8 Healthy Herbal Detox Teas for Your Glowing Skin and Gut Cleansing

Factors That Affect Your Skin Health

Some of the factors you must remember when using herbal teas for glowing skin are as follows.

Skin Type 

According to your genetics or Prakriti (body type as per Ayurveda), your skin type significantly influences your skin health. The herbal tea you choose must be able to align with your body changes that can reflect on your skin. Also, you must use them to cleanse the lymphatic system, as this system helps remove built-up toxins.

Hormones

Hormonal changes are one of the most dangerous causes of skin changes. Hormonal fluctuations arise during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Stress and sleep issues are common causes of hormonal skin changes. So your herbal tea must attend to these, too.

Medical Conditions

Your health conditions also determine what type of skin you will have. Autoimmune conditions, diabetes, and thyroid issues are the most common health-related issues that can alter your skin health. So, if you have any medical condition, your herbal tea recipe must contain something that can positively affect these. 

Besides the above factors, lifestyle factors such as sun exposure, diet, smoking, alcohol, exposure to harsh chemicals, pollution, and climate change also change your skin. So, you must alter your diet and lifestyle to get the best results with your herbal teas!

8 Gut-Cleansing Herbal Teas for Glowing Skin & Nourished Hair 

Let's dig into the all-natural detox teas for beautiful glowing skin!

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is a flowering herb. It has been used for centuries to promote relaxation and sleep.

The property that influences your skin health in a chamomile is its anti-inflammatory properties.

It also helps to soothe the digestive tract, thus preventing acidity that can affect your skin health. It is one of the best herbal teas for digestive problems.

Ingredients

• Dried chamomile flowers: 1-2 tablespoons (depending on how strong you like your tea)
• 1 Cup of Water

Optional

• Honey or other sweetener to taste
• Lemon slices
• Mint leaves

How to Prepare?

• Bring the water to a boil in a kettle or saucepan on the stovetop.
• Once boiling, remove the water from heat and pour it into a mug or teapot. Add the dried chamomile flowers.
• Cover the mug or teapot and let the chamomile steep for 5-10 minutes. The longer you steep, the stronger the tea will be.
• If you don't like loose herbs in your tea, strain the chamomile flowers out using a strainer or tea infuser.

Add honey, lemon, or mint leaves to taste, if desired.

Tips

• You can use fresh chamomile flowers instead of dried ones, but you'll need about 2-3 times the amount.
• If you don't have a teapot or infuser, you can place the chamomile flowers in your mug and fish them out after steeping.
• Chamomile tea is best enjoyed hot, but you can also drink it iced. 
• Chamomile tea is generally safe for most people to drink but can interact with certain medications. Otherwise, chamomile tea is for gut health.

Peppermint Tea

This classic tea is well-known for its ability to soothe an upset stomach. Peppermint oil relaxes the muscles in your digestive tract, which can help relieve gas, bloating, and indigestion. Peppermint tea is best for leaky gut and may help improve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. Peppermint tea also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

All these benefits have a significant effect on your gut-skin axis!

Ingredients

• Dried peppermint leaves: 1-2 teaspoons (depending on desired strength)
• Hot water: 1 cup (around 200°F or 93°C)

Optional

• Honey or other sweetener to taste (to be added in the end after the tea cools down to room temperature)
• Lemon slices

How to Prepare?

• Bring water to a boil in a kettle or saucepan on the stovetop. If you don't have a thermometer, heat the water until it begins to simmer and tiny bubbles appear. Then, please remove it from the heat.
• Pour the hot water into your mug or teapot. Add the dried peppermint leaves.
• Cover your mug or teapot with a lid or saucer to trap the heat and essential oils. Let the tea steep for 5-10 minutes. The longer you steep, the stronger the mint flavour will be.
• If you prefer a smoother tea, strain out the peppermint leaves using a strainer or tea infuser.

Tips

• You can use fresh peppermint leaves instead of dried ones, but you'll need about 2-3 times the amount. Fresh leaves have a milder flavour than dried leaves, so you may need to adjust the steeping time accordingly.
• For a more intense peppermint experience, you can crush the dried leaves slightly before steeping.
• Peppermint tea is generally safe for most people to drink in moderation. However, if you have heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), it may worsen symptoms. So, consult your healthcare provider before consuming this or any organic detox herbal tea.

Turmeric Tea

Turmeric, filled with curcumin as an active compound,  is a spice known for its anti-inflammatory properties.  It is helpful for conditions like eczema and psoriasis, which involve skin inflammation. It also helps improve gut health by reducing inflammation in the digestive tract. 

Turmeric contains antioxidants that help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. It may reduce signs of ageing like wrinkles and fine lines. Some studies suggest turmeric may help reduce hyperpigmentation evening out skin tone.

There are two methods of preparing natural liver detox tea. 

Turmeric Tea: Basic Method

Ingredients

• 1 Cup water
• ½ Teaspoon ground turmeric (or 1-inch fresh turmeric root, grated)
• Honey or other sweetener to taste (Optional)
• A Pinch of black pepper (Optional)

Instructions

• Heat the water in a saucepan or kettle until boiling.
• Add the turmeric (powdered or grated fresh) to the hot water.
• If using fresh turmeric, simmer for 5-10 minutes. If using ground turmeric, stir and remove it from the heat.
• Cover the pan and let it steep for 3-5 minutes.
• Strain the tea into a mug using a strainer or cheesecloth (especially if using fresh turmeric).
• Add honey, black pepper, or other desired flavourings (optional). Adding these will make this the best herbal tea for lung detox.

Turmeric Tea: For Enhanced Absorption

Ingredients

• 1 Cup water
• ½ Teaspoon ground turmeric
• Pinch of black pepper
• One teaspoon of healthy fat (coconut oil, ghee, or olive oil)
• Honey or other sweetener to taste (Optional)

Instructions

• Heat the water in a saucepan or kettle until boiling.
• Add the turmeric and black pepper to the hot water.
• Reduce heat and simmer for a minute or two.
• Add the chosen healthy fat and stir well to combine.
• Cover the pan and let it steep for 3-5 minutes.
• Strain the tea into a mug.
• Add honey or other desired flavourings (optional).
• Enjoy your turmeric tea!

Tips

• Fresh turmeric may impart a more robust, earthy flavour than ground turmeric. Adjust the amount to your preference.
• Black pepper contains piperine, which can significantly increase curcumin absorption by up to 2,000%.
• Healthy fats like coconut, ghee, or olive oil can also aid curcumin absorption.

Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus has prebiotic properties. Prebiotics nourish your gut bacteria, enhancing the nutrient absorption required for skin health.

Hibiscus is also rich in Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that can help control damage to your skin. You can add this hibiscus tea cleanse to your daily diet list.

Ingredients

• 1-2 tablespoons dried hibiscus flowers
• 1 cup water
• Honey or other sweetener (optional)
• Lemon or lime juice (optional)

Instructions

• Heat the water in a saucepan or kettle until boiling.
• Add the dried hibiscus flowers to the hot water.
• Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for 5-10 minutes. The longer you steep, the stronger the tea will be.
• Strain the tea into a mug using a strainer or cheesecloth.
• Add honey, lemon juice, or other desired flavourings (optional).

Tips

• You can adjust the amount of hibiscus flowers depending on your desired strength.
• Hibiscus tea can be tart, so adding honey, lemon juice, or other sweeteners is a common preference.
• For a more vibrant red colour, use hibiscus flowers that stand unexposed to sunlight for long periods.
• Dried hibiscus tea bags are also available if you prefer a more convenient option.
• You can store hibiscus tea in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Dandelion Tea

Dandelion root is a natural diuretic that can help eliminate toxins from the body. It also has prebiotic properties that can help promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut. Dandelion root tea may also help improve liver function.

With this liver cleansing property, this tea helps reduce the toxin buildup in the skin. 

Additionally, dandelion has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of compounds such as chicoric acid and taraxasterol.

You can prepare this detox dandelion tea blend using two methods.

Dandelion Flower Tea

Ingredients

• 2 cups dandelion flowers (rinsed and patted dry)
• 1 cup boiling water
• Honey or other sweetener (optional)

How to Prepare?

• Rinse the dandelion flowers thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. Pat them dry with a clean paper towel.
• Place the flowers in a mug or teapot.
• Pour boiling water over the flowers.
• Cover and let steep for 10-20 minutes, depending on desired strength. The longer you steep, the stronger the tea will be.
• Strain the tea into a mug using a strainer or cheesecloth.
• Add honey or other sweetener to taste (optional).

Dandelion Root Detox Tea

Ingredients

• 1-2 Teaspoons dried dandelion root (or 1-inch piece of fresh dandelion root, chopped)
• 1 Cup of water
• Honey or other sweetener (optional)

How to Prepare?

• If using dried dandelion root, add it to a mug or teapot.
• If using fresh dandelion root, chop it into small pieces and add it to your mug or teapot.
• Heat the water to boiling in a kettle or saucepan.
• Pour the boiling water over the dandelion root.
• Cover and let steep for 10-15 minutes.
• Strain the tea into a mug using a strainer or cheesecloth.
• Add honey or other sweetener to taste (optional).

Tips

• You can roast dandelion root for a deeper, richer flavour. To roast dandelion root, chop the fresh root into small pieces and spread them on a baking sheet. Roast in a preheated oven at 200°F (93°C) for 30-40 minutes or until dry and golden brown.
• You can enjoy dandelion tea hot or iced. For iced tea, brew as usual, then let it cool completely before pouring it over ice.
• Dandelion tea is generally safe for most people to consume in moderation. 

Tulsi Tea

Tulsi, or holy basil, is one of the herbs Ayurveda experts use the most. Tulsi has a natural astringent taste that helps tighten pores and reduce excess oil production. It also has potent anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help heal acne. Along with this, tulsi helps relieve constipation and reduces indigestion, thus acting as a good detox.

Ingredients

• Tulsi leaves (fresh or dried)
• Water
• Honey or lemon (optional)

How to Prepare?

• Bring water to a boil in a saucepan or pot.
• If using fresh leaves, wash them gently and add 10-15 leaves to the boiling water. If using dried leaves, add 1-2 teaspoons.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes. You can adjust the steeping time based on your desired strength. For a stronger tea, steep for a longer time.
• Turn off the heat and strain the tea into a cup. You can discard the used tulsi leaves.
• If desired, add a touch of honey or lemon juice to taste.

Tips

• Avoid boiling the water after adding the leaves for too long to preserve the volatile oils in the tulsi.
• You can also make more tulsi tea using a teapot and straining it into multiple cups.
• You can enjoy Tulsi tea hot or cold.

Shatavari Tea

Shatavari is Asparagus Racemosus, an essential ayurvedic herb for women's health. Shatavari has an innate property that aids in balancing female hormones, calming sleep and relaxing the whole body.

Compounds called saponins in Shatavari help reduce free radical damage in the skin, thus preventing wrinkles and collagen breakdown. It will give you a clearer skin.

Ingredients

• One heaped teaspoon of dried shatavari root (powdered or chopped)
• 1 Cup of boiling water
• Honey or lemon (optional, for taste)

How to Prepare?

• If using whole or chopped shatavari root, you can grind it into a powder using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder for better infusion.
• Place the measured shatavari root (powdered or chopped) in a mug or teapot. Pour the boiling water over it.
• Cover the mug or teapot and let the tea steep for 5-10 minutes. Steeping longer can result in a stronger, more bitter tea.
• Strain the tea into your cup using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Discard the used shatavari root.
• Add a touch of honey or lemon juice to improve the taste.

Tips

• To preserve the shatavari's potential benefits, avoid boiling the water for an extended period after adding the root.
• You can make a larger batch by straining a pot into multiple cups.
• You can enjoy Shatavari tea hot or cold.

Aloe Vera-Ginger Tea

Aloe vera has an excellent anti-inflammatory property that helps soothe irritated skin. Ginger aids in digestion and gut detoxification. Adding ginger makes this tea the best tea for digestion. The said combination helps naturally remove toxins from the body through the liver, kidney, and intestines.

Ingredients

• 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated (adjust for spice preference)
• 1 Tablespoon fresh aloe vera gel (inner leaf) or one teaspoon store-bought aloe vera juice (100% pure, no flavours)
• 1 Cup of water
• Honey or lemon (optional, for taste)

Instructions

• Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan or pot.
• Reduce heat and simmer the grated ginger for 5 minutes. The process allows the ginger's flavours and potential benefits to infuse into the water.
• After simmering the ginger, turn off the heat and add the fresh aloe vera gel. Stir well to combine.
• Wait until the tea cools slightly before adding the aloe vera juice. Doing so helps preserve its potential benefits.
• Cover the pot and let the tea steep for an additional 5 minutes. Doing so allows the aloe vera to infuse further and the flavours to meld.
• Strain the tea into a mug using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
• Add a touch of honey or lemon juice to improve the taste. Honey can balance the bitterness of aloe vera, while lemon adds a refreshing twist.

Tips

• Start with less aloe vera, mainly if used for the first time. You can gradually increase the amount based on your preference and tolerance.
• Consider the aloe vera content as a laxative. Excessive consumption can have the opposite effect of constipation relief.
• Enjoy your aloe vera ginger tea hot or iced.

Note: Add honey to your herbal tea only after the tea has cooled down to room temperature.

The Final Thoughts

Adding herbal teas to your daily routine is a delicious way to support your skin health through the gut. Always remember that these teas work alongside a balanced diet, adequate sleep and optimum hydration.

Consult your healthcare provider for the best tea according to your health requirements.