A great perk of my job is travel. And between work travel and for-fun travel, I’m in an airplane multiple times a month. It’s amazing, and I’m taking advantage of this incredible opportunity while I’m young and have the privilege to do so! But with travel also come long stays at the airport, which means eating at the airport, plus weeks of eating three meals a day at restaurants or takeout. While I try to make healthy choices as much as I can—with an occasional side of fries and Chianti, of course—consuming multiple meals without knowing what’s really in them has taken a toll on my body. Even with regular workouts (something I’m still working on being better at while I’m on the road), I feel bloated and backed up far too frequently.
I’m not one to take any pharmaceutical aids to get things moving—I’m more of a natural, come-from-the-earth type of gal. So I’ve been experimenting and searching for ways to feel better with plant-based products. Probiotics have been amazing! S/O Seed, which is my current fave. But surprisingly, the quickest results have come with a tea that has been around for centuries: dandelion root tea.
Here’s the thing though—lots of people don’t like the taste. It’s dark and full, which is why it’s often referred to as a coffee replacement, although it doesn’t contain any caffeine. I found it quite enjoyable! But if it’s too strong, I recommend drinking it iced with a squeeze of lemon.
I’m not one to take any pharmaceutical aids to get things moving—I’m more of a natural, come-from-the-earth type of gal. So I’ve been experimenting and searching for ways to feel better with plant-based products. Probiotics have been amazing! S/O Seed, which is my current fave. But surprisingly, the quickest results have come with a tea that has been around for centuries: dandelion root tea.
Here’s the thing though—lots of people don’t like the taste. It’s dark and full, which is why it’s often referred to as a coffee replacement, although it doesn’t contain any caffeine. I found it quite enjoyable! But if it’s too strong, I recommend drinking it iced with a squeeze of lemon.
From my first big cup—I tend to drink my teas out of a massive mason jar—I found my fluid output the next morning was reminiscent of that Austin Powers scene when he de-thaws after decades of cryogenics (not to get too graphic). By day two, I felt incredible. My washroom frequency hadn’t necessarily increased by drinking the tea, but my output had. It’s due to the diuretic properties of dandelion, which helps flush out excess water that I’ve retained because of the sodium in all that takeout food.
At day three, I stepped on the scale and had lost 3 lb of water weight. Most important, I was ~comfortable~ and my clothing fit just slightly better. The more I looked into the benefits of dandelion, the more I realized there was even more good stuff that comes along with drinking weed tea (remember, dandelion is technically a weed, not a flower). Like inulin, a type of soluble fiber that supports the growth and maintenance of a healthy bacterial flora in your intestinal tract. And all the vitamins—A, C, K, E, and folate—and minerals like iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium are packed inside the tea bag. Thanks to its bioactive compounds like polyphenols, it can reduce inflammation, which is the cause of a whole slew of ailments. And there’s so much more!
Ultimately, though, it was the fastest way for me to feel good. So I’ll keep drinking it, and encourage you to do the same.
Want more stories like this?
6 *Other* Weeds You Should Know about for a Healthy Lifestyle
What a Model with a 6-Pack Eats for Breakfast
The Unexpected Way to Cure Your Hangover
At day three, I stepped on the scale and had lost 3 lb of water weight. Most important, I was ~comfortable~ and my clothing fit just slightly better. The more I looked into the benefits of dandelion, the more I realized there was even more good stuff that comes along with drinking weed tea (remember, dandelion is technically a weed, not a flower). Like inulin, a type of soluble fiber that supports the growth and maintenance of a healthy bacterial flora in your intestinal tract. And all the vitamins—A, C, K, E, and folate—and minerals like iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium are packed inside the tea bag. Thanks to its bioactive compounds like polyphenols, it can reduce inflammation, which is the cause of a whole slew of ailments. And there’s so much more!
Ultimately, though, it was the fastest way for me to feel good. So I’ll keep drinking it, and encourage you to do the same.
Want more stories like this?
6 *Other* Weeds You Should Know about for a Healthy Lifestyle
What a Model with a 6-Pack Eats for Breakfast
The Unexpected Way to Cure Your Hangover