Your body has natural elimination processes that help it release toxins that you intake from the food you eat and the pollution in the air. Performing an herb detox program works as an aid to keep these processes functioning optimally and for flushing out toxins that may be stored up in the body through time. Herbs that can be used to detoxify the body should address the liver, kidneys, colon, lungs and bloodstream. Always consult your primary physician if you are under medical treatment before you take herbal remedies for a detox program.
Step 1
Begin your journal a couple of days before you begin your detox program in order to write down your energy levels and overall health prior to performing the cleanse.
Step 2
Make a senna leaf and ginger root tea each night of your detox program in order to promote bowel movements that will help cleanse out your colon. Senna is a laxative herb and ginger root is a carminative, which means it relieves colic and flatulence in the intestines that may happen while taking senna leaf, according to the book "The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism" by Simon Mills.
Step 3
Bring a large pot of filtered water to a boil each morning and add 1/4 cup each of fresh or dry chopped dandelion root and burdock root. Let the herbs simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. This is called a decoction and it is a type of concentrated tea that extracts all the medicinal qualities of the herbs. Dandelion root helps the liver as it is a cholagogue, which means it has a bitter taste that stimulates the digestive system to secrete more bile from the liver. It is also a diuretic, which means it promotes urination, helping flush out the kidneys, says herbalist David Hoffmann in his book "The New Holistic Herbal." Burdock root is considered an alterative, which means it helps nourish and cleanse the blood, says herbalist Rosemary Gladstar in her book "Family Herbal -- A Guide to Living Life with Energy, Health and Vitality."
Step 4
Add 30 drops of gravel root tincture to your dandelion and burdock decoction. Gravel root is another diuretic that is primarily used to flush out kidney stones, writes Hoffmann in his book "The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal."
Step 5
Make lobelia tea by adding 1/2 tsp. of dry lobelia leaves to a cup of boiling water and letting the herb steep for five minutes. Strain and drink in the evening. Lobelia is an expectorant, which means it helps expel phlegm from the lungs, says Mills. It has a strong acrid taste and can be sweetened with honey if desired.
Step 6
Drink plenty of water and eat food that is easy to digest throughout your detox program and remember to write every change that happens in your journal.
Tips and Warnings
- Do your herbal detox program for seven to 10 days. Have a friend to do the program with you so you can keep each other motivated.
- Terminate the detox program if you experience pain or discomfort.
Things You'll Need
- Organic dandelion root
- Organic burdock root
- Organic lobelia leaves
- Organic senna leaves
- Organic ginger root
- Gravel root tincture
- Large pot
- Filtered water
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Honey (optional)
- Journal (optional)
References
- "The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism"; Simon Y. Mills M.A., M.N.I.M.H.;1988
- "The New Holistic Herbal"; David Hoffmann; 1995
- "Family Herbal - A Guide to Living Life with Energy, Health, and Vitality"; Rosemary Gladstar; 2001
- "The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal"; David Hoffmann; 1996
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