A Complete Guide to Detox Tea

There are a number of well marketed and interesting looking “detox tea” products that have appeared on the internet in recent years. But what are they made of, how can they improve your health and what are the best products? Most detox teas contain herbs that are used to improve the health of the liver; […]

There are a number of well marketed and interesting looking “detox tea” products that have appeared on the internet in recent years. But what are they made of, how can they improve your health and what are the best products?
Most detox teas contain herbs that are used to improve the health of the liver; which is responsible for the removal of toxins from the body. Drinking a tea containing such herbs may help remove toxins from your body. Let’s see how.

Key Benefits of detox teas

  • May help remove toxins from the body
  • May increase the number of antioxidants in the body
  • May help boost the immune system
  • May help individuals lose weight
  • May improve digestive health

It is best to supplement your diet with a tea that’s rich in antioxidants and is formulated specifically to enhance liver function, as well as support other digestive organs which play a crucial role in detoxification. Two popular theories which promote the use of detox teas include Traditional Chinese Medicine and Indian Ayurveda Medicine. According to these traditions, herbal supplements should be used to aid the functioning of your organs. Drinking a cup of detox tea exclusively does not promote good health. Balance and variety is necessary to achieve the goals these products promote.

Herbs for Detoxing Explained

All medicines derive from natural plant extracts. It’s possible to use the powerful properties of plants to improve your health. This will not only provide the body with a balanced and natural concentration of vitamins and minerals, but also provide your system with fatty acids as well as phytonutrients which help with the elimination of toxins from the body and strengthen your immunity.
When you consume a lot of meat, chemically processed foods and dairy and ingest toxins through the air you inhale and water you drink, you encourage a build-up of toxins in the body. This may compromise your immune system and the health of your skin and hair. To counter this problem a solution can be brought about with natural herbs for detoxing.

Burdock Root

This herb contains poly-acetylene, an organic compound that gives burdock root its anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. Burdock root is a detoxification herb which cleanses and supports the gall bladder and liver and treats different kinds of skin ailments like acne, eczema, psoriasis, carbuncles and abscesses by increasing circulation to the skin. The compounds present in the roots help detoxify the epidermal tissues.
Burdock root contains inulin, which supports probiotic growth in the colon and acts as a herbal cleansing detox. Studies have proved that when exercised on animals, the root protected them from cell damage and abnormal growth, reducing the chances of liver damaging from toxic substances.

Dandelion

The commonly available dandelion is a natural cleanser. You may consume the leaves as salads. They contain iron, vitamins and potassium. In today’s pollution-ridden environment, it’s common to consume pollutants just by breathing and this exerts stress on our liver. People often suffer from headaches, fatigue and other mild ailments. Dandelion revitalizes, protects and restores the liver, which is one of the important organs that help with the cleansing process. Dandelion leaves are one of the best natural diuretics. They strengthen the kidneys, clearing water retention and promoting urination, thus soothing irritations in the urinary system.

Milk Thistle

Also known as silymarin, which is the active ingredient in milk thistle, this herb is believed to alleviate liver problems and stimulate the ability of the organ to generate fresh cells. German physicians often prescribe milk thistle for people experiencing liver damage. Since silymarin is not soluble and not absorbed well by the body, you will need a concentrated supplement. Used for more than 2000 years, organic milk thistle detoxifies the liver and the gall bladder. It is also thought to help in the production of bile which also improves digestive function. However, despite many writers claiming these benefits there is as yet no scientific proof of any of these statements.

Green Tea

Green tea contains catechins that increase the production of a collection of crucial enzymes for detoxification. These are believed to protect the body from cancer inducing chemicals and toxic elements. Green tea acts as an antioxidant which speeds up your metabolism, and burns calories even when you are not active. It improves your immunity power by protecting you against the flu and fights the build-up of cholesterol.

Ginseng

Ginseng does a lot of things to improve human health, although a lot of people do not realize its relevance for detox and weight loss. It is thought by many to provide an energy boost and fight fatigue. What ginseng does to achieve in the battle for weight loss is that it regulates your blood sugar levels. This can be done by reducing the amount of carbohydrate which gets converted into fat. You should also note here that taking ginseng individually will not help with weight loss in any way. You have to balance it with the right diet and exercise.

Does detox tea work?

In the course of a day, people are constantly faced with pollutants and toxic substances from the air, caffeine, chemicals from food, and drug use. Detox teas are made with particular ingredients and natural herbs that contain antioxidants and detoxifying properties. They boost immunity and restore the functions of the organs, especially your colon and liver.

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A caution on laxative effects

Detox teas work in the short term by affecting your digestive system. The laxatives in them cleanse your colon and act as a diuretic, helping you lose water weight. However, if you stop taking the tea, the weight may come back, and if you don’t stop, you may become addicted to the laxative nature of tea.
Although detox teas are much gentler than the laxative tablets you see in chemists, it’s important to understand that they are no substitute for a healthy diet and exercise.

Weight loss and detox

Detox diets that are low in calories or include fasting can help in weight reduction. However the result is not sustainable. Toxins are present in the fat cells and when you lose weight, they are released back into the body. While some research suggests that the toxins can affect the loss of fat by reducing metabolism or thyroid, it really makes weight loss harder. Drinking detox tea can help fight the undesirable side effects of the release of toxins.

Do you really need detox tea?

The notion that your body requires help in ridding itself of the toxins has no basis medically. Your immune system and organs can take responsibility for performing these tasks, irrespective of what you consume. You tend to lose weight and get it back once you get off any extreme diet.
The human body, like the spirit and personality of the individual, is unique. No two people will experience the same results with any sort of diet tea or supplement. Even if you consume a healthy diet and exercise on a regular basis, you can be exposed to pollutants and toxic substances. The unhealthy and unwanted chemicals are all around us. Detox tea contains particular blends of natural components that flush the harmful chemicals out of our important organs. They are effective in reducing high blood pressure, cholesterol, body fat, acid reflux and other health conditions.

How best to use detox tea

Drink the tea on an empty stomach and don’t eat while your stomach feels full of tea.
In my view, one of the keys to properly detoxing (or cleansing, or whatever you want to call it) is to eat less, drink lots of water, eat fresh organic salads and use cleansing herbs like those explained on this page. Why does this work? Well it’s not necessarily because you used cleansing herbs. In fact it may be more to do with fasting and thus giving your body a break from junk foods; eating more healthily and drinking more.
In order to get the best results, you should drink the infusion of a single tea bag three times per day. In the morning, infuse a middle sized jug from a single tea bag. Start by drinking a single cup, drink the next 3 hours later and the final one 3 hours after that. To get the infusion made, use boiled water and infuse for 10 minutes. Always drink the first cup hot. The subsequent drinks can be taken reheated or cold.
Try to avoid process foods, dairy, wheat and meat while you follow a detox program. Otherwise there is little point.

Conclusion

It is interesting to note that something that is as simple as taking tea can lead to detoxification of the body. A lot of teas are made from special herbs that purify the liver and aid digestion. These keep the body free from unnecessary impurities. It is best to start the day with a cleansing mug of hot detox tea with a quarter of squeezed lemon for best results. Here are some other recommendations:

  • Eat fresh fruit or porridge for breakfast
  • Avoid black tea, coffee and alcohol. Replace with detox tea that supports the kidneys and dandelion root tea to promote liver functioning
  • Avoid processed and prepared foods; instead take unprocessed meals such as those prepared with boiling, steaming and poaching as opposed to frying

Drinking detox tea can be a great way to maintain the health of your body. You should consider doing a major cleanse at least once a year to keep your body in perfect shape. It is good for good physical maintenance so that diseases don’t accumulate and get out of control. Target various kinds of detox tea cleanses for the different organs and systems of the body like the liver and the digestive system to enjoy good health in the long run.