Dandelion Root Drink

Dandelions are some of the most fiendish garden weeds. A wonderful way to use them is to harvest the roots and make a drink, which tastes rather like coffee. Of course they contain no caffeine, but like coffee they are a diuretic. Traditional Chinese and Native American medicine advises dandelion root for digestive problems, diarrhea, kidney disease, and liver problems. They are also thought to be an antiviral agent.

Here is a simple recipe for a Dandelion Root Drink.

1. Scrub and clean the roots, and slice them into small bits. You may want to use a food processor for this.


2. Place the roots on a cookie sheet and bake them for about 2 hours or until golden brown. They will shrink to about a fourth of their original size. If you have a small oven, leave the door cracked a bit so the moisture can escape.
3. Add one tablespoon of roasted roots to one cup of boiling water, let it steep for 15-20 minutes (or until the mixture is coffee-brown) and then add creamer and sweetener to your liking!