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Herbs for Detoxification
Compiled by Susan Anderson
​
Herbal remedies are seeing a rise in popularity. This includes using herbs for detoxification. Many 
people like the idea of using herbs as natural products have minimal side effects. Herbs in fact have 
many therapeutic abilities. The following list explains some western herbs commonly used for 
detoxification and why they work.


Alfalfa
Is a natural diuretic and laxative. It is an excellent source of fiber and provides natural chlorophyll, 
which has deodorizing properties, helping to sweeten the breath and freshen body odors.


Black Walnut Hulls
This herb  works in the bowels. It works against parasites and removes them from the intestines. It also
helps remove fatty material and toxins.


Burdock Root
Skin and blood cleanser, diuretic and diaphoretic, improves liver function, antibacterial and antifungal 
properties. Burdock root and seed (Arctium lappa) is similar to nettle in its cleansing and mild diuretic 
actions, but it is stronger in its effect. Accumulations of heavy metals within the body can be diminished
with the aid of burdock.


Cascara Sagrada
Cascara Sagrada supports healthy bowel function by acting as a mild laxative. This herb can also be 
helpful in the treatment of gallstones and liver ailments. It also increases
secretions of the stomach, liver and pancreas and is a potent cleansing herb.


Capsicum
Also known as cayenne pepper is an alterative, antioxidant, antiseptic, and circulatory stimulant. It is 
rich in vitamin C and helps improve metabolism, thus contributing to weight loss.


Chicory Root
Chicory root (Cichorium intybus) is another gentle cleanser that adds minerals and vitamins to the 
system. It contains calcium, magnesium, and vitamins B and C. The root should be simmered for five 
minutes and then steeped for a further 15 minutes. Fifteen to 30 grams per litre of water are used and 
you can drink one cup before meals (and if you are constipated, two cups in the morning). Chicory is 
an important liver and spleen decongestant, and a gentle laxative. A two-week course of treatment 
should be sufficient. Belgian endive is a modern descendant of wild chicory with the same (but weaker)
medicinal properties, and it can be used in salads with olives.


Dandelion
Dandelion is held in high regard as a detoxifier. According to Jacqueline Krohn in Natural 
Detoxification(Hartley & Marks Publishers, Inc., 1996, Dandelion stimulates the elimination of toxins 
from every cell in the body. It is often used in comprehensive treatments for the liver. Dandelion also 
increases bile production and stimulates its flow to the gallbladder. The polysaccharide insulin found in 
dandelion is said to have white blood cell and immune-boosting properties.


Echinacea
Lymph cleanser, improves lymphocyte and phagocyte actions

Garlic
Garlic is the classic kitchen-pharmacy remedy and has been used for centuries as an antiseptic. It 
detoxifies the gut and helps the bowels function properly. It works like a laxative in making the bowels 
move regularly.


Gentian Root
Is an alterative, antiseptic agent, and cholagogue. It is extremely bitter and works as an excellent 
digestive secretions. It also helps in the breakdown of protein and fats. It even helps improve the 
assimilation of nutrients like iron and vitamin B12. It has a cooling effect upon the body, helping to 
reduce inflammation and infection.


Ginger Root
Stimulates circulation and sweating

Goldenseal
This herb is well known for its cleansing power. It can rid the body of toxins and help to remove 
obstructions


Hibiscus Flower
Is mildly antibacterial and has soothing properties. It is also mildly diuretic and antiparasitic.

Horseradish
Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) improves digestion and assimilation and is a disinfectant for the 
entire respiratory tract. It also works as a lymphatic cleanser. The fresh root is often available in 
supermarkets. Do not allow the fumes when cutting or grating it to come near your eyes because they 
can damage them. A small slice (1/8-inch) of the root can be chewed with a piece of bread or in a 
sandwich or even grated into carrot juice, twice a day.


Horsetail
Also known as shavegrass is considered an alterative, antifungal agent, and diuretic. It is extremely 
rich in trace minerals and improves the healing of bones, flesh, and cartilage.


Licorice Root
Licorice Root is regarded as an important herb for treating kidney ailments and is also recommended 
for the liver and respiratory tract. According to the Townsend Letter for Doctors (December 1994), 
Licorice Root's antioxidant, antiviral, and antibody-stimulating properties make it a liver protectant and 
detoxifier.Planta Medica notes that it may help the liver detoxify powerful chemical poisons. Planta 
Medica (50; 1984)


Marshmallow root
Is an alterative, demulcent, diuretic, mild laxative, nutritive, and rejuvenative. Its high mucilaginous 
content soothes an irritated digestive tract and provides moisture to dry tissues


Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is best known as a liver tonic. The active ingredient is silymarin, which is reputed to repair 
liver damage due to alcohol, drugs (over-the-counter, prescription, and illicit), hepatitis, and exposure 
to toxins. In Germany, physicians are so impressed with the liver-protecting effects of milk thistle that 
they routinely prescribe this herb to patients with liver disorders. Milk thistle also strengthens and 
protects the liver in otherwise healthy people.


Mullein Leaf
Is a demulcent, diuretic, and a vulnerary. It soothes irritated tissues and is especially beneficial for the 
respiratory system.


Oatstraw
Is highly nutritive, rejuvenative, and calming to the nervous system, even helping in exhaustion and 
depression. Oatstraw helps provide minerals to nourish bones, skin, hair, and nails.


Oregon Grape Root
Skin and colon cleanser, blood purifier, liver stimulant

Parsley Leaf  
Diuretic, flushes kidneys


Passionflower Leaf
Is best known for its calming effect on the nervous system. It helps to calm stress and slows the 
breakdown of neurotransmitters. It also helps to calm an irritable bowel.


Psyllium
This herb also works to help move the bowels. Is a lubricating mucilaginous fiber used as a gentle 
bulking and laxative agent. The mucilage in the seeds expands eight to fourteen times the size of the 
original seeds. This can also create a feeling of fullness, decreasing one's desire to overeat. Psyllium 
fiber works as a broom, sweeping the gastrointestinal tract of toxins. Be sure to drink lots of water when 
using psyllium as a cleansing agent!


Pumpkin Seed
Helps the body expel parasites and is also highly nutritive, containing beneficial linolenic acid.

Sarsaparilla Root
Blood and lymph cleanser, contains saponins, which reduce microbes and toxins

Slippery Elm Bark
Is an excellent antiflammatory agent. It is a demulcent, laxative, and nutritive and promotes tissue 
healing, thus soothing irritated tissues of the gastrointestinal tract. It is one of the most digestible 
substances known.


Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is one of the earliest plants to resume growth each spring. At one time 
the young leaves were chopped fine and added to salads as a revitalizing spring remedy. But they are 
more often used as a herbal tea which provides gentle cleansing for the skin and the liver. Nettles not 
only extract toxins from the body but at the same time provide remineralization and vitamins: iron, silica, 
calcium, and vitamin A are abundant. There is also a kidney drainage function to this plant which 
removes uric acid and is used for nephritis.

You can make the tea by pouring boiling water over a few fresh leafy stalks (using gloves of course to 
handle them) or the dried leaves. Use one teaspoon per cup of boiling water. Nettles can be steeped 
overnight to make a stronger infusion and three cups can be drunk each day for two weeks.


Violet Leaf
Is an alterative, antifungal, demulcent, diuretic, and laxative. It is safe and soothing, rich in beta 
carotene and vitamin C.


Yucca Root
Is effective as an alterative and laxative agent. It helps break down organic waste in the body. One of 
its primary uses in folk medicine is to relieve the inflammation associated with arthritis.

It is important to know that the main point of detoxification is removing toxins from the body, usually 
through the bowels. Using herbs is gentler on your system than other methods and you get additional 
benefits from the nutrients that herbs supply.
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