Dandelion Tea

Why people make this tea

Upper abdominal discomfort is easy to dismiss as indigestion. But when it becomes persistent or is accompanied by fever, chills, or yellowing of the skin, it can be a sign of gallbladder inflammation — something that is much easier to manage when caught early. In traditional Chinese medicine, dandelion (pu gong ying) is considered to enter the liver and gallbladder channels, making it a classical choice for heat-related conditions of these organs. It has been used for centuries to clear heat and toxins, reduce swelling, and support the flow of bile. This simple tea is particularly valued during the recovery period following mild gallbladder inflammation, and also for the eye redness and irritation that sometimes accompanies late-night liver heat.

Method

1. Place the dried dandelion herb into a teapot or heatproof mug.
2. Pour boiling water over it once, then immediately pour out that first rinse.
3. Pour in fresh boiling water.
4. Steep covered for about 5 minutes.
5. Drink warm. Re-steep with fresh boiling water until the flavour fades.

Nourilo’s Tips

This tea has a pleasant, light fragrance. It is particularly good for soothing eye redness and swelling caused by staying up late (liver fire flaring upward). However, because dandelion is cooling by nature, those with a cold constitution or sensitive digestion should not drink it every day — 3–4 times a week is a sensible limit.