Detox Herbs & Spices- Thursday Herb Day
Herbs and spices are
the primary detox supplements used to cleanse the body of toxins. During
detoxification herbs and spices aid the body’s natural elimination systems. The
body’s natural elimination system includes the liver, urinary system, digestive
system, skin and lungs. Herbs have been used for thousands of years across
cultures to treat various ailments and health conditions. With their long
history, popularity and reported effectiveness, it’s no wonder many people turn
to herbs to aid their body’s innate ability to detoxify.
Your body needs
continuous nutritional support for ongoing detox, so eating a healthy, balanced
diet full of whole, unprocessed foods is a vital step in lightening your toxic
load. As a complement to a wholesome diet and regular exercise, you might
consider incorporating some of these herbs, known for their detoxifying
properties.
Because herbs can
trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, and
medications, you should always consult a health professional before starting an
herbal regimen. Also, the FDA does not regulate nutritional supplements, so
source, strength, and purity of products can vary widely.
Cilantro- Our bodies
are exposed to heavy metals every day via food, water, pharmaceuticals,
manufactured products, pollution and more. When heavy metals accumulate to
reach toxic levels, they can lead to an array of symptoms and chronic
conditions. The chemical compounds in cilantro act as natural cleansing agents,
binding to toxic metals and loosening them for easier transport out of the
body. Known for its unique, can’t-be-mistaken flavor and commonly used in
Mexican cooking, cilantro can be incorporated into all kinds of food—poultry
and fish dishes, salads, salsas, blended smoothies and more. It can easily be
found in grocery stores or nurseries, should you want to add it to your herb
garden.
Dandelion- Dandelion
has traditionally been used as a diuretic, and preliminary research suggests
that it may help improve liver and gallbladder function. Of noteworthy
nutritional value, dandelion is chock full of vitamins A, B6, C, D and K
plus minerals, such as iron, potassium, zinc, and higher levels of beta
carotene than carrots. Virtually no part of the dandelion plant goes to waste
as the root, leaves and flowers are all edible and used for therapeutic
purposes. Try steeping the roots to make dandelion tea, sautéing the flowers as
a side or adding the raw leaves to your favorite salad.
Milk Thistle- The
herb most commonly recommended for supporting liver function is milk thistle.
Its active compound, silymarin, has been clinically proven to stabilize
cellular membranes and stimulate detoxification pathways. It also has
anti-inflammatory effects, and some studies suggest that it may even help the
liver regenerate tissue. Because silymarin is not very water soluble or
absorbed well by the body, most milk thistle products are standardized
preparations containing 70 to 80 percent silymarin.
Red Clover- Red
clover has long been harvested for use in a variety of preparations, including
teas, tinctures, capsules and topical products. The blossoms support liver
function by stimulating bile production and act as an effective diuretic,
helping to cleanse the blood and rid the body of excess fluids. They’re rich in
isoflavones—water-soluble compounds that have estrogen-like effects and improve
circulation, heart health, and menopause symptoms.
Cinnamon- So
wonderful in this cleansing soup! Not all cinnamon is the same, which I
recently found out. Saigon cinnamon (vs. regular cinnamon) has a distinct
flavor, boldly delicious scent and aids in balancing blood sugar levels while
stimulating digestion. It’s also a natural sweetener – add saigon cinnamon
to your smoothie, oatmeal, granola, coffee, baked goods and even soup.
Cayenne Pepper- I
add the tiniest bit of cayenne to many dishes. While it’s optional, I really
love the dose of heat and flavor from cayenne because I don’t have to add as
much salt when there is enough spiciness. Not a ton of spiciness, just enough
for noticeable flavor. Cayenne pepper is known to rev up your metabolism and
helps with congestion. Goodbye stuffy nose!
Fennel Seed- Fennel
seed offers a zesty licorice flavor and is a good source of folate, potassium
and anethole, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory benefits. Because fennel
seed is also a rich source of fiber and it has mild diuretic properties,
consumption may help boost detoxification.
Ginger- In addition
to easing an upset stomach, ginger contains anti-inflammatory compounds called
gingerols and shogaols that encourage healthy digestion and speed
detoxification by moving food through the intestines. This reduces the build-up
of impurities in the colon, liver and other bodily organs. Ginger is also
thought to trigger detoxifying perspiration, boost circulation and prevent
blood clots.
Parsley - Parsley is
no longer just an attractive restaurant garnish. This healthy, immune-boosting
herb is rich in chlorophyll, which offers powerful anti-inflammatory potential.
Due to its diuretic and detoxifying properties, parsley may also help boost
kidney and bladder health. This herb makes a great ingredient in soups, salads
or green smoothies.
Turmeric- Frequently
used in Thai and Indian cuisine, this rich, amber-colored spice is chock full
of antioxidants and offers potent anti-inflammatory properties. Regular
consumption of turmeric is said to boost circulation, help prevent blood clots,
and enhance the production of bile in the liver.
Burdock Root
–Burdock root contains polyacetylene, an organic compound believed to give
burdock root its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Burdock root is a
detox herb used to support and clean the liver and gall bladder, and to treat a
variety skin diseases such as abscesses, acne, carbuncles, psoriasis and
eczema, through increasing circulation to the skin where the compounds in the
root help to detoxify the epidermal tissues.
Burdock root’s
inulin compound supports probiotic growth in the colon, and studies have
confirmed that burdock root is a natural herbal cleanse detox. In studies,
animals exposed to toxic chemicals and treated with burdock root tea showed it
protected against cellular damage and abnormal growths, and reduced liver
damage from toxic chemicals.
Rosemary-
Traditionally used for its ability to help with gastrointestinal complaints,
rosemary is also a fantastic detoxifier. Studies have been done in India
uncovering how supplementing with rosemary greatly enhances your body’s bile
flow (which is essential for fat metabolism and detoxification) and reduces
plasma liver enzymes (which has been linked to type II diabetes).
Essentially, by
helping enhance the performance of the bile-producing gallbladder (as well as
balancing out the microflora in your gut) proper peristaltic activity is
promoted, which boosting nutrient absorption and helps reverse/prevent toxic
overload.
Elderberry is a
detox herb because it removes mucus in the body. Excess mucus and a high acidic
pH level support disease in the body. Traditionally, elderberries have been
used to fight the flu and colds and now scientific research has indicated that
its antiviral and antioxidants properties are the reason for its effectiveness.
Research has shown that elderberry was effective against flu infections like
H1N1 by binding to the virus and blocking it from entering host cells.
For a great way to
reap the detoxifying benefits of all these warming herbs and spices is by
creating a blend of your favorites. You can make a tea or elixir with the
herbal blends. Add the blend of spices to your favorite dishes, dressings. Just
before cooking is complete. This mixture of spices tastes particularly
delicious in crockpot dishes, stir-fries and soups. These herbs can also be
taken in the form of supplements available at your local whole foods grocery or
through supplement websites online
Thanks for reading.
Comments
Post a Comment