Burdock Root, Dandelion Root, & Spearmint Tea

Lately, I have been feeling sluggish, heavy, tired, and so very bloated. I’ve always had a hard time burping, so whenever I eat something that doesn’t sit well, the discomfort seems to stay trapped in my body and linger far longer than I’d like. After weeks of feeling uncomfortable, I came across a post about drinking milk thistle, burdock root, and spearmint tea daily for digestion, and it felt worth trying. My local natural grocer was out of milk thistle, so I purchased other herbs instead with the hopes of getting similar effects. This blend has been such a comforting little remedy, and honestly, it has helped me so much!

I experience indigestion and acid reflux often, and I know that this is likely tied to the larger gut health issues I’ve been trying to pay more attention to. I can see that imbalance showing up in different ways, especially through my psoriasis. For most of my life (I was diagnosed with psoriasis when I was 17), I thought psoriasis was only something that affected the skin, but lately I’ve been learning that it can also show up in the nails. I’ve started noticing tiny dents and pitting on some of my fingernails, along with faint dark lines on one of my toenails (it's not cancerous, I just had a full skin scan two weeks ago with my dermatologist especially to look into other concerns, all clear)

I’ll share more another time about gut health, and about what I’ve been learning around prebiotics, probiotics, and the things that have actually been helping me. But for now, I simply wanted to share this herbal tea I’ve been making every day because it has brought me a surprising amount of comfort and relief, and quite quickly too and I hope it will help you!

Why does this tea blend feel so helpful for inflammation and indigestion?

Burdock Root - Burdock root has a long history in traditional herbal practices and is often used to support overall wellness from the inside out. It contains antioxidants and prebiotic inulin, which can help nourish the gut and support digestion.

Dandelion Root - Dandelion root is one of those humble herbs that does quite a lot (it's literally considered a weed!). It is often used to support digestion by encouraging the production of stomach acid and bile, which helps the body break down food more efficiently. Because of that, it may be especially helpful for things like bloating, gas, and that heavy feeling after meals.

Spearmint - Spearmint brings a softness to the blend that makes it feel especially comforting. It is known for its calming properties and is often associated with hormone support as well. Because it is gentler than peppermint, it feels especially nice for sensitive digestion. I also love the subtle flavor.

How To Make: (1 cup)

• 1 tsp burdock root
• 1 tsp dandelion root
• 1 tablespoon spearmint
• 1 cup (filtered/spring) water

I feel so fortunate to live in a state that has delicious natural water, so I get my water straight out of the tap. If you have hard water, filter it or use spring water. Add your herbs to a pot (I use one a saucepan with a pouring spot) and warm them slightly, then add your water and let it bowl slowly. The color of your herbal tea should be a warm caramel brown. Your tea will darken the longer you steep. I prefer to boil/steep for only about 5-8 minutes as I don't want it to get too bitter. Use a tea strainer and pour your tea over it into your favorite mug.