Milk Thistle Tea
Part of a Detox Diet
If you look at the ingredient list of any detoxification program or product that is on the market today, chances are that you will see milk thistle listed in the ingredients list. This is because there are very few herbs that are as effective in protecting the liver, and encouraging it to self-cleanse. Drinking milk thistle tea will help your liver to rid itself of any toxins that have built up over time, including medications, metals, pesticides, drugs, alcohol, and other potentially harmful substances. Although the liver is built to do this on its own, and help protect the rest of the body, over time the damage can build.
With gentle herbal remedies like milk thistle tea, you can give your liver and the rest of your digestive system that extra boost it needs to help get back in working order, and prevent symptoms of liver disorders. Cirrhosis, jaundice, and hepatitis are all signs that the liver has become compromised in its function. Milk thistle has been shown in studies to help fight the symptoms that are associated with these diseases, and restore liver function through cleansing and detoxification. For anyone who is under environmental stress, or who uses alcohol and drugs, this can be a lifesaver.
One of the other main benefits of drinking milk thistle tea is that it helps regulate the rest of the digestive system. Acting as a mild laxative, it can increase movement in the intestinal tract, in turn helping to lubricate and motivate bowel movements and promote regularity. This also helps fit into the theme of overall detoxification, since if there is any built-up waste material within the intestines, it will be removed through natural bowel movements and help leave you feeling lighter, with less work for the digestive system to take care of.
In order to prepare milk thistle tea, you can use prepared teabags for the simplest solution. These can be steeped in hot or boiling water for at least five minutes, and then sipped several times a day. It's important not to take this tea for more than two or three weeks at a time without consulting your healthcare professional first, because of the laxative effect. Ongoing use of laxatives can lead to dehydration, or an overreliance on them, making it difficult for the bowels to operate under normal circumstances without their aid. However, as a pick me up for the whole body, especially the liver, this tea is ideal for short term use.