Making this tea is simple, provided you have access to fresh burdock, which is not always the easiest thing to find in the West. In Asia, burdock root is easy to find, but in the West, you might need to find an Asian import store. You could also purchase burdock root tea that has already been shredded and roasted, and therefore ready to brew.
If you buy some fresh Burdock root, begin by cutting it into 1-2-inch chunks. Then, using a potato peeler, shred the root chunks into thin strips. Place these outside so that they can dry in the sun for a few hours. Once they are dry, place them in the frying pan and heat them up (don’t use oil). They should roast quite easily if you heat them for 5-10 minutes and you want the color to be a rich golden brown. Once they have cooled down, they can be brewed into burdock root tea.
Ingredients
• 8-10 burdock root strips
• 2 cups of filtered water
• 1 teaspoon organic honey
Directions
1. Place the burdock root strips in a teapot.
2. Bring the water to the boil in a stainless-steel pot.
3. Remove from the heat for 2-3 minutes and pour it into the teapot.
4. Allow the mixture to steep for 5-10 minutes.
5. Enjoy.
Below are 8 great health benefits of burdock root tea:
Burdock root was commonly used for its diuretic and diaphoretic effects, meaning that it caused sweating and urination in those who drank it. This helps to purify the blood and detoxify the body, as sweating and urination are ways for the body to expel excess salts, toxins, and water, thereby relieving stress on the liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system.
The high levels of potassium in burdock root tea makes it excellent for heart health, as it reduces strain on the cardiovascular system by lowering blood pressure. Potassium not only regulates the fluid in the body, but it also acts as a vasodilator, helping to prevent atherosclerosis, strokes, and heart attacks.
The phenolic acids quercetin and luteolin make burdock root tea a potent anti-cancer brew, as these antioxidants can seek out and destroy free radicals that are causing oxidative stress in the body. These free radicals are often responsible for cancer.
The vitamin C found in this root tea helps to stimulate the immune system and the production of white blood cells, while also increasing collagen production and speeding up the healing process following an illness.
Many studies have shown that burdock root tea can help speed the regrowth process of liver cells following diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. The liver is an important organ that can be easily damaged, making this a great brew for those individuals with blood-borne diseases of alcohol-induced damage.
The phytosterols present in burdock root tea, as well as the essential oils in the root, can prevent hair loss and improve the health of the scalp and follicles, eliminating dandruff and other common issues.
In ancient times, burdock root tea was often recommended for those suffering from fever, headaches, aches, pains, and joint disorders. This is due to the anti-inflammatory nature of this brew, and people still turn to this tea for similar ailments. For those suffering from gout, research has shown that the compounds in burdock root tea can decrease levels of uric acid in the blood, improving this condition.
This root tea has expectorant and decongestant properties, so if you have a cough, cold or flu-like symptoms, a cup of this delicious tea each day can help get rid of phlegm and mucus, while the antibacterial nature of the tea can attack the underlying infection to speed healing.
Burdock Root Tea Side Effects
Pregnancy
Studies have shown that burdock root tea can stimulate uterine contractions, which is extremely dangerous for pregnant women, especially those in the first two trimesters of their pregnancy. Similarly, for nursing women, some of the potent compounds of this tea can be passed on to the infant and should be avoided.
Blood Pressure
The blood pressure-lowering qualities of this root tea are beneficial unless you happen to be suffering from hypotension, or are taking medicine for hypertension, in which case, you might experience lightheadedness, cognitive confusion, or dizziness.
Allergic Reactions
Some people may be allergic to burdock root and may experience rapid contact dermatitis while preparing this brew. If any inflammation or rashes develop, stop using this tea right away.
Source: organicfacts
Images: depositphotos
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