Herbal detoxifying teas can be enjoyed by almost anyone.  They serve a number of purposes.  They help cleanse the body which allows the body to work more effectively – since it isn’t weighed down with breaking down and eliminating toxins, it can more easily digest and eliminate food.

Additionally, detoxifying teas clean the colon and the liver.  This is extremely important because as one of the liver’s prime functions is detoxification and the production of biochemicals – bile, for example – which are necessary for digestion.  The liver, by the way, is the largest gland in the human body.  Its proper functioning is vital to survival.

Herbal teas have been used for centuries not only as tonics and cleansers but for their taste and general enjoyment.  You can find them pre-made in the grocery store right next to other coffee and tea beverages or you can put together your own according to your tastes and needs.

Some classic herbal ingredients used in detox tea are:

• Chamomile – commonly used to soothe digestion, anxiety and insomnia.  It is mildly sedative.
• Ginger – historically used to calm nausea and cleanse the body via perspiration.  It is one of the most widely used herbal remedy known.
• Lemon – a vital source of vitamin C, historically used to ease rheumatism and fever.
• Lemonbalm – used to promote perspiration, relieve fever insomnia and anxiety and to ease menstrual cramping.  it is mildly sedative.
• Lemongrass – used to strengthen stomach functions and as a treatment for indigestion.  It is also used to loosen mucus and relieve headaches.  It acts as a diuretic is a mild sedative.
• Nettle – used as a whole body tonic and as a remedy for rheumatism and arthritis and as a general detoxifying agent.
• Rose hip – believed to enhance kidney function and maintain the urinary tract.  It is also used for the treatment of colds, flu, scurvy, diarrhea and gastritis.

You’ll notice that many of the ingredients listed above have sedative properties.  They are extremely mild and generally calming.  Don’t expect that consuming a tea made with each of these herbs will  knock you out.  They are as calming and sleep inducing as coffee is stimulative.

Whether you decide to make your own tea or purchase premixed blends from the store, herbal teas are a great tasting way to detoxify your body.

Preparing for an herbal detoxification should be no more difficult than gathering the required ingredients, some easily digestible (preferably vegetarian) broths and food and enough time to go through the process with limited stress to your body, i.e., stop exercising, and be prepared to rest.  This is a recuperative process, after all.

Now, how much time you need?  The more time you can spend, the better, but one complete 24 hour period is the minimum amount of time you should be prepared to spend.

What you will be doing is eliminating toxins that have built up over time due to environmental factors, food processing agents and any other chemicals you may have absorbed or ingested in the past.  These foreign substenses are regularly filtered out of your system and broken down in the kidneys, gall bladder, liver and colon.

Herbal detox products are designed to strengthen intestinal muscles, improve  digestion and generally remove  harmful materials in your gall bladder and liver in addition to eliminating any intestinal parasites.

The simplest method for undergoing an herbal detox is to have your herbs prepared as detoxifying tea.  This way, you can drink them all day long.  They are generally mild tasting and your body will benefit from a continual lower dose of herbs over a long period of time as opposed to a powder or pill once or twice a day.

You will also find herbal extracts.  These are prepared very much the same way as spice extracts, like vanilla.  These should be avoided because the preparation method involves steeping the herb or spice in alcohol, which should be avoided during this time.

In the very simplest of terms a detox involves consuming only natural products (i.e., not adding any toxins) while eating and drinking those products that will help you eliminate toxic buildups.

So, a simple diet of vegetables and broths with whole grains for fiber is a perfect way to start.  Add some psyllium for extra fiber which both fills the stomach, reducing hunger, and aids in evacuation.

Some common herbs in the detox process are dandelion root and milk thistle for liver detox.  Juniper berries help the entire ‘waste-water’ system detoxifying the kidnewy, bladder and urinary tract.  (And you thought it was just a flavoring for gin!)

Burdock root is thought to aid in ridding the body of heavy metals an is used to clean out the lymphic system.

Reference to gin aside, alcohol should be avoided while detoxifying.  That only makes sense, right?

However you go about your herbal detoxification, drink plenty of water.  It is the most natural way to flush out your system.  You should notice an increase in your energy and vitality in as little as 24 hours.  However, it is recommended you stick with a detoxification program for a few days to let the benefits of the herbs really take effect.