Teas That Detox

Detox teas represent an excellent way to cleanse your body of toxins, whether as an ongoing daily ritual or as the mainstay of a three-day liquid diet. "In normal health, our organs of detoxification and elimination---liver, kidneys, bowels, lungs, and skin---carry out their task unaided by us," notes author Barbara Griggs in her book "The Green Witch Herbal." She adds: "When the waste starts to pile up, however, things get out of hand." A few herbal teas come to the rescue by aiding one or more of our organs in "de-gunking" our systems.

Burdock

"This is one of the great purifying herbs, assisting liver and kidneys and helping clear dry scaly skin," asserts Griggs. Drugs.com notes that burdock also acts as a diaphoretic, helping the body sweat out toxins and fluid retention. Drink 3 cups of burdock root tea each day as a detox tool. Boil 1 tsp. chopped burdock root in a cupful of water for 10 minutes, then strain and cool, suggests Griggs.

Milk Thistle

A compound called silymarin, harvested through milk thistle's seeds, seems to be responsible for milk thistle's ability to protect the liver from toxins. In fact, people with cirrhosis of the liver improved after taking silymarin, according to the American Cancer Society. While supplement form remains the most popular way to take it, a powdered version exists for tea drinkers, notes the ACS. Follow the directions of the label for how many cups per drink is optimum; you'll want to get between 140 to 400 mg of the silymarin compound in the course of a day.

Dandelion Root and Leaf

Dandelion root detoxes the body by improving the flow of bile, boosting liver function, according to Northwestern Health Sciences University. It also helps balance digestion and estrogen. The University of Maryland Medical Center further links dandelion root to gall bladder health. Use both leaves and roots to create the best all-around detoxifier. The leaves act as diuretics, while the roots are mild laxatives. Save the cost of health food store teas by harvesting the leaves in early spring and the roots throughout their growing season. Air-dry or dehydrate the leaves and roots and store in airtight tins. Make dandelion leaf tea by pouring hot water over 1 to 2 tsp. of the dried leaves and steeping for 10 minutes. Prepare dandelion root tea by boiling 1 ½ to 2 tsp. of dried root in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes, then straining. Drink either brew three times daily, or alternate dandelion leaf tea with dandelion root tea.

Herbal Tea Blend

For an all around cleansing boost, consider herbalist Jeanne Rose's "Detoxify Tea for All Conditions." Combine 3 parts dried parsley to 1 part each dried celery, fennel seeds, cherry stems, dried dandelion leaf, dried couch grass, corn silk and dried blackberry leaves. Simmer 1 to 2 tsp. per cup of water for five minutes and strain. "I prefer to have one day a week where I eat very little and drink this mixture," notes Rose. "It acts as a mild diuretic and body cleanser."