How should people with cold body constitution drink dandelion?
Generally, individuals with cold body constitution should pay attention to the following when consuming dandelion: combine it with warming ingredients, control the dosage, choose appropriate processing methods, avoid special periods, and monitor physical reactions, in order to prevent exacerbating internal coldness. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Combine with Warming Ingredients: Dandelion has a relatively cold and cool nature. Drinking it alone may easily cause abdominal pain and diarrhea in individuals with cold constitution. It is recommended to cook it together with warming ingredients such as ginger, red dates (jujube), and longan. Ginger can neutralize the cooling properties, while red dates and longan can nourish qi and blood, preserving dandelion’s benefits while reducing gastrointestinal irritation.
2. Control the Dosage: Individuals with cold body constitution should not consume excessive dandelion, as overconsumption may lead to accumulation of internal cold. For regular consumption, the recommended dosage is 3–5 grams of dried dandelion per serving or 10–15 grams of fresh dandelion, consumed 2–3 times per week. Daily consumption should be avoided to prevent worsening symptoms such as chills and cold hands and feet.
3. Choose Processed (Roasted) Dandelion: Raw dandelion has a stronger cold nature. Those with cold constitution should opt for roasted dandelion. Roasting reduces its cooling properties, making it more suitable for individuals with cold body constitution.
4. Avoid Special Periods: Drinking dandelion on an empty stomach may irritate the gastrointestinal tract and cause stomach discomfort. Consumption during menstruation may affect blood circulation and worsen dysmenorrhea. It is recommended for individuals with cold constitution to drink dandelion 1–2 hours after meals, and to suspend consumption during menstruation, resuming only after the menstrual period ends, to reduce adverse effects on the body.
5. Monitor Physical Reactions: Individual constitutions vary. Those with cold body constitution should pay attention to bodily changes after consuming dandelion. If symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, or worsened cold extremities occur, consumption should be stopped immediately.
It is recommended that individuals with cold body constitution drink more warm water regularly, follow a mild and balanced diet, engage in moderate physical activities such as walking or yoga, strengthen yang energy in the body, and combine these practices with appropriate dandelion consumption to better maintain overall health.