Herbs have active constituents that act upon different systems of the body and can help release toxins and accumulated waste. According to traditional Chinese medicine website, www.drshen.com, you should approach an herbal detoxification program when you have clear signs of toxicity in the body, such as swelling and boils in the skin, blotchiness, fevers, jaundice or cancer. It is not recommended to use Chinese herbs for a detox based on assumptions regarding the toxicity in your body, and you should always consult a licensed acupuncturist before taking Chinese herbs to cleanse your organs and different systems of your body.
Step 1
Fill a large pot with filtered water and bring it to a rolling boil.
Step 2
Add 1/2 cup organic ground black sesame seeds and 1/4 cup each of organic dry asparagus root and organic dry forsythia berries. In traditional Chinese medicine, black sesame seeds are called hei zhi ma and are used as a nutritive demulcent, which means they sooth and moisten the mucus membranes of the digestive tract. They are also considered a laxative and will help release toxins by promoting bowel movements in the colon. Tian men dong, or asparagus root, is also used as a demulcent, with expectorant qualities, which means it will help detoxify the lungs by expelling phlegm through the bronchial tract. Forsythia berries, known as lian qiao, help cleanse the lymphatic system and treat toxic sores and carbuncles, according to the book "The Way of Chinese Herbs" by acupuncturist Michael Tierra.
Step 3
Let the herbs simmer on medium heat for at least 25 minutes, in order to prepare a decoction, which is a concentrated tea that helps extract all the constituents from the plant material.
Step 4
Add honey if you wish to sweeten your herbal decoction.
Step 5
Strain out the herbs and fill a cup with your decoction.
Step 6
Drink your asparagus root, black sesame seed and forsythia berry decoction daily, three times per day for a period of two weeks.
Tips and Warnings
- Store your herbal decoction in the refrigerator to keep it from spoiling.
- Detoxifying your body can help promote weight loss because it releases accumulated fecal matter and retained water as well as helping your body increase your metabolism. Avoid hard to digest and greasy foods during your detox program. Discontinue the use of these Chinese herbs if you experience adverse effects or if you have diarrhea. Avoid cleansing during your menstrual period if you're a woman.
Things You'll Need
- Large pot
- Filtered water
- Asparagus root
- Black sesame seed
- Forsythia berries
- Honey (optional)
References
- "The Way of Chinese Herbs"; Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D.; 1998
- Dr. Shen: Chinese Herbs and Chinese Medicine for Detox
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