This simple tea has liver support herbs as a base, and tasty herbs that make detox easy, one sip at a time. The tea is best simmered gently, rather than infused.
Arctium (Burdock) – Burdock is known as one of the best cleansers in all of herbal medicine. It is especially helpful in treating chronic skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, boils, psoriasis, and cysts.
Rumex (Yellow dock) – Yellow dock has a long history of use for stimulating liver function, for cleansing the blood, and for helping with chronic skin problems such as boils, acne, dry, scaly eczema, and psoriasis.
Taraxicum (Dandelion) – Dandelion root and its greens *the whole plant is medicinal) have traditionally been used for millennia for a variety of conditions, including diabetes, cancers, infections, fevers, snakebites, and of course, liver and digestive disorders.
Mahonia (Oregon grape) – The root of Oregon grape has antimicrobial properties and has been used to treat many maladies, including colds, flu, herpes, hepatitis, syphilis, stomach upset, cancer, skin disorders, yeast infections, and more. It is effective in stimulating liver function, treating infections, and supporting digestive health.
Glycyrrhiza (Licorice) – Licorice has been used for many centuries as an agent to soothe, heal, and tonify, particularly in matters of the stomach, and as a cough and respiratory remedy.
Foeniculum (Fennel) – Fennels grow easily and widely and have been used since ancient times for relieving digestive discomfort, to improve appetite, to soothe sore eyes, and as an aid to nursing mothers.
Cinnamomum (Cinnamon) – Cinnamon has traditionally been used for diarrhoea, colic, excess flatulence, nausea, or a slowed and weakened digestion. It is particularly helpful as a warming stimulant in cold weather.
Zingiber (Ginger) – Ginger is one of the world’s best medicines. It has many traditional uses for problems involving the digestive system, such as irritable bowel, diarrhoea, indigestion, and colic. Even though it is spicy, ginger calms an upset stomach and promotes the secretion of the digestive juices. As such it is good for many problems related to poor food absorption.
Citrus aurantium (Orange) – High in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory Vitamin C, oranges offer many health benefits, from protecting cells from free radical damage, helping the body produce collagen (a protein that heals wounds), and boosting the immune system, to slowing the advance of age-related macular degeneration, and lowering blood pressure. It is also a tangy, warming addition to this tea.
CAUTION: If you have high blood pressure, omit the Licorice from the recipe.
(Herbal information via www.rjwhelan.co.nz.)
Dr. Sarah Sjovold grew up in a family that valued the use of natural medicines. Thanks to this early exposure, and after receiving both alternative and conventional medicine for a chronic illness, Dr. Sjovold developed a deep appreciation for the art of healing.