Detox tea is a beverage made from various plants. It has been used for centuries in Chinese culture. Now it has become popular as an alternative medicine, claiming to help flush toxins out of the body and to give you clearer skin and a slimmer figure.
However, there’s limited scientific evidence that detox teas have any health benefit whatsoever – so perhaps they should be used as an occasional novelty rather than as a replacement for other forms of healthy living.
What is detox tea?
‘Detox tea’ can refer to any herbal tea containing particular ingredients, including ginger, dandelion leaves, fresh rosemary and various flowers. These ingredients are used as a ‘cleansing ingredient’, rather than in their own right. In the case of ginger and rosemary, for example, the leaves have been whizzed into a fine powder that’s added along with boiling water to make tea.
But all of these teas contain compounds known as flavonoids, which can help to reduce stress and boost immunity. These are found in many fruit and vegetable varieties, as well as green tea – so you will also find them in other herbal teas.
Caffeine is another ingredient that’s sometimes included, although it can have a different effect. Tea made with fresh black (not green) tea contains caffeine, while herbal teas usually don’t. The reason for this is that caffeinated tea can cause some stomach upset – and the laxative effects of herbal teas may be due to their caffeine content.
So when you’re looking for detox tea on the internet, find out how it was made – if possible – and what’s been added besides the herbs.
History of Detox Tea
Some of the earliest records of herbal tea date back to the 13th century, when Marco Polo mentioned it in one of his travelogs.
There’s little information about how it was made – but it’s thought to have been a simple infusion made from a single herb.
Throughout history, herbal teas have been used for their medicinal properties – and were usually taken by those believed to be in good health.
How to make a detox tea?
If you want to try making your own detox tea, you will need some herbal teas. These are usually sold in health food shops, although some supermarkets and online shops also sell them.
To make the tea, simply pour boiling water over the herbs and steep for a couple of minutes. This may taste stronger than you’re used to if you’ve never tried herbal teas before, so you might want to start with just one teaspoon of the mixture and work your way up. Drink throughout the day and again before bedtime to get the most out of it.
Once you’ve got into it, try experimenting by adding other ingredients such as lemon juice or honey – although don’t add extra sugar, as any benefit from your detox tea will be severely limited if you start adding sugar too.
Not everyone has a sweet tooth and honey can cause stomach upset in some people, so lemon juice makes a good alternative. You could also add fresh mint leaves or spearmint if you prefer – although these should be added just before serving.
What to do next?
If you’d like to continue using this tea for the rest of your life, you should keep an eye out for teas that contain only herbs and caffeine. After several months of using a detox tea, you may have noticed diet changes that help improve your health, or that lead to slimmer future figures. You might even have noticed an improvement in your skin condition (although this may be due to other factors).
Benefits
Teas made from ingredients like chamomile and mint have been used for centuries to treat stomach upsets, including bloating, wind and indigestion – probably because of their antispasmodic effects.
But the ingredients most commonly associated with detox teas (grapefruit, dandelion and green tea, for example) have no proven medicinal value. They don’t flush out toxins. Nor do they help you to lose weight or to have clearer skin.
Many sources claim that detox teas can:
- Eliminate waste from the body and reduce bloating
- Cleanse your skin and make it look younger
- Reduce cellulite and spotty skin by boosting cellular renewal
But none of these claims are backed up by scientific research. What is more, some detox teas contain natural laxatives – such as senna – which may cause side effects like dehydration or headaches.
What to watch out for in detox tea?
The manufacturers of some herbal teas claim that the herbs have cleansing properties – so they can be used as an alternative to a ‘detox diet’. There’s little evidence that they work in this way – and most dietitians recommend cutting down on sugary food and fat before considering any type of cleanse or detox diet.
Dandelion tea is one such herb that’s claimed to help fight cancer – but there’s no scientific evidence to support this claim.
How to use detox tea properly?
If you’re looking for a way to cleanse your body of toxins, it’s best not to rely solely on herbal teas.
Instead, you should reduce your intake of sugary food and fizzy drinks, avoid processed foods and boost your levels of exercise – even if it’s just a daily brisk 10-minute walk.
One systematic review – carried out by researchers based at The Chinese University of Hong Kong – found that there was very little evidence supporting the use of herbal teas, including detox teas. So it would be worthwhile speaking to your doctor or dietitian before making any major changes to your diet.
Where to buy detox tea from?
In terms of buying detox teas from a pharmacy or health food shop, these are sold in tea bags and boxes that contain a month’s supply.
When you buy them from the Internet, they’re usually sold as bulk products – so you get more tea for your money. Detox teas are mixed with water and drunk as a hot drink, although some people add milk.
Some detox teas also come with herbal laxatives – which means they work twice over to rid your body of toxins. But it’s important to read the labels carefully before using them.
Many of the sources listed below only sell herbs to people over 18 years old.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for an alternative to detox diets, herbal teas act as a mild laxative – but there are also side effects such as tiredness and headaches.
When you buy them from the Internet, you get more for your money than buying them from health food shops. But some of the herbs may interfere with medication, so it’s advisable to speak to your doctor before starting any new diet or treatment.
