Saturday, December 17, 2016

Using Detox Tea For Weight Loss

By Steven Wallace


People are very interested in feeling and looking better, especially around the New Yea when resolutions are made. Losing weight is a popular goal. Using detox tea for weight loss can be a step in the right direction. However, care should be taken before taking even natural remedies. Knowing more about the herbs in teas like this is essential to a safe and effective process.

Herbs are strong medicine, but they have been used for centuries and their properties are well-established and often validated by modern research. However, their use with prescription drugs (a relatively recent development) is less well-known. Care must be taken when combining pharmaceuticals and herbals.

Teas that purport to cleanse the body of toxins often contain standard herbs that have been used for this purpose for centuries. This list includes purifying herbs, diuretics, laxatives, digestive aids, and plants added for a pleasing taste and aroma. Tradition may say that an herb is OK for daily use, or the recommendation might be to use it sporadically.

Purifying herbs might have some diuretic or laxative effect, but they have more of an effect on the kidneys and liver, helping these organs clean toxins from the bloodstream. In this category are burdock, dandelion, and milk thistle. Dandelion and milk thistle promote good digestion, while burdock is especially helpful for those with skin disorders like psoriasis and eczema.

These are considered nutritive and tonic herbs, but you should be aware that they may have diuretic and laxative properties, too. Stronger diuretics include parsley, horsetail, hawthorn, juniper, lemongrass, and hibiscus. Of course, diuretics are often used in weight loss products, and losing 'water weight' can help shed pounds, but diuretics should not be overused. Anyone taking prescription drugs for water retention or edema should be especially cautious.

Laxative herbs are also found in detox formulas. Mild ones include cascara sagrada and flax, while senna and rhubarb are considered slightly stronger. Fenugreek and chickweed are other mild laxatives. Aloe vera is an herb that is soothing to the skin and intestines but can have a strong purgative effect when used internally.

Formulas are designed to let herbs buffer each other, keeping any one from being too strong. A formula should not have too many herbs with similar properties. Too much of a laxative or diuretic could lead to dehydration, which is already a common problem in modern society. Detox should proceed gradually, as should weight loss. Herbals are generally safe when used in the time honored way and in the manner that has proved safe over centuries of use.

A formula based on ginger or peppermint, both of which boost digestion and add a tasty flavor to a tea, could have some mixture of the herbs listed above and be a pleasant help in shedding excess pounds. Consumers should monitor the effects of any herbal product and make sure it is gentle as well as effective. When formulated and used properly, a detox tea can be very helpful. Most detoxes are suggested for a one or two week period, not for continuous use.




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