Gluten-free | Sugar-free | Dairy-free | Vegan-friendly

Makes: 4-6 serves
Cuisine: Bridget's Healthy Kitchen
Course: Healthy Beverages 
Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 5 minutes
Simmer time: 10 minutes

All the women on my mother's side of the family, including myself, have long suffered from water and fluid retention. It can be quite painful and unsightly at times, as you may know. 

Dandelion tea has been my quiet, unassuming saviour on many occasions, thanks to its ability to gently rid any fluid retention and bloating from the body. Dandelion tea has been known to provide relief because it acts as a diuretic and increases urine output[1]. After a long haul flight, it may also be excellent to ease leg swelling from sitting for long periods - it certainly does for me. 

You can purchase dandelion tea bags for your local health food store and brew them as is. However, if you would like to make a brew with an infusion of delicious spices, this is the recipe. 

My Homemade Dandy Chai is a delightful way that may help treat unwanted bloating and fluid retention. I use the best, most fragrant and warm chai spices to blend a memorable cup of our very own tea that's free from sugar, gluten and dairy. This recipe is also vegan friendly and very simple to make. 

Hints, Tips & Tricks 

You will need ground roasted dandelion for this recipe. I use this brand >> Kintara Roasted Dandelion Blend. Alternatively, you can use dandelion tea bags. 

[Optional] This recipe also calls for inulin powder, a soluble fibre derived from plant-based sources. It is prebiotic, making it a fantastic ingredient for our gut health, and it's also a healthy alternative to sugar. You can read more information about inulin powder --> here. Or, if you're wondering where to purchase some, we sell 100% Chicory Inulin Powder for home delivery*! Find out more --> here. 

For a party treat, add a bit of sparkling water (or sparkling white wine if you're treating yourself) to an iced cup of Homemade Dandy Chai for a refreshing, fun drink! I happily call it the Dandy Fizz. 

This recipe is excellent served, either hot or iced. 

RECIPE

Ingredients

• 3 heaped tbsp roasted dandelion tea blend or 4 teabags of dandelion tea
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 star anise
• 4 cloves
• ½ tbsp finely grated fresh ginger
• 4 whole black peppercorns
• 2 cardamom pods, smashed with the flat side of the blade of a large knife
• 2 tbsp Pure as Inulin Powder, optional
• Lemon slices and mint leaves to serve, optional 

Method

1. Add 1100 ml (2.2pints) cold water and all the ingredients except the inulin powder into a pot. 
2. Stir a few times, and bring the pot to a gentle simmer. Allow to simmer very gently for 10 minutes and then turn the heat off. 
3. If using inulin powder, stir it through now.
4. For hot tea: strain the liquid to remove all the chai bits and serve hot with a lemon slice. 
5. For iced tea: allow the liquid to cool, and then when cold, strain the liquid to remove all the chai bits. Serve over ice with a slice of lemon, a handful of mint leaves and a straw for sipping. 

Disclaimer: This blog post is not intended to provide medical advice. All information, content, and material in this blog post are to inform the reader only. Our content is not intended to serve as a replacement for the consultation, diagnosis, and medical treatment of a qualified doctor or healthcare provider.