Dieters may consume a variety of diet teas and herbal diet teas to aid them in their weight loss quests. Some diet teas may speed up your metabolism, curb your appetite, satisfy food cravings, stimulate your bowels or help flush your system of water. Herbs in diet teas can add flavor, calm queasy stomachs and may help relieve headaches brought on by a change of diet. Even diet teas with all-natural ingredients should be taken with caution and a physician's advice, though.
Senna
Senna is a natural tropical herb that has been used for centuries to activate the intestines and relieve constipation. Senna may also be known as the herb cassia, a medicinal laxative that herbalists recorded as effective in the ninth century. You'll find senna to be the active ingredient in many of today's non-prescription laxatives. Senna may cause the intestines to contract, causing cramping. Always check with your health care professional before ingesting senna. If you're drinking senna diet tea, drink no fewer than 64 oz. of additional clear water each day to prevent dehydration.
Ma Huang
The Chinese herb Ma Huang may contain ephedra, which is an illegal substance in many parts of the United States. History records that Chinese herbalists have used the herb for more than 1,000 years. Ma Huang diet tea is a stimulant that may decrease your appetite while it increases your metabolism. Ma Huang may also increase your heart rate, stimulate your lungs and cause you to breathe more quickly. Check your state and local laws to be sure Ma Huang is permitted in your locale. Ask your medical provider if Ma Huang tea may be safe and effective for you.
Mint
Peppermint and spearmint are related herbs that frequently appear in herbs that comprise or complement diet teas. Mint has a long history in folk medicine as a digestive aid, with mint tea being the after-meal beverage of choice in many countries. Some dieters use peppermint or spearmint tea for a calorie-free method to improve the breath and body odors associated with the purgative effects of some diet teas. Mint tea also may be suggested as part of several cleansing diets. Don't begin any cleansing or diet tea regimen without discussing the program with your health care provider.
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