I was never a coffee drinker. My body simply cannot handle the caffeine crash three to four hours later. However, I do love tea, especially black tea with flavored coffee creamer or milk. I usually go for a spicy chai, English breakfast, or Irish breakfast tea. That changed recently when I discovered I have uterine fibroids and a hormonal imbalance. Like most women who love a good cup of coffee or black tea to get them through the day, the main ingredient found in our favorite morning drinks isn’t always good for us.
Yes, I am talking about caffeine. I have learned caffeine feeds the growth of fibroids and doesn’t help balance your hormones. I was never the biggest fan of herbal teas, but I had to make the switch for my health. And I am still exploring the type of herbal teas I enjoy. Nowadays, I start my mornings with peppermint, turmeric, ginger root, or chamomile tea. The thing about herbal teas is that they are naturally healing to the body. And dandelion tea is one of those herbal teas that can do wonders for your body.
What Is Dandelion Tea?
If you've never heard of dandelion tea, you’re not the only one. As someone who is new to finding holistic ways to heal my body, I am still learning the basics. Yes, dandelion is a common weed and/or flower that grows in one’s yard, but dandelion has also been used for culinary and medicinal purposes for centuries. Dandelion tea is made from the dandelion root along with the stem, and leaves. It is also considered an ancient herbal medicine. Dandelion tea is also a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, and zinc. But most people drink dandelion tea as a coffee substitute due to its smoky flavor and dark coloring minus the caffeine.
How To Make Dandelion Tea
The easiest way to make dandelion tea is to buy store-bought tea bags and steep them in hot water. But, if you’re old school, you can pick dandelions from your yard (as long as there are no herbicides, pesticides, or animal feces). Rinse the leaves and/or flowers. Place six leaves and/or flowers in a mug, add hot water, and seep for 10 to 20 minutes. Be sure to remove the leaves when you’re ready to drink.
If you use the root of the dandelion, you want to chop the root into small pieces and roast it for two hours. Place 1 to 2 teaspoons in a mug of hot water and steep for 10 minutes. Any remaining leaves or roots can be stored in an airtight container.
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Benefits of Dandelion Tea
Around the world, dandelion tea is a common home remedy for urinary tract infections, inflammation, detoxing the body, and the common cold. Here are a few ways that dandelion naturally heals the body.
Reduces Bloating
If you struggle with feeling bloated, dandelion tea acts as a natural diuretic and increases urine output. The high potassium levels found in dandelion flush out sodium from the body. Studies show increased urine output after one cup of dandelion tea made from the plant’s leaves.
Lowers Blood Sugar
Blood sugar has been trending in health and wellness on the gram, and people with diabetes can benefit from dandelion tea. The healing power of dandelions can help moderate blood sugar and improve insulin resistance. This is due to the phytonutrients found in the dandelion plant as it stimulates insulin sensitivity.
Detoxes The Liver
Did you know our bodies are full of toxins? These toxins come from the types of foods we eat. This is why it’s important to eat whole foods and reduce processed foods. Drinking dandelion tea can help the body remove toxins from our body systems. Dandelion helps the liver filter out harmful chemicals from the foods we eat and reduce markers of liver damage.
Improves Skin Health
Flower extracts and other plants are common ingredients in skin care products due to their ability to soothe and heal the skin. When it comes to skin care, dandelion is the ultimate skin glow-up. It protects the skin from sun damage, signs of aging, acne, and reduces inflammation. It has also been said that dandelion can increase collagen production and hydrate your skin.
Promotes Gut Health
According to prevention.com, dandelion makes it easier for the body to receive the nutrients it needs. Dandelion tea soothes the stomach lining, allowing our gut to absorb more minerals. It also increases our body’s natural probiotic properties as it enhances a beneficial bacteria called lactobacillus. And gut health is key in regulating other systems of the body.
Supports The Immune System
Since dandelion is high in vitamin C, it helps the body with healthy cell growth and cellular health in general. The antioxidants found in dandelion protect our cells from free radicals which can lead to health conditions such as heart disease and cancer. Overall, the nutrients found in dandelions strengthen the immune system to fight against common colds and cases of flu all year long.
Whether you are looking to reduce your coffee intake or heal your body, dandelion tea has infinite healing benefits for the ultimate health glow-up.
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The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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