or an obstruction of the bile ducts. Patients with stomach ulcers or gastritis are generally encouraged to avoid dandelion, as it may stimulate overproduction of stomach acid.

People with a confirmed sensitivity to inulin, a fiber widely found in fruits, vegetables and plants, should avoid dandelion.

The milky substance in the stem and leaves of fresh dandelion may cause an allergic rash in some people. People who are allergic to ragweed and related plants (daisies, chrysanthemums, marigolds) should consider avoiding dandelion.