We could all do with detoxifying our bodies after the mass of indulgences enjoyed over Christmas and the New Year (could anyone be blamed for not being able to resist Sam's mouth watering home-made mini mince pies and quiches!) Well we've got six herbal remedies to help you cleanse your system of the sweets and the bubbly!Milk Thistle is a great liver tonic and especially good for nursing hangovers. It contains silymarin which has quite the unique function of being able to work directly on liver cells. The liver is one of the most important organs for eliminating toxins in the body and milk thistle has a kind of protective effect, stimulating and regenerating the cells of the liver.
Frangula helps in the detox process as it contains hydroxyanthracene glycosides and bitter principles, which have a stimulating effect in the digestive tract. Frangula is a good remedy for constipation, bloating and flatulence.
Calendula (or marigold) aids the detoxification mechanisms of the lymphatic system. The golden flower helps to increase the flow of bile and is particularly useful in instances where a lymph node has become sluggish.
Kelp is a variety of seaweed that is rich in iodine. Iodine plays an important role in regulating thyroid hormones and therefore the body's metabolism. Increasing iodine by eating kelp can increase the rate of the metabolism which helps the body to process toxins more quickly.
Solidago is an ancient medicinal kidney tonic. A natural diuretic it is good for fluid retention and strengthening kidney function. Its anti-inflammatory components also make it useful for relieving the pain of kidney stones or when the kidney is infected. The kidney is an important player in the body's detoxification system.
Urtica has a high flavonoid content that helps to increase the excretion of waste from the body. This cleansing action can also help gout, arthritis and eczema.
