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What is Detox Tea?

Katriena Knights
Katriena Knights

Detox tea usually is a combination of herbal components intended to help cleanse toxins from the body. It is often used as a health supplement and is often used in conjunction with natural weight loss. Depending on the purpose or which part of the body the tea is intended to cleanse, the ingredients of detox tea can vary widely. In general, detox tea is said to provide some variety of a gentle herbal cleanse and is often combined with a full detox program that includes meditation, dietary changes, exercise and other elements.

Some common types of detox tea include weight loss tea, general cleansing tea and teas intended to provide a liver detox or a colon detox. Ingredients often found in these teas include diuretics such as dandelion as well as herbs believed to support the liver and kidneys, such as milk thistle. Nutritionists and medical professionals differ in their opinions regarding the effectiveness of these herbal blends, and many believe the body is able to detoxify itself efficiently without assistance from herbal supplements. However, supporters of herbal and holistic medicine believe that the quantity of toxins in today's environment are simply too much for the average person's natural detoxification processes to handle.

Whether it's beneficial or not, detox teas are not harmful.
Whether it's beneficial or not, detox teas are not harmful.

In the area of weight loss, some believe that the toxins stored in fat can be released during weight loss and that a cleansing tea can help the body process these toxins more efficiently. Additionally, they feel that simply letting the body naturally purge these toxins actually slows the weight loss process by taxing the body unnecessarily. According to this school of thought, simply adding a gentle detox tea speeds the detoxification process, assists weight loss efforts and removes this burden from the body's detoxification organs such as the liver and skin.

Detox tea may be used to cleanse the colon.
Detox tea may be used to cleanse the colon.

Whether detox tea is as beneficial as some believe, this kind of herbal tea generally is not harmful. Those with existing medical conditions, especially high blood pressure or conditions that could affect the liver, should consult with a doctor before consuming herbs such as milk thistle, licorice and some other common ingredients in detox tea. Most detox teas list their ingredients and the amounts on the box, making it easy for a doctor to determine if anything in the tea could be harmful. If detox tea is made at home with a recipe, it is important to keep track of the individual ingredients and the amounts used.

Discussion Comments

Sporkasia

Before you try a so-called detox tea routine, be certain that the tea you are drinking does not contain any unwanted additives. I have a friend who started a detox diet that included several cups of tea during the day. After starting the diet, she began feeling jittery and nervous. The tea contained a large amount of caffeine and she drank very little caffeine as a rule, so her body was not accustomed to the stimulant.

Animandel

Some years ago when green tea was beginning to get a lot of attention as a great source of antioxidants, and as a great way to help keep the body healthy, I decided to join all of the others who were hopping on the bandwagon. Green teas are great herbal detox teas and they are good for so many different ailments. I can't for sure say that green tea is making me healthier, but I believe drinking the tea has helped me.

I feel better most days than I did previously. This isn't something that happened immediately. I didn't drink the tea one morning and then miraculously feel great from then on, but over time I believe I am better off.

Laotionne

As someone who has tried almost every weight-loss product and every weight-loss plan on the market, I have to say that I have my doubts about detox tea helping me lose weight, but I think there are probably some benefits to drinking this type of tea. After all, there are toxins in our bodies and there is no harm in trying to help our natural removal systems get rid of them.

My grandmother used to always tell us that we needed to take laxatives to help remove the toxins from our bodies. She would take a laxative several times a year for this purpose. I would much rather drink the tea than take the laxative, no disrespect to Grandma.

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    • Whether it's beneficial or not, detox teas are not harmful.
      By: gtranquillity
      Whether it's beneficial or not, detox teas are not harmful.
    • Detox tea may be used to cleanse the colon.
      By: CLIPAREA.com
      Detox tea may be used to cleanse the colon.
    • Some detox teas are recommended for detoxification of the liver.
      By: nerthuz
      Some detox teas are recommended for detoxification of the liver.
    • Because herbs are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the strength of herbal detox teas is not standardized in the United States.
      By: Elenathewise
      Because herbs are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the strength of herbal detox teas is not standardized in the United States.
    • Most tea manufacturers clearly list the ingredients of their detox and other teas on the box.
      By: strixcode
      Most tea manufacturers clearly list the ingredients of their detox and other teas on the box.