Detoxification

Best Cleansing Herbs for Health and Wellbeing

June 18, 2022

Cleansing has become very popular in recent years, and for a good reason, as there are many toxins that we are exposed to today. Unfortunately, these toxins can build up in our bodies and eventually cause us ill-health. While cleansing can have many benefits, it's essential to cleanse correctly, or it could cause potential health issues.

Many people undergo trendy cleanses only to develop worse health issues than they had before. This is due to a die-off reaction known as a herx reaction. Many people also get so focused on cleansing and detoxing that they overlook the importance of meeting their daily nutritional needs. Doing a cleanse can be great, but ensure to nourish yourself before, during, and after your cleanse; take a look at our Candida Cleanse Diet for an example of a cleansing but nourishing diet. It is also essential to stick to natural cleanse options that are safe for the body.

When it comes to natural and effective tools for cleansing, nothing quite compares to the power of cleansing herbs. Herbs have been the go-to healing medicines for thousands of years. However, there are many different herbs with different uses and effects.

In this article, we want to share some of the best herbs for cleansing and some helpful tips for doing a cleanse safely and effectively.

Why Do We Need to Cleanse?

Before talking about the best herbs for cleansing, let's take a moment to discuss why one might benefit from a cleanse.

Every day we are exposed to numerous microscopic toxins. These toxins can be found in the foods we eat, the water we drink (especially if we drink tap or bottled water), the air we breathe, the products we use, the clothes we wear, the substances we consume, and many other sources. Even things that contain little to no toxins can create toxins in the body if consumed in excess (overeating, for example).

Over time these toxins build up in the body and can begin to impair normal body functions. Toxins in the blood, for example, get distributed to all our organs and tissue and can interfere with the processes these organs carry out.

A cleanse is an opportunity to eliminate these built-up toxins and restore our health.

Many people argue that cleansing is unnecessary because we have systems in the body that already remove toxins from the body, like the liver, kidneys, gut, and lymphatic system. While it is true that these organs eliminate toxins that enter our bodies, they can also get overworked and backed up. When this happens, their functioning is impaired, and they become much less efficient at doing their job. As a result, not all toxins get filtered out, and our health suffers.

Most cleanse programs focus on removing built-up toxins from these organs of elimination and enhancing the health and function of our body's detox pathways. Some of the most common cleanses are:

Cleansing is a complex topic; any good cleanse will include more than just herbs. It will incorporate diet and lifestyle factors as well. In addition, cleansing is a holistic practice, so one should look at their whole life—what toxins might be coming into your life from your diet, habits, media, and even your thoughts?

While physical-chemical toxins are primarily the focus here, it is also good to consider toxic beliefs, emotions, relationships, music, and other mental/emotional toxins that could hurt our health. These things have very real physiological effects on our bodies and are worth considering.

The idea of a cleanse is to remove all toxins from our lives and support our bodies so that we can be toxin-free. An excellent way to think of a cleanse is as a general reset for our health. Not only do we want to cut out and cleanse from the toxins in our lives, but we should also consider how we want to live our lives after our cleanse. The post-cleanse is just as important as the cleanse itself.

If we don't change the things that brought toxins into our lives in the first place, we are likely to just keep reintroducing toxins into our bodies again and again.

However, even the healthiest among us are exposed to toxins regularly in our modern world. So, doing a few cleanses a year can benefit all of us. In many traditional cultures, cleanses are performed at the change of the seasons, especially during the spring, to burn off the winter weight.

How Do Herbs Help Us Cleanse?

Herbs are incredible forces of nature that have many unique benefits and uses. Herbs can help us cleanse in two primary ways:

by directly removing toxins from the body, and
by stimulating the health and function of organs and systems in the body

For example, cilantro is an herb that has chelating properties. This is because it contains compounds that directly bind to heavy metals and remove them from our bodies. Cayenne pepper, on the other hand, is an herb that does not instantly remove toxins but stimulates the circulatory system, which helps to enhance blood flow and allows blood to reach our many organs and tissues—improving their functioning as a result.

What Are the Best Cleansing Herbs?

The herbs that are best for cleansing really depend on what type of cleansing you are doing.

Best Liver Cleansing Herbs

The liver is responsible for more than 500 functions in the body. One of its primary functions is to neutralize the toxins that enter our body so they do not enter the blood and harm our organs. It is the body's primary detox organ, so it is one of the best organs to cleanse regularly. Some of the best herbs for cleansing the liver include:

We've included these incredible liver cleansing herbs in our Liver Detox & Support Tonic.

Best Kidney Cleansing Herbs

The kidneys are also essential detoxification organs. They act as a natural filtration system for the body, removing toxins, waste, and excess water from the blood. Some of the best herbs for cleansing the kidneys include:

We've included these powerful kidney cleansing herbs in our Kidney & Gallbladder Cleanse Tonic. While commonly considered a food and not a medicinal herb, parsley is another excellent herb for supporting the kidneys.

Best Blood Cleansing Herbs

The blood is responsible for delivering nutrients to our organs and tissues. The body works hard to make sure the blood is toxin-free. Still, toxins can make their way into our blood, and it is essential to remove them if they do. Some of the best herbs for cleansing the blood include:

Burdock Root
Neem
Manjistha
Hibiscus
Dandelion
Basil
Amla

Best Colon Cleansing Herbs

The colon stores all the waste material from the food we eat and eliminates it through the rectum. Unfortunately, waste can get backed up in the colon, too, and can even impact the colon wall. It is estimated that the average person has between 5-20 pounds of fecal matter in their colon. This is why regular colon cleansing is essential and has many health benefits. Some of the best herbs for cleansing the colon include:

Cascara Sagrada
Aloe Vera
Slippery Elm
Licorice Root
Turmeric
Dandelion Root

Best Lymphatic Cleansing Herbs

The lymphatic system is your body's sewage system. It removes toxins, waste, and pathogens from your body, protecting you from infections and diseases. When the lymphatic system isn't draining correctly, toxins accumulate. Some of the best herbs for cleansing the lymphatic system include:

Our Lymphatic Detox Tonic is an herbal supplement that may help promote lymphatic drainage, help clear blockages in the lymphatic system, and support the removal of waste and toxins from the body.†

Best Lung Cleansing Herbs

When we breathe in toxins, they damage our respiratory tract and impair our lung health. In a world that is becoming increasingly toxic, the detoxification and protection of our health are more important now than ever. Some of the best herbs for cleansing the lungs include:

We've included these amazing lung cleansing herbs in our Lung Detox & Support Tonic.

Best Heavy Metal Cleansing Herbs

Heavy metal particles can have many damaging effects on our health. Some of the best herbs for cleansing heavy metals include:

While not actually an herb, zeolite is an excellent natural compound that binds to heavy metals and removes them from the body.

Best Parasite Cleansing Herbs

Parasitic infections are among the most widespread infections affecting billions of people worldwide. Most who have a parasite infection are unaware of it. Still, these microscopic creatures can cause many adverse health effects. For this reason, doing a parasite cleanse a few times a year is beneficial. Some of the best herbs for cleansing parasites include:

We've included these potent parasite cleansing herbs in our Parasite Detox Tonic.

Best Candida Cleansing Herbs

Candida infections are persistent fungal infections that, if left untreated, can spread to the bloodstream and cause many negative health issues. Some of the best herbs for cleansing Candida include:

We've included these antifungal Candida cleansing herbs in our Candida Cleanse Tonic.

Additional Tips for Cleansing

Cleansing in today's world is essential for health—especially if you live in a city or populated areas. While we cannot always avoid the toxins we are exposed to, we can cleanse and remove them from our bodies. We can also enhance the health of our detoxification organs so that we are better equipped to fight the toxins we encounter daily.

Here are some additional tips that can support you on any cleanse that you do:

Drink plenty of water
Get plenty of rest
Avoid sources of toxins whenever possible
Buy organic foods whenever possible
Make sure to eat plenty of fiber-rich foods
Exercise regularly
Sauna/sweat daily during your cleanse if possible
Spend time outside
Be kind and easy on yourself, as cleansing can be an emotional experience too

Remember that while cleansing is essential, it is also important to cleanse safely and wisely, this helps us avoid herx reactions. In addition, focusing on nourishing your body and meeting your essential nutrient requirements before and after a cleanse is also necessary. You can significantly improve your health by balancing cleansing and nourishing your body.

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557833/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545177/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507857/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1899/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560624/