Dandelion roots have long history of use as food and medicine. We'll share the best time to dig dandelion roots, tips for preserving them, and dandelion root home remedies.
Note: Never harvest dandelion roots from lawns or other areas that have been treated with herbicides or pesticides. The roots accumulate whatever has been sprayed on the soil.
When Should I Harvest Dandelion Roots?
Harvest dandelion roots from late fall through early spring, when the plant is dormant and has stored up energy in the root.
For medicinal use, most sources say fall harvest is best. In fall, the levels of inulin (insoluble fiber) are higher and the fructose levels are lower.
The freezing of winter converts the inulin to fructose, which makes spring roots more palatable for eating. Spring roots areless bitter and chewy – just make sure you dig them before the plants start to blossom. Spring roots are also higher in taraxacin, which stimulates bile production.
What's the Best Way to Harvest Dandelion Roots?
To dig roots, use a dandelion digger or a sturdy fork.
You want to break/damage the root as little as possible so you don't lose much sap, which is where the medicinal properties lie. Deep, rich soil will produce the thickest, easiest to harvest roots.
I always let a few dandelions go in the garden, as they are great for reaching deep into the soil to bring up nutrients. Make sure to harvest from areas that have not been sprayed/treated with anything noxious.
Select large, vigorous plants – small, spindly plants will have small roots that are not really worth harvesting. One session of garden digging produced the root in the photo at the top of the post.
How do I Dry Dandelion Roots?
For long term storage, drying roots works best. Scrub roots well before cutting.
Slice thick roots lengthwise into strips of uniform thickness to decrease drying time and encourage uniform drying.
Use a dehydrator to dry the roots at 95°F (35°C) until brittle.
Alternatively, spread on a screen and place in a cool, dry location with good air flow, and dry for 3 to 14 days (until brittle). Dried roots will keep for about a year.
Don't have time to dig or a clean spot to harvest?
You can buy clean and prepped roots, teas, and extracts online, ready to use, including:
Starwest Botanicals Organic Raw Dandelion Root Tea [1 Pound] Bulk Cut & Sifted (C/S) Loose Tea
Traditional Medicinals Tea, Organic Dandelion Leaf & Root, Supports Kidney Function & Healthy Digestion, 96 Tea Bags (6 Pack)
Herb Pharm Certified Organic Dandelion Liquid Extract for Cleansing and Detoxification, Alcohol-Free Glycerite, 1 Ounce
$36.53
$27.12
$12.40
Starwest Botanicals Organic Raw Dandelion Root Tea [1 Pound] Bulk Cut & Sifted (C/S) Loose Tea
$36.53
Traditional Medicinals Tea, Organic Dandelion Leaf & Root, Supports Kidney Function & Healthy Digestion, 96 Tea Bags (6 Pack)
$27.12
Herb Pharm Certified Organic Dandelion Liquid Extract for Cleansing and Detoxification, Alcohol-Free Glycerite, 1 Ounce
$12.40
How do I Use Dandelion Root?
You can use dandelion roots fresh for cooking and medicine, or preserve them for later use.
To cook dandelion root, you can boil or roast them. Peel roots from older plants before cooking. Younger roots are fine with a good scrub.
Bake root at 375℉ (190℃) for about 30 minutes, until fork tender. Boil roots for about 10 minutes with a pinch of baking soda in the water. Change the water and boil for 10 minutes more. Eat the cooked roots warm or chilled.
Medicinal Use
Dandelion root is well known as a detoxifying agent, but has also been used to treat everything from arthritis to hangovers. Always talk to your doctor before taking any herbal medicine if you are on prescription medications or have a serious health condition.
In traditional medicine, dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root is used many ways, including as a:
- Liver ally and diuretic
- General tonic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Digestive stimulant
- Deobstruent (clears and opens ducts)
- Sedative
Most scientific studies have been in vitro or animal studies. Dandelion root extracts show promise against cancerous cells, type 2 diabetes, liver damage, and more. As a diuretic, dandelion clears excess fluid, lowering blood pressure.
In “A comprehensive review of the benefits of Taraxacum officinale on human health” the authors review 54 studies. They found that the most commonly reported effects of dandelion were hepatoprotective, antioxidant and anticancer activities.
To extract the medicinal compounds from the roots, use adecoction or tincture. Decoctions are water based, while tinctures are generally alcohol based.
Side Effects and Allergic Reactions
While rare, dandelion sap can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. As a diuretic, it may flush medicines out of your body faster. If you are allergic to plants in the daisy family, you may react to dandelion.
Do not use dandelion root if you have irritable stomach or bowel, or if you have an acute inflammation. (source)
If you suspect you have gallstones larger than 1.5 millimeters, avoid using dandelion root. You might accidentally flush the stones into the bile ductwork. There they can get stuck and cause a lot of pain.
Make a Dandelion Root Tincture
To make a tincture, place dandelion root in a jar and cover with 80 proof (40%) vodka. Cover tightly and allow to steep 4-6 weeks, shaking daily.
Strain out plant material and store in a dark glass bottle. Label and date.
Make a Dandelion Leaf Infusion
Herbal infusions are steeped for a longer time at lower temperatures, and are typically used for leaves and flowers.
To make a strong herbal infusion tea, use 1/2 ounce by weight of dried dandelion greens or one ounce by weight of fresh leaves per cup of water.
Place the ingredients in a glass canning jar. Cover with freshly boiled water. Put the lid on and steep overnight. Strain and compost solids.
For medicinal purposes, drink 3-4 cups per day. Alternatively, use a French press, or steep (covered) for at least 20 minutes before straining.
Make Dandelion Coffee (Roasted Dandelion Root Tea)
To make dandelion coffee, start with dried roots. Chop or break into small, even pieces, roughly 1/4″ across.
Spread on a roasting pan and bake in a warm oven (200°F, 93°C) for around 4 hours. Stir occasionally.
The dandelion roots should be browned and dried completely through. Cool roots completely before use or storage.
Grind and use as you would regular coffee, or place 1 heaping teaspoon of ground root in a cup of hot water, steep for 10 minutes and strain.
Store roasted roots in an airtight glass jar and grind just before use for best flavor.
Make a Dandelion Root Decoction
A decoction uses water and extra heat, and is generally used for tough materials like roots and bark.
To make a decoction, place one ounce of dried roots or two ounces fresh roots (by weight) in a pan with one pint of water.
Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain and compost the spent roots.
Sip this simple healing tea to aid digestion, promote urination, and as a general tonic.
Dandelion Root Tea Recipes
Here are two recipes from Dandelion Medicine:
I'm-Sick-of-Cellulite Tea
Help your body metabolize fats and improve elimination of wastes with these cleansing herbs.
Start with 1/2 ounce each (dried), or 1 ounce each (fresh):
Cover the leaves with 1 cup boiling water. Put a lid on an steep for at least 15 minutes (you can steep longer for a stronger infusion).
Start with 1/2 ounce each (dried), or 1 ounce each (fresh):
- dandelion root
- burdock (Arctium lappa) root
Place the roots in a pan with one cup of water. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain and compost the spent roots.
Combine the dandelion leaf infusion and the dandelion root decoction to make the anti-cellulate tea. You can serve tea warm or cold, with a dash of honey for sweetening. Refrigerate any leftovers and use within a few days.
Decongestant Tea
This tea helps the body to clear phlegm and open the lungs and sinuses.
Start with 1/2 ounce each (dried), or 1 ounce each (fresh):
- dandelion leaf
- Nettle (Urtica dioica) leaf
- Thyme (thymus vulgaris) herb
Cover the leaves with 1 cup boiling water. Put a lid on an steep for at least 15 minutes (you can steep longer for a stronger infusion).
Place 1/2 ounce dried dandelion root or 1 ounce fresh dandelion root in a pot with one cup of water. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain and compost the spent roots.
Combine the leaf infusion and the root decoction to make the decongestant tea. Best served warm, with a bit of honey or lemon.
I hope you'll give this humble weed a second look.
More Information on Dandelions and Using Wild Plants
Don't forget to check out the other Herbs and Wildcrafting posts, too, including:
- How to Make Dandelion Wine
- Wildcrafting Books and Resources – Learn Which Weeds are Good for Food and Medicine
This article is for general information, and is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent illness. Please see a healthcare professional for medical advice.
