Should I drink detox tea?

If you’re on Instagram, you’ve no doubt scrolled through your fair share of girls with envy-inducing bods promoting detox tea. They claim the hot cuppa gets rid of bloating, cleanses the system and sets them on the path to health… so naturally, we went searching for all the important information you need to know. Vladia Cobrdova, Chief Operations Officer and Wellness Ambassador for About Life, who also happens to be a qualified nutritionist, shares all the answers below.

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What are the benefits?

 

A photo posted by SkinnyMe Tea | Beat The Bloat (@smtofficial) on

Mar 21, 2016 at 2:31am PDT

Detox teas are a great way to cleanse the body. You may not wake up looking as slim, toned and radiant as the girls on Instagram (remember, there are filters for that!) but you will feel refreshed, re-energised and healthier. Plus the process of brewing and drinking the tea gives you a chance to take some time out and relax.

What are the key ingredients?

Detox teas are simply herbal teas, with a specific combination of herbs that work to cleanse the body and aid digestion. Vladia notes, “Dandelion is a great detox herb as it cleanses the liver and eliminates toxins from your body. Milk thistle is also a great liver cleanser.” Some other common ingredients include pau d’arco (for its antifungal benefits), nettle (for the skin), chamomile, calendula, fennel and peppermint (for aiding digestion). 

How often should you detox?

“I believe we should detox seasonally. It’s a great opportunity to re-energise our bodies”, says Vladia. As we’ve just moved into autumn (and probably indulged in a little too much chocolate over Easter), there’s no time like the present to start. Combine detox tea with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise, and reap the benefits. 

While detoxing is a great way to kickstart the body, Vladia advises not to underestimate the importance of having a regular healthy routine. “My beloved mantra is all about being consistent – consistency gets you the results so it’s important to be balanced throughout the year rather than being on a detox once a year,” she explains. 

Our verdict:

Detox tea is a great way to cleanse the body, relax the mind and get your health routine sorted (or even started). But you must also eat well, exercise regularly and practice self-care for optimal health and wellbeing.

Other nifty tips:

If you enjoy sweet and zesty flavours in your tea, Vladia recommends adding “lemon to alkalise the body and manuka honey for gut health.

“It also makes for a delicious iced tea – brew it and add some fresh herbs such as mint [and] fresh fruit, and your flavoured water bottle is done.”

Teas we recommend:

About Life have their own range of detox teas, based on herbs such as nettle and milk thistle. 

SkinnyMe Detox Program is a four-week ‘teatox’ program, which comes with a range of tips and tricks from a team of nutritionists, naturopaths and personal trainers. 

T2 Tea also have a detox tea blend to help cleanse the body, which has a lemongrass and minty flavour. 

Have you tried detox tea before? What’s your experience with it?