Dandelight Juice Recipe
Ingredients
- Organic dandelion
- Organic apples
- Lemon
- Organic mint
Yield
16 oz
Juicing Tip
I juice each ingredient separately, then blend them together. This lets me adjust the sweetness and bitterness until the flavor is just right.
Juice Ratio
- 10 oz apple juice
- 3 oz dandelion juice
- 2 oz lemon juice
- 1 oz peppermint juice
The Power of Dandelion Juice
I created Dandelight after learning about the amazing health benefits of dandelion leaves to counteract my hyperacidity. I was searching for a natural way to support my digestive system and ease the acidic stomach that had troubled me since childhood. What began as a way to nourish myself became one of SpaJuiceBar's signature juices.
Since I was a child, I have struggled with an acidic stomach. As children, we all loved our candy and sweets, but unlike most children, the sweets did not offer comfort to my stomach. I battled with a sour stomach, and it was so embarrassing. When you belched, it smelled so foul, OMG! This happened every time I ate candy, cakes, cookies, or any sweets. As a child, I experienced vomiting, excruciating pain in my stomach, flatulence, and constipation; I experienced it all. I survived by drinking Maalox and Pepto-Bismol.
My mother and grandmother would constantly tell me I was eating too much junk food, and I would always disagree. You see, my siblings could eat far more "junk food" than I.
When I went to college, I had the same experience with eating cheesesteak and pizza; now that was the worst, because I suffered severely with a sour stomach. I had to run to the bathroom to belch. OMG! To avoid embarrassment, I began to realize that certain foods I could not eat due to discomfort. Also, I learned consuming lots of water helped to alkalize my gut. So basically, water became my savior from an acidic stomach until I was diagnosed with cancer.
Cancer changed my lifestyle.
It was cancer that brought me to the lifestyle of a juicer. I became fascinated by the healing properties of vegetables, fruit, and herbs. During this period in my life, I was so intent on helping my doctors heal my body that I began researching plant-based foods. First I began drinking dandelion tea to support the cleansing of my liver. Later, I found dandelion in Whole Foods and wondered how it would taste as a juice.
Dandelion Juice
My first experience with dandelion juice was Yuck! The worst bitter taste on its own. From my research at the time, I learned that dandelion is a powerful herb that has traditionally been used to support digestion and is often described as an alkalizing herb rich in potassium. I remember thinking this might be exactly what my stomach needed.
Apple Juice
I love apple juice! Apples are high in flavonoids and pectin, which help lower cholesterol and improve the intestinal muscles' ability to push waste through the gastrointestinal tract. In my mind's eye, I needed the apple juice to deal with the constipation. At the time I made this juice, I did not have a cold-pressed juicer, but I did have a Tribest Greenstar Masticating Juicer, which left some fiber in the juice. Blending the apple juice with the dandelion juice was a perfect pairing, but I needed to tone down the bitterness more so I could enjoy my newly created juice.
Both lemon and peppermint juices were perfect for toning down the bitterness, highly effective at providing antioxidants to counter stomach acid, and relaxing the muscles in my gastrointestinal tract.
Lemon
Lemon is an excellent source of vitamin C, B6, potassium, folic acid, and flavonoids. Many people enjoy lemon juice for different purposes. For me, lemon juice helped ease my digestive discomfort. Although lemons taste acidic, they can have an alkalizing effect after digestion. It helped to relieve my gastric irritation and bloating by reducing excess stomach acid and protecting the lining. However, some people may experience the opposite, this has been known to occur. When you try it you'll know what works for your body.
Peppermint
Peppermint is so soothing. I enjoy the coolness. As I am writing this, I can't recall why I chose peppermint. Perhaps it was divine messaging that became a special ingredient. At the time I was reading Michael T. Murray's book Healing Food, I treated it as my personal encyclopedia. And it may have been noted that peppermint can help soothe upset stomachs and alleviate symptoms such as bloating, gas, sour stomach, and heartburn.
Wow! Adding peppermint juice gave it such a beautiful, tasteful experience, and it, along with the lemon juice, subdued the bitterness.
It's fruity, refreshing, and a powerful potassium booster, offering a sensational cooling effect in your mouth.
When I opened SpaJuiceBar, this juice became a favorite. The image above was taken back in 2013; I tried to enhance it as best I could.
Now 13 years later, this juice was enjoyed and favored by many people at the juice bar. My heart is filled with joy because something that brought me comfort and happiness also brought joy to so many other people. That simple juice came to mean far more to me than I ever imagined.
Today, I enhance my juice with superfood powders. I may add Baobab Fruit for an extra boost of vitamin C; CerebralVibe, one of my favorite functional powders for clarity; and Ashwagandha or Unstress Me for adaptogenic support. This juice may or may not be for someone new to juicing. Often the newbie will want mostly fruit juices until they develop their palate for the lifestyle.
However, I should not negate the sweetness of the juice — with a hint of bitterness and refreshing mint and citrus balance. If you're a juicer, I think you'll love this recipe, especially with the added adaptogens. I make my juice, place it in a shaker with the superfood powder, shake it up, and go. I love the energy I feel.
If you're new to dandelion, be sure to read my article, What Are Dandelions?, where I share more about the herb, its taste, and the many ways to enjoy it.
Whether you enjoy it just as I created it or customize it with your favorite herbs and superfoods, I hope this dandelion juice recipe becomes one you return to again and again.
Peace!
Sonia
Continue Your Dandelion Journey
If you enjoyed this recipe, here are a few more ways to experience the benefits of dandelion and plant-based wellness.
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What Are Dandelions? Learn about this remarkable herb, how it tastes, and why it has been valued for centuries. |
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Dandelion Salad with Hot Oil Dressing One of my family's favorite ways to enjoy fresh dandelion greens. |
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Organic Dandelion Leaf Tea The quickest and easiest way to enjoy dandelion every day. |
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Boost Your Juice Naturally
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