Liquid & Herb Diets

Liquid diets tend to be controversial, though some alternative practitioners and members of the general public believe in their healing capabilities. Often, liquid diets are used to give the body a break due to sickness or stress, and herbs may be included to help build immunity and move toxins outside of the body. Although no peer-reviewed scientific studies currently exist to back up the efficacy of liquid diets, some still decide to partake in a form of liquid diet for a period of time.

Liquid diets can be harmful to your health depending on your current medical condition, such as if you are suffering from diabetes or pregnant. Check with your doctor before starting a liquid diet.

Bladder-Kidney Liquid Diet

Author Linda Page says this liquid diet is good for the bladder and kidneys. In Page's book, "Linda Page's Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone," she recommends drinking eight to 10 glasses of water a day to help both the kidneys and bladder operate efficiently. You consume carrot, beet, cucumber, watermelon, cranberry and apple juices on this diet. You also take the following herbs: marshmallow tea, dandelion tea and parsley tea. Page recommends taking a probiotic supplement during the duration of the diet. Do not follow the diet for longer than three days.

Though water is known to flush the kidneys and bladders, this liquid diet has not been proven to heal any diseases related to either organ.

Colon Cleansing Liquid Diet

Another liquid diet that includes herbs is a colon cleansing liquid diet. In the "Doctor's Guide to Natural Medicine" by Dr. Paul Barney, he notes that a colon cleanse liquid diet may give the body a chance to rest from constant digestion, assimilation and elimination. The liquid diet he describes includes freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices, with cabbage, beet, carrot, celery and grape juice particularly recommended, green drinks that include spirulina or chlorophyll and pure, filtered water. Barney recommends including pau d'arco and echinacea teas to boost immunity, and dandelion, red clover, alfalfa and chamomile to detoxify the blood and settle the stomach. Do not follow this diet for longer than three days.

A colon cleansing liquid diet has not been proven to better the function of the colon. Do not embark on a colon cleansing liquid diet if suffering from colon-related illness.

Lung and Respiratory Liquid Diet

A liquid diet may be helpful when suffering from a cold or respiratory issues, according to Page. She recommends a liquid diet of pineapple or grapefruit juice mixed with a green food supplement, veggie juice, carrot juice, broth, miso soup and water to help fight off infection and provide the body with a lot of nutrients. She also suggests the following herbs: oregano oil, echinacea, astralagus, goldenseal, licorice and red clover, all of which she says can cleanse the lungs and build the immune system. Do not remain on this diet for longer than three days.

A lung and respiratory liquid diet, like all liquid diets, lacks fiber, protein and fat. It is harmful to the body to go without these nutrients for any extended period of time.