Dandelion Root and Honeysuckle Tea

Why people make this tea

Dandelion has long been valued in food therapy for clearing heat and “heat-toxin” patterns. Both the leaf and the roasted root can be steeped as tea, and Nourilo likes pairing the root (or leaf) with honeysuckle flower. The combination is traditionally turned to for everyday heat complaints — the kind of low-grade “fired up” feeling many people get — and modern interest in dandelion has grown alongside its reputation. If you eat a lot of raw seafood, take care of your stomach generally.

Method

1. Put both ingredients in a teapot and rinse once with boiling water; discard the rinse.
2. Pour in fresh boiling water, cover, and steep 10 minutes.
3. Drink warm; refill with hot water until the flavour fades.

Nourilo’s Tips

Fragrant with a sweet aftertaste — not bitter or harsh — and traditionally thought to be good for the complexion too. But it is cooling: do not overdo it. Those with a cold, weak stomach, pregnant women and breastfeeding mums should avoid it. If your constitution is cold, add a little ginger juice when steeping.