Detox Tea Botanical name: Taraxacum officinale Other names: piss-in-bed, lion’s tooth Family: asteraceae Part Used: root Taste (rasa): bitter (tikta) Characteristic (guna): light, dry & penetrating Energy (veerya): heating Post digestive effect (vipak): pungent Dosha effect: decrease kapha & pitta Action (karma): appetizer, cholagogue, purgative, anti-microbial, alterative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory Dosage: Simmer gently 1 teaspoon per serve in a covered pan for 15 minutes.

Dandelion is primarily a detoxifying herb for Pitta and ama (toxins).  It cools, clears and cleanses the liver and gallbladder.

Ref: ‘Ayurvedic Medicine by Sebastian Pole; ‘Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants’ by Vaidya V.M. Gogte; ‘Yogi of Herbs’ by V. Lad & D. Frawley; ‘Herbs Are Special’ by Isabel Shipard.