Herbs to Detox the Body

Over time, exposure to environmental pollutants and chemicals may interfere with the body's ability to naturally detoxify its tissues. Combining a diet rich in green leafy vegetables, fruits, and water with herbs that gently purify the liver and bloodstream is an excellent and cost-effective way to jump-start any body detox regimen.

Red Clover

• Abundant in flavonoids and isoflavonoids, red clover can potentially treat, as well as prevent, many disorders. This powerful herb cleanses the blood and liver when used as part of an overall body detox program. The detox effects of red clover will also be experienced when the herb is used individually, although those effects may be more gradual. The detoxing action of red clover removes toxins from the body that have not yet been flushed away from the liver and bloodstream, making this herb ideal as a final phase of detox. To use red clover to detox the body, begin by eliminating all foods except fruits and vegetables from the diet for seven days. Green smoothies containing wheat-germ grass, spinach, and fruit are encouraged during the fast. Steep one to two teaspoons of organic, dried red clover leaves in six to eight ounces of water for 10 minutes. Drink three cups of the tea a day to detox the liver. Nausea may occur with the purging of toxins, so ginger-root tea or capsules can be taken to ease digestive upset.

Burdock

• Burdock is probably most associated with the treatment of cancers and autoimmune arthritic disorders, but this herb has a very long and documented history as a general body conditioner. In Chinese medicine, burdock was used as a hormone balancer, antibacterial, and blood purifier. Burdock has a mild diuretic effect, which makes it useful in liver, kidney, and blood detoxification. Burdock root can be found in capsule, tea, and powder forms in most health food stores. A powerful yet gentle liver-cleansing cocktail tea can be made by steeping one teaspoon each of burdock root, turmeric, barberry, and red clover in four cups of boiling water for 10 minutes. The liver-cleansing cocktail may be refrigerated and consumed three to four times a day.

Stoneroot

• Stoneroot, related to the mint family, has diuretic and diaphoretic properties that allow it to promote toxin excretion through urination and perspiration. Stoneroot supports venous elasticity and cleanses the blood. This powerful herb contains expectorant and mucolytic properties, which may promote clearing of sinus and chest congestion and inflammation, making it particularly useful in detoxifying the respiratory system. Stoneroot is most inexpensively found in capsule form at most health food stores. Brew stoneroot tea at home by steeping one teaspoon of the organic, dried herb in a cup of boiling water for five minutes. Drink the tea twice a day as part of an overall body detox.