So you think a cup or two of detox tea from favorite brand can help flush out toxin from the body? I am afraid not.
And do you know that some marketed detox tea may even lead to health issues?
That's why it's better to understand the ingredients first and then make a cup of customized detox tea for yourself.
It is not even hard. Most of the ingredients can be found in your nearby grocery store. Besides, by knowing the ingredients, you can bring out the best results.
HOW DETOX TEA WORKS?
In the past, herbalists used various herbs to achieve medicinal benefits. Nowadays, herbs are still commonly consumed and drinking detox tea is one of the means to deal with contemporary solutions as fast weight loss and body cleanses.
There aren't very strict rules regarding dosage when it comes to herbal teas. It's usually fine to have 2-5 cups of tea per day, depending on the types of the herbs, however, overdose is not suggested.
WHAT IS DETOX TEA?
Detox is a drink made from herbal ingredients and whose purpose is to flush toxins out of the body. Most blends are based either on ancient Chinese medicine or various types of herbalism.
Some of the most common use of detox tea include weight loss, body detox after overindulgence, liver detox and improving metabolism and boosting the immune system.
It is important to note that detox teas aren't the solution to all body problems. There are also different variation based on the intended results.
A simple way to start is to choose only single ingredient instead of blending multiple herbs.
In this way, you can understand how your body reacts to certain ingredients in a more direct way. Also, this can help avoid mixing ingredients that don't go well with each.
You may think the safest way is just to buy mixed teas directly from the shelf, but this isn't always the case.
For example, I commonly see Ginseng Green Tea on the shelf, but these actually are two ingredients that shouldn't go together. Ginseng and Green tea leaf are ambivalent to each other. By combining them together, it means your tea will lead to no effect!
Another example will be the famous yogi detox tea, study actually shows that six ingredients in this tea having hepatotoxic effects, which may lead to acute liver failure.
That's why I usually recommend to just get simple ingredients and make a cup of detox tea at home.
Before making your own cup of tea, it's important to understand the ingredients. I will share some tried and tested facts about the 9 most common detox tea ingredients to help you scoop that extra insight about the health benefits and side effects of your Millennial beverage.
These 9 ingredients are known as the popular detoxifying ingredients and they are highly recommended as tea as each help fight diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancers, arthritis, and other cognitive ailments and improve brain functions, dental health and immunity.
That said, too much of an intake can lead to adverse effects too.
9 BEST INGREDIENTS FOR DETOX TEA (Benefits & Side Effects)
1. Green
Yes, I am talking about real green tea here. Not the tasteless ones you can get from lipton. The taste from a cup of real green tea differs so much from the one brewed from a cheap tea bag. Most importantly, you will notice way more benefits for detoxification from good-quality green tea.
Benefits of Green Tea
Green Tea is one of the most common herbal teas and it's proven to be effective thanks to the detoxifying enzyme induction.
It is world popular for its rich detoxifying properties and proven health benefits. Packed with catechins, flavonoids, caffeine and heaps of anti-inflammatory ingredients, this organic tea can boost your thermogenesis, metabolism and fat oxidation to steer weight loss.
What's more, a cup of this tea can even help fight type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancers, arthritis, and other cognitive ailments, and improve brain functions, detail health and immunity.
Sides Effect of Green tea
But a growing body of research shows, that too much consumption can lead to severe adverse effects, including anxiety, insomnia, iron deficiency, miscarriages, and even birth defects. Green tea might also interfere with some medicines used to treat depression or cardiovascular diseases.
Therefore, a daily intake of not more than 300-400mg Green tea is recommended to keep the disadvantages at bay.
What (Not) Go Well With Green Tea?
(NO) Ginseng. It's a common mistake to put Ginseng and Green tea together. Ginseng is an ingredient that aims to boost the immune system through reinforcing vital energy. However, green tea can strongly counter the benefits that can be brought by Ginseng. So, despite not making any harmful effect, it's a total waste to combine Ginseng and Green tea
(NO) Goji. The tannic acid in Green tea has a strong absorbing function. It will absorb the elements that are contained in Goji and then make them into something that is hard to get absorbed by our body.
(YES) Ginger. To maintain the simplicity and the detox effect of the tea, the only ingredient that can be added to green tea is Ginger. These two ingredients go well together no matter for taste or detoxifying effects.
2. Ginger
Ginger root is a very common ingredients and you can find it everywhere. Make sure you keep the ginger skin while making teas because it will make your tea more flavorful.
With that being said, it's better to use organic ginger for tea so that you won't have to worry about any pesticide residues.
Benefits of Ginger Tea
Loaded with powerful vitamins, magnesium, and minerals, ginger makes one of the most common detox tea ingredients that comes with a mesmerizing spicy and aromatic flavor. It can offer a wide range of health benefits.
For example, a regular drink made of freshly grated ginger could improve your body's immune function, blood circulation, digestion, and help relieve stress, nausea, and inflammation.
Ginger tea's amazing effects on digestion and stress-relief is what most related to the concept of detoxification. A good digestive system help you to better absorb nutrition and rid of toxins. And a calm mind can boost you overall mental well-being.
Sides Effect of Ginger Tea
However, an abnormal quantity of ginger can offer a number of side effects, albeit minor. Some are heartburn, inflammation, stomach upset as well as lightheadedness.
Moreover, the salicylates present in ginger can act as a blood thinner and lead to potential bleeding problems. So, go for a guided drink to avoid all possible side effects.
3. Milk Thistle
Milk Thistle tea is very ideal for those of you who would like to do liver detox. However, pregnant women and people who have hormonal challenges should run away from this ingredient.
Benefits of Milk Thistle Tea
Milk Thistle is a popular flowering herb which is known for centuries for its natural detoxifying capabilities to repair liver ailments.
A regular cup of this tea contains powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory seed extracts that can help detoxify the body with its key compound, silymarin.
As several pieces of lab researches indicate, this tea can cocoon your body against the harmful side effects of alcohol and acetaminophen, and other toxic waste materials that deposit regularly in the liver.
It also helps fight against cholesterol, heart problems, type 2 diabetes, cirrhosis, gallbladder, hepatitis, and jaundice.
Side Effects of Milk Thistle Tea
However, there is still a lack of enough evidence to prove how these ingredients work/not work? And there are some sheer proven side-effects that a cup of Milk Thistle tea can bring. And the list includes diarrhea, loss of appetite, gastric problems, bloating, nausea, itching, and indigestion.
In fact, the consumption of this tea in large quantities might even interfere with some medications. So, it's better to consult with a physician before you consider this as your staple detoxifying elixir.
4. Burdock
It's not common to find fresh Burdock. You best chance is your local asian shop. However, if fresh burdock is not an option for you, the dried burdock roots will work just as amazingly.
Benefits of Burdock Tea
Burdock, an herbal and medicinal plant root, known for its plenty of laxative, inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, including luteolin, sesquiterpene lactones, quercetin, and phenolic acids, is gaining much popularity as a detox tea now.
In fact, a regular drink could help detoxify the body and protect the liver from alcohol and acetaminophen-related side effects.
Also, a great blood purifier, Burdock tea can protect the skin from potential free radical-induced damages. What's more, it can also slow down the growth of tumor cells in the body.
Side Effects of Burdock
That said, this organic elixir comes with some proven side effects too, and more so when taken in an unrestricted quantity.
For example, if you are dehydrated or allergic to chrysanthemums or daisies, or even suffering from bleeding disorders, consuming this herbal tea without prescription could make the situation further worse.
5. Peppermint
Whether in fresh or dried form, peppermint is an effective and affordable herb for tea detox. Personally, I have peppermint tea almost everyday and the best time will be after meals as it provides strong digestive effect.
Benefits of Peppermint Tea
Want to control appetite and lose weight? Peppermint tea sometimes referred to as " the stomach healer" could probably help you shed those extra pounds by suppressing your untimely hunger and sweet cravings.
The plenty of menthol present in freshly chopped peppermint leaves can make a savory detoxifying drink to treat a number of disorders.
Some researches further reveal that peppermint tea can treat many stomach problems and also relieve symptoms like irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, nausea, flatulence, and even diarrhea.
Side Effects of Peppermint Tea
Despite its proven goodness, peppermint tea can severely interfere with some medications and make situations worse.
Like, too much of this tea can lower blood sugar, develop allergic reactions, stimulate uterine blood flow. and cause diarrhea, muscle cramps, tremors, drowsiness, stomach problems and even dropped heartbeats.
Also, people with pregnancy, GERD symptoms should avoid this tea.
So, read the label for directions when you choose this as a regular detoxifying drink.
6. Parsley
Yes, you heard me correctly. Parsley can be used for tea as well. Taste-wise, this is not my favorite tea. But I can't deny that I can really feel the detoxifying effect after drink this tea for two weeks.
Benefits of Parsley Tea
A great seasoning herb Parsley can offer surprising health benefits when taken as an herbal tea. It has flavonoids, apigenin, and luteolin in a bounty.
And when it comes to cleaning the body organs from impurities and waste deposits, each of its diuretic compounds is believed to offer a tall-list of detoxifying benefits.
But, did you know there is not enough scientific evidence about how these ingredients work/not work?
Still, parsley is a great source of vitamins, iron, calcium, potassium, copper, and the tea can help reduce bad breath, menstrual cramps, sodium intake, stomach bloating just to name a few.
Side Effects of Parsley Tea
If you want to take a look at its side effects, a large amount of consumption might lead to problems like anemia, and liver problems.
Also, drinking this tea without medical supervision might not be safe as it could interfere with many surgeries, and other diagnosed conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney ailments.
So, a piece of medical advice is recommended before you take this herbal tea home.
7. Dandelion
Dandelion is another ingredient that is affordable and very easy to find. This is a mind type of tea. For most people, you won't feel that much the result. However, if you've never done detox before or if you have a week stomach, dandelion tea is a very beginner friendly.
And after drink it for around 3 weeks, you will notice a positive change for your bowel movements.
Benefits of Dandelion Tea
Last but not least, Dandelion, a valuable medicinal herb, is also one of the most common detox tea ingredients to offer active elements like Gallic acid, luteolin, and apigenin.
Research backed studies show that this natural drink can stimulate bile production to help flush out toxic materials from the body and protect organs from toxin related damages.
Also, the diuretic properties available in a Dandelion tea product can help reduce water retention, stomach bloating, stomach upset, and other urination problems.
A regular cup of this tea can also help improve kidney condition, digestion and gall bladder functions.
Side Effects of Dandelion Tea
However, this herbal tea also comes with a few head-turning side effects when consumed without clinical supervision.
There can be problems like allergic reactions, itching, inflammation, diarrhea, stomach acid discharge, heartburn, extremely low blood sugar, and increased bleeding problems.
What's more, multiple cups of Dandelion tea could also interfere with some antacids and antiplatelet drugs.
So, be careful to get the composition and the ingredients checked by your physician or nutritionist.
The next two ingredients I want to talk about have laxative effects. Many people think laxative herbs is for unhealthy weight loss. This is a biased concept. In fact, if used properly, laxative herbs do have detoxifying effects. Weight loss is just an incidental effect based on detox.
8. Hibiscus
Benefits of Hibiscus Tea
The much popular Hibiscus offers antioxidants and anthocyanins in bounty, and a tea made from this herb can work as a powerful antitoxin drink. This organic plant is a natural sweetener and a metabolism booster. It also contains rich fruit acids that work as a strong laxative and antibiotic.
As studies suggest, a daily cup of Hibiscus tea can help in lowering blood pressure, sugar, fat, and reduce stomach, uterus and intestinal spasm and swelling.
Side Effects of Hibiscus Tea
However, picking Hibiscus as one of the common detox tea ingredients might give you some unintended negative health impacts, especially when consumed in plenty.
It can create difficulties for people with low blood pressure, pregnancy, or surgical restrictions. So, consult your health expert.
9. Senna
Use senna with cautions! great cautions! This tea will work quickly and effectively, however you shall not take more than 6g per day and it's not recommend to take it for a long run.
Benefits of Senna Tea
To begin with the most common herbal tea, Senna tea is a world popular detoxifying drink for its cleansing and purifying properties.
Rich in laxative compounds, this tea ingredient contains a high amount of anthraquinones.
It has proven health benefits for people suffering from constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, and even rectal surgical complications. This organic tea can stimulate weight loss and help fight obesity.
Side Effects of Senna Tea
But a growing body of research also shows that too much consumption can lead to severe health damages, including liver damage, potassium depletion, electrolyte abnormalities, and even cardiovascular disorders.
Therefore, a consultation is recommended prior to selecting this tea to keep all the disadvantages at bay.
WILL DETOX TEA HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT?
Unfortunately, even though detox tea assists in weight loss, the effects are not long lasting. Detoxification only helps in weight loss through loss of excess moisture in the body, laxative components and suppressing appetite.
Once you are off the detox tea, you get back to your original weight pretty fast. That being said, the only way to effectively lose weight through detox is by combining it with a healthy diet and exercise.
Therefore, drinking detox tea is the first and easiest step towards a healthier lifestyle. Are you ready?