Turmeric 

Properties: 

Antioxidant

Anti-inflammatory

Antidepressant

Liver Stimulant 

Anticoagulant

Cardioprotective

Turmeric is well known for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects, but new research seems to support the notion that it also aids the liver in detoxification. A study looking at levels of mercury, a known toxic heavy metal, in rats, showed that those treated with turmeric had a reduction in mercury concentration in their tissues, supporting the idea that turmeric helped the liver to filter and remove mercury. Furthermore, a similar study looking at a the effects of alcohol-induced liver damage showed that those treated with turmeric showed almost no pathological effects of alcohol, a known oxidative stressor, on the liver. 

Cinnamon 

Properties: 

Astringent

Carminative

Hemostatic

Antibacterial 

Hypoglycemic 

Antioxidant

Anti-inflammatory

Immunomodulatory

Anti-estrogenic

The process of detoxification, while essential, creates problematic byproducts that result in oxidative damage to our body. Enter cinnamon, a powerful antioxidant shown to have the second highest antioxidant content of 26 different herbs and spices assessed. Cinnamon can help to squash these oxidative molecules before any damage is done. Furthermore, cinnamon is also know to reduced blood sugar through helping insulin to move glucose into cells. Because elevated blood sugar over time can impair our main detox organ, the liver, anything we can do to unburden our liver’s ability to detoxify will support our overall health and vitality.

Rooibos 

Properties: 

• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antispasmodic
• Relaxant
• Diuretic
• Immune Modulating

Rooibos, or red tea, is rich in minerals and as such, rooibos acts as a diuretic, aiding in the elimination of excess fluid as in the case of fluid retention or swelling. Rooibos is also an excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and has been shown to enhance the activity of glutathione-S transferase (essential in the production of our body’s most powerful antioxidant, glutathione). Glutathione is readily used up through phase II detoxification in our liver, the process by which metabolized toxins are removed from the body. If our body is not able to properly perform phase II detoxification, we are left with a build up of toxic metabolites that can cause our body harm. All the more reason to pour yourself a cup of our delicious Detox Tea!

Dandelion 

Properties: 

• Hypoglycemic
• Galactagogue
• Hepatoprotective
• Diuretic
• Laxative
• Bitter

Dandelion is widely used in herbal medicine for its diuretic, laxative, and liver-supporting activities—all essential in times of detox. Dandelion has been shown to decrease enzymes and other molecules associated with liver damage in the face of organ insult. Furthermore, as a diuretic, dandelion helps us to excrete excess water, possibly due to its potassium content. This can be especially useful when our diet has steered towards processed foods or we’ve been inactive, causing water retention. Finally, as we excrete many toxins and excess hormones via our digestive tract, having regular elimination is essential. Dandelion can help support this through sesquiterpene lactones, bitter constituents that stimulate our digestive tract and also offer anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. 

Ginger 

Properties: 

Carminative

Diaphoretic

Antipyretic

Antiinflammatory

Antimicrobial

Antispasmodic

Ginger is an obvious herb to add to any detoxification regimen for its role in supporting digestion, circulation and sweating—essential processes to eliminating unwanted byproducts from the body. Ginger has been shown to increase bile secretion and increase the activity of digestive enzymes, helping in the breakdown and assimilation of macronutrients as well as the removal of waste from the body. Ginger is warming and in great quantities can cause sweating. In lesser quantities, it can cause vasodilation and support the circulatory system encouraging the movement of oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues and the removal of waste products for elimination, essential in any detox.  

Blue Cornflower 

Properties: 

Antipyruetic

Antioxidant

Cornflower, a beautiful blue flower, has a high antioxidant potential countering reactive oxygen species, again formed through the detoxification process. It has been used to treat constipation and water retention, essential actions for any detox, and is a liver and gallbladder stimulant, helping with effective digestion. Blue cornflower contains minerals, vitamin C and naturally occurring folic acid, all of which support phase I and phase II detoxification in the liver, the two main physiological processes by which we neutralize and eliminate toxins. And they are beautiful to boot!