Renewing Spring Tonic

by Annie Berthold-Bond, Care2.com Producer, Green Living Channels
Simple Solution
Just as we see the first emergence of the bright green leaves and yellow flowers of dandelions in the spring, it is worth remembering an age-old tradition of drinking (organic) dandelion tea as a renewing tonic to wake us up with the land around us after a long winter. Try this regenerative dandelion tea to give yourself (and your kidneys and liver) a fresh start:
Dandelion Root Tea
Dandelion tea is rich in minerals and is known as a cleanser of the kidneys and liver, and a very healing herbal remedy that strengthens the entire system. As one of the gentlest and safest diuretics, so it is also a boon during premenstrual syndrome, and is traditionally a good addition to the diet of diabetics.
Buy dandelion root at the health food store.
Ingredients
4 cups pure water
6 tablespoons dried dandelion root (1 year old minimum)
6 tablespoons dried dandelion leaf (double amount if fresh) (optional)
Simmer the dandelion root in the water, uncovered, for 20 minutes, then strain the liquid over the dandelion leaf. Cover tightly and steep for another 20 minutes; strain the tea again.
Fresh Dandelion Leaves
You can also eat dandelion leaves, presuming they are organic. Eat them raw in a salad, or steamed. The leaves are very alkaline and purify and build the blood, cleanse and regenerate cells.