Detox teas have been rising in popularity at an incredible rate in recent years. This is hardly surprising considering the amount of recommendation it gets from celebrities, social media bloggers, and vloggers to nutritionists and dieticians. Marketed as all-natural, most detox teas aim to help people balance their weight, boost the immune system, and keep the body healthy.
If you’re looking to make your own, however, you’ll find some simple recipes here that won’t take you more than a handful of minutes to prepare. The best part? You can probably find most of these ingredients in your refrigerator or your local health stores. Read on to know more about detox teas and how you can brew your own at any time of the day.
Do Detox Teas Really Work?
Often compared to traditional medicinal herbs, detox teas’ purpose is in its name: detoxification. In essence, detoxification is the process of removing toxins from the body to help organs function well and maintain overall well-balanced health. Some incorporate detox in their diet to lose weight, lower blood pressure, or help manage other medical conditions.
When toxins build-up, the body has natural ways to flush it out, but the process can be made difficult if too much of the bad stuff is taken in and cleaning organs like the kidneys and liver can’t keep up. A constant diet of processed food and lack of regular exercise could also exacerbate toxins’ side effects in the body like cardiovascular and digestive tract diseases.
If the body’s natural ways of flushing out toxins falter or fail, can detox teas help? The answer to this remains hypothetical at best, at least according to scientific findings. As it is, there is no concrete evidence that detox tea performs detoxification on its own. Instead, experts suggest that these natural ingredients support the body’s natural process of detoxification.
Healthy Tea Recipes
While many recommend different detox tea recipes, not all of them can be an effective cleanse. You should be wary of “skinny teas” and “miracle teas” that market themselves as a fast, effective way to achieve changes specifically in weight, skin, and pre-existing medical conditions. These fads are, more often than not, either fake, dangerous, or both.
If you want to delve into the world of detox tea, try to go as natural as possible. DIY recipes are highly suggested, so you know what is in the tea bag or steeper, thus knowing what you’re putting into your body.
Fruit teas like berry detox and peach detox are also good if you’re looking for unique recipes with a good dose of vitamins and minerals. Lavender, Indian sarsaparilla, moringa, green tea, and other roots and plants are great for herbal detoxes.
If you’re not in the mood to hunt for herbs in the local market or grocery stores, try these simple homemade brews made with the natural ingredients in your pantry. Apple cider vinegar, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, lemon, and other flavorful and healthy ingredients can be made into great caffeine-free herbal teas.
CBD Detox Tea
Cannabidiol or CBD is a hemp-derived cannabinoid that boasts many supposed health benefits. These include antioxidants that help protect the body against free radicals, anti-inflammatory properties that could reduce infections, and relaxing components to manage anxiety and sleeping disorders.
In addition to this, CBD is a useful supplement against toxins. It doesn’t so much as repel toxins but makes the body stronger to perform detoxification smoothly and correctly. The cannabinoid has also been found to potentially detoxify alcohol and drugs from the system, especially for those going through withdrawal symptoms.
Some hemp brands sell pre-packaged CBD tea bags, but if you already have your favorite CBD oil on hand, you can brew your own in a few simple steps.
Ingredients:
- 1 tea bag with herbal infusion (your choice!)
- 1 cup of hot water
- 5-10 drops of CBD Oil in Lavender Flavor*
- 1 tablespoon of honey (optional)
- A splash of cream or milk (optional)
Directions:
- Prepare boiling water and mug.
- Steep the herbal tea for a few minutes.
- Add in honey, milk, cream, or any other add-ons you prefer.
- Remove the bag after the desired flavor is achieved. Remember that a teabag steeped for too long can become bitter.
- Add a generous amount of your favorite CBD oil tincture.
*Take note that it depends entirely on the amount of CBD you want to incorporate into the detox tea. You can adjust dosage according to your body’s reaction and desired effects.
Ginger & Lemon Detox Tea
Start your day right with a boost to the immune system and a healthy push to your digestive system with a good, hot cup of ginger and lemon detox tea. This combo is a sure win for your detox routine with lemon’s abundance in Vitamin C and ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties.
It is also an excellent way to hydrate throughout the day. You can take it as a morning drink for breakfast or as an infused drink over ice in a water bottle that you can sip on at school or work. Check out this simple two-ingredient infusion that you can brew in less than ten minutes.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 teaspoon freshly peeled and grated (or sliced, if you prefer that instead) ginger
- 1 lemon wedge
- 2-3 teaspoons raw honey (optional)
Directions:
- Prepare hot water in a mug.
- Put the shredded or sliced ginger into the mug. You can also opt to wrap it in a teabag or infuser.
- The wedge of lemon can be added directly with the peel, or you can squeeze it into the concoction.
- Steep for 5 minutes or so before serving.
- Add honey to taste, but this is optional, of course.
Dandelion Root Tea Detox
Dandelion root has been used for thousands of years in Asian countries and licorice roots, ginger, barley, and a thousand other crops. Dandelion root is considered a natural diuretic, amongst its other health benefits. There are also antioxidants in the root that could help protect the liver so it can function better.
The root is also present in several popular tea trends that have arisen late, including Yogi Detox Tea. Usually, home-grown, dried dandelion roots can also be found in health food stores or online grocery shops. Once you find your main ingredient, everything else is pretty much just an add-on.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons dried dandelion root
- 2 dried cloves (optional)
- 1 teaspoon of sliced or grated ginger (optional)
- 1 squeeze of the lemon wedge (optional)
- Organic honey or agave to taste
Directions:
- Place the dried dandelion roots in a tea bag or infuser, or you can leave it loose in the cup.
- Add in cloves and ginger.
- Pour in hot water and steep for five to ten minutes. Remove solid ingredients and stir the liquid well.
- Add honey or other natural sweeteners. Serve and enjoy!
Detox Cinnamon Tea
From lattes to stews to bread, cinnamon is undoubtedly one of the most versatile spices out there. Not only is it fragrant and delicious, but it also contains many health benefits. Containing properties that can help decrease the chances of acquiring diabetes, cinnamon also has plenty of antioxidants.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of hot water
- 1-2 sticks of cinnamon
- A couple of cardamom pods (optional)
- 1 teaspoon of sliced or grated ginger (optional)
Directions:
- Boil water in a saucepan or kettle.
- Add in cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger.
- Simmer for a few minutes and strain the liquid.
- Add in sweeteners to taste. Enjoy!
How Much Detox Tea Should I Drink a Day?
Detox teas can indeed be a great addition to your health routine. It can help your body purge out harmful toxins and regulate your functions daily to help you stay in optimal health. However, no matter its health claims and the many popular users who recommend it, too much of anything is never good for anyone.
Be especially careful of cleansing tea products that claim quick weight loss. Some of these teas contain laxatives that can cause stomach cramps to IBMs to inflamed stomach linings, depending on the variety and strength infused in the tea. Natural laxatives are preferable to chemical ones, but still, be very careful when taking them.
Final Thoughts
As you join in the detox health trend, it is important to note that what works for some may not always work for you. No matter the hype surrounding detox teas, take note that the Food and Drug Administration has not approved any of these health claims or any product sold in the market. Most of these pre-packed drinks are considered supplements and unregulated at that.
However, drinking an all-natural, home-brewed infusion at the comforts of your own space can certainly not harm. Just make sure to opt for the most organic ingredients available. Check with your physician first before using ingredients in this list of recipes that may not suit your diet or pre-existing medical condition.