Fitness instructors are not only gold mines for diet and exercise advice, but they’re also a great resource for health and wellness tips. Take Barry’s Bootcamp master trainer Patrick Frost, for just one example. “There’s a tea I make allllllllllll the time when I’m feeling run-down,” he told us. “I put a lot of ginger in a teapot along with about one-fourth…
Wellness experts share DIY detox teas and detox waters ideas
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Beauty Detox Tea
"Every single ingredient used to make this tea has its own impressive list of how it promotes beauty from the inside out. With that, it’s no surprise that when combined, the result is a recipe for a clear complexion and a youthful glow. The ginger, cacao and cinnamon are all rich in antioxidant properties, preventing free radical damage and protecting against aging. Peppermint helps to keep troubled skin at bay with its cooling properties known to soothe irritation and the menthol working to treat overly oily skin. These ingredients also improve blood circulation to the skin and scalp, evening out skin tone, smoothing the appearance of cellulite and even promoting longer, healthier hair," explains Lorna Jane Clarkson, founder and chief creative officer of Lorna Jane.
- 7 cups water
- 1 teaspoon cacao nibs
- 1 teaspoon desiccated coconut
- 1 heaped tablespoon chopped raisins
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon organic dried ginger
- 1/2 cup raw organic honey
- 2 tablespoons loose peppermint tea leaves
- 1 tablespoon organic dried rose petals
Place all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to boil. Simmer for 3 minutes. Set aside for 2 minutes to infuse. Strain into a teapot or heatproof jug and garnish. Serves 4.
(Scroll down to watch our how-to video below.)
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Ginger Root Turmeric Tea
"This tea is anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, relaxing and mood-boosting all at once. Drink this tea in the morning for a fresh, caffeine-free wake-up call or drink at night after your last meal to help you rest and digest," says Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, CDN and founder of Real Nutrition NYC.
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, minced
- 2 teaspoons of ground turmeric (or 1 inch fresh, minced)
- 1 thin slice of lemon
- Dash of cayenne pepper
- Cinnamon stick and/or a drop of honey (optional)
In a small pot, bring water to boil. Add in minced ginger, turmeric and cayenne pepper. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes on low heat. In your tea mug, add apple cider vinegar, lemon slice and optional cinnamon stick and/or honey. Once steeped, strain and pour water into tea mug. Serves 1.
(Scroll down to watch our how-to video below.)
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Fat Burning Detox Drink
"The central ingredient in this detox drink is apple cider vinegar. It smooths the skin, treats acne problems and other complexion issues. Apples contain fiber, which helps you feel full longer because it expands in your stomach, so it takes less food to satisfy your hunger. Also in that drink, I use cinnamon, which speeds up metabolism, regulates blood sugar and helps prevent cravings. Cinnamon imitates the activity of insulin and increases the metabolism of glucose. Since high blood sugar levels can lead to increased storage of fat, it actually helps prevent this and helps you lose weight. Cinnamon is also rich in manganese, iron, calcium and fiber. The lemons contain pectin, a soluble fiber that has been shown to help with weight loss. Lemon juice also helps get rid of the toxins in your body. After drinking, I recommend eating the apples!" says Inna Waissenberg, personal trainer and healthy lifestyle coach.
- 500 milliliters water
- 4 tablespoons organic apple cider vinegar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- Half of an apple (sliced)
Put all of the ingredients (besides the apple) in a bottle and shake for about 20 seconds. Add slices of apple. Drink and then eat the apple slices!
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Pine Needle Tea
"Hunters, settlers and indigenous people around the world have made tea from pine needles for centuries and — according to legend — it even has healing powers. One cup of pine needle tea contains up to five times the amount of vitamin C in a lemon, which makes it a potent antioxidant and an immune system booster. It is also reported to have decongestant properties. When you collect the needles for the tea, pick the young, light green ones at the tips of the branches. White pine is a great choice. Avoid ponderosa, lodgepole and Monterey pine tree needles, which are highly toxic. You can recognize white pine by its longer, softer needles," explains Ilona Oppenheim, author of Savor.
- 1 cup 1/2-inch-long chopped white pine needles, sheaths at base of needles removed
- Juice of 1 lemon (optional)
- Raw honey (optional)
Fill a teakettle with 1 quart water and bring to a boil. When the water boils, remove it from the heat and add the pine needles. Let steep for 20 minutes. Strain the tea, discard the pine needles and serve hot. Add lemon juice and honey to taste, if you’d like. Makes 1 quart.
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Tea for Clear Eyes
"This infusion is great for treating red, irritated eyes or puffiness," swears Neka Pasquale, founder of Urban Remedy.
- 2 cups filtered water
- 1/4 cup dried goji berries
- Leaves from 1/2 bunch fresh peppermint
- Liquid stevia
In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Immediately remove from the heat, add the goji berries and mint and let steep for 10 minutes. Pour into a large mug and sweeten with stevia to taste. Serves 1.
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Detox Me NAO! Tea
"Dandelion is a liver detoxifier and diuretic. Roses boost your immune system, have tremendous anti-aging properties, melt fat and are very calming. Stinging nettle is a vitamin- and nutrient-rich powerhouse and helps to eliminate waste from the kidneys and ginger stimulates digestion, improves circulation and is a wonderful anti-inflammatory," says Nikki Ostrower, holistic nutritionist.
- 1 tablespoon rose buds
- 1 tablespoon dandelion root
- 1 tablespoon stinging nettle
- 3 thin slices of ginger root
- Loose tea bag
In a tea bag, add the loose herbs. Boil water in a big mug. Take a piece of fresh ginger root, peel the skin off and then thinly slice it. Add the herb-filled tea bag and ginger slices to the hot water and let steep for 15 minutes. Sip and let it work its magic. Serves 1.
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Detox Tea
"Water is one of the most important parts of a healthy diet, so keep it interesting! Mix things up by adding lemon and limes to boost your immune system, cucumbers for anti-inflammatory purposes and mint to aid in digestion," says Heather Bauer, RD, CDN.
- 8 ounces water
- A few slices of lemon and lime (boost immune system)
- A few slices of cucumber (anti-inflammatory)
- A few sprigs of mint (aid in digestion)
Add ingredients to warm water. Serves 1.
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Digestion Detox Tea
"Add this tea to your morning ritual to activate digestion, stimulate the elimination of toxins and wake up the mind. Sip throughout the day as a gentle way to detox your body and organs while revving up metabolism," explains Genevieve Murphy and Colleen Kelly, brand managers at Montauk Juice Factory.
- 1 lemon (sliced)
- 1 tablespoon ginger (shaved)
- 1/2 tablespoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey (or to taste)
- 1 dash cayenne pepper
Place all ingredients in boiling water and let simmer for 5 to 6 minutes. Strain before sipping and aim to drink a total of 2 quarts a day for maximum detox. Served hot or chilled. Serves 1.
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Raspberry Detox Tea
"Apple cider vinegar aids in circulation, digestion and helps to detoxify the liver. It also helps to break up mucus and cleanse the lymph nodes and improve lymph circulation, which in turn helps to improve your immune system. However, with all of its amazing health benefits, not very many people love the taste of drinking vinegar. I love this drink because it keeps all of the health benefits of the apple cider vinegar, adds in the vitamins and nutrients in the lemons and raspberries and tastes delicious! There’s no better way to start your day!" says Shalisa Pouw, Pure Barre senior master trainer.
- 2 tablespoons fresh or frozen raspberries
- 1 teaspoon agave
- 1 tablespoon Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar
- The juice of 1/2 of a lemon
- Ice
- 16 ounces water
Muddle the raspberries and agave in the bottom of a large glass. Add in the apple cider vinegar and juice from the lemon. Fill the glass with ice and water. Stir and shake.
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Fire Up Ginger Tea
"The spices in this tea boost your immune system and stimulate your digestion, making it the perfect tea if you're feeling under the weather or if you feel like you need to flush something out of your system," explains Emily Nachazel, yoga instructor and in-house health coach at Tangerine Hot Power Yoga.
- Water
- 1 inch fresh ginger root, sliced
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (or a whole stick)
- 1/2 of a lemon, sliced
- Dash cayenne pepper
- Raw local honey (optional, to taste)
Add water, ginger, cinnamon, lemon and cayenne to a medium pot. Bring mixture to a boil, then turn down and let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and add honey if desired. Enjoy hot or let cool for a spicy iced tea. Serves 1.
Note: This makes a strong tea, so depending on your taste buds, you may want to add more water.
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Rose Water
"Antioxidants are a critical part of the detoxification process — enabling the body to be more efficient at eliminating wastes and toxins. Rose water contains vitamins A, C and E — all antioxidants that are especially great for making our skin look radiant by reducing wrinkles, lightening dark spots and tightening pores. As a bonus, rose water also contains B vitamins that work as a mood enhancer to help fight depression and stress," explains Rebecca Lewis, in-house registered dietitian at HelloFresh.
Pluck the petals from the roses (the fresher your roses are, the better). If you buy them from a store, first rinse the petals in some cool water to get rid of any potential chemicals.
Put the petals in a pot and fill with just enough distilled water to cover the petals. Make sure to cover with a lid. Let simmer until the petals lose their color, then strain the liquid from the petals — this is your rose water!
TIP: Pink and red petals make the most fragrant extract.
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Detox Tea
"I live by the rule, keep it simple. The simpler it is the more likely you're going to not only do something, but do it more than once," says Rebecca Kennedy, Wilhelmina fitness model, Barry's Bootcamp master trainer and founder of A.C.C.E.S.S.
- 1 bag dandelion tea
- 3 to 4 slices raw organic ginger
- Organic lemon or red grapefruit, halved and squeezed
- Turmeric
- Small cut of outer stalk of lemongrass (optional)
Boil hot water with ginger and/or lemongrass. Steep tea bag in boiling water for 5 minutes covered. Uncover, add lemon juice and let cool uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes. Optional: Sprinkle in turmeric. Serves 1.
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Turmeric Ginger Tea
"Spring is a season of new beginnings, growth and transformation. Invigorate your energy by starting your day with Turmeric Ginger Tea. Turmeric contains curcumin, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and ginger is also a natural antioxidant. Lemon and honey together make a good expectorant and digestive," explains Amy Opielowski, CorePower Yoga’s senior manager of quality and innovation.
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons lemon/lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
In a small saucepan, bring water to boil. Add turmeric and ginger, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in lemon and honey and strain tea into a cup. It's worthwhile to experiment with freshly grated turmeric for a more vibrant flavor. Serves 1.
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Detox Tea
"With the 'everyday re-tox' opportunities in our modern day, I believe in leveling the playing field and having an 'everyday detox' method in place. Plastics, pesticides, car exhaust, soaps, emulsifiers, household cleaning supplies, makeup and health and beauty aids all can contribute to our bodies toxic load. That is why I use dandelion root, burdock root and ginger tea every morning to help protect my liver and stimulate its detoxifying abilities!" says Dr. Holly Lucille, ND, RN.
- 1 tablespoon organic dandelion root
- 1 tablespoon organic burdock root
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
Boil and steep for 3 minutes; add lemon if you wish. Serves 1.
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Detox Soda
"This detoxing soda blend is a perfect skin refresher," swears Joanna Vargas, celebrity facialist and founder of the Joanna Vargas Salon and Skincare Collection.
- 1 cup sparkling water
- 1 tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 slices of ginger root
Mix all ingredients. Serves 1.
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Detox Tea
"I use this recipe all the time when I’m looking for a DIY detox tea to soothe my body and mind. Proceed with caution about teas that promise weight loss — they are making false promises. My cup of tea, however, might be satisfying enough to keep you away from noshing after dinner…a true calorie-saver," says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, owner of Better Than Dieting and author of Read It Before You Eat It.
- Tazo passion tea
- Juice of 1/2 of a fresh lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon agave
- A few mint leaves
- A sliced apple
Start with a base of a steamy mug of Tazo passion tea and add the juice of the lemon, agave and mint leaves. Add the sliced apple so that when you're done, you can enjoy tea-soaked apple.
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Organic Clementine-Ginger Detox Water
"This recipe contains the same amount of antioxidants as a one-half cup serving of blackberries or cherries from the maqui berry and white tea extract found in CORE with ginger and turmeric added," says the CORE team.
- CORE Organic Orange Clementine
- 2 inches of organic ginger, chopped
- 2 tablespoons of organic turmeric
Combine in a glass. Stir on ice, sprinkle extra turmeric for garnish. Serves 1.
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Absinthe Green Tea
"This tea, like its namesake libation, is full of naturally bitter herbs that work to activate the appetite and metabolism, which is ideal for coming out of winter 'hibernation' time. Mugwort and wormwood have been used throughout history for detoxing purposes and the anise and fennel complete the absinthe-esque tonic flavor," says Asc Helvetius, owner of AscAlchemical.
- 2 ounces green tea
- 1 tablespoon fine aniseed and fennel seed, each crushed
- 1/2 tablespoon mugwort
- 1 tablespoon wormwood
- 1 teaspoon crushed cloves
Mix all dried herbs and spices together with tea until well mixed. Brew one teaspoon per 6 ounces of very hot, but not boiling water for less than 3 minutes. This tea tastes best lightly sweetened with honey or sugar, just like absinthe is traditionally served with a stream of water poured over a sugar cube. Serves 1.
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Spring Vitality Tonic
"The Naturopathica Spring Vitality Tonic uses ingredients, such as burdock root to help detoxify the liver, kidneys, circulatory and lymphatic systems. The tonic is a great rejuvenating drink that is also a great skin tonic for clearing up blemishes, dermatitis, psoriasis or eczema," says Barbara Close, founder of Naturopathica.
- 1/4 cup dried, cut burdock root
- 1/4 cup dried, cut licorice root
- 1 teaspoon cardamom seeds, crushed
- 3 whole cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1 tablespoon dried orange peel
- Water
Place all ingredients in a French press. Fill the press to the top with boiling water, cover and let steep for 20 minutes. Strain the tonic and drink warm or chilled. Serves 1.
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Cooling Cucumber Mint Spa Water
"Wake your body up with this delicious spa water. Cucumber is hydrating and a natural diuretic (which means it helps flush toxins out of your system). Mint is calming and cooling and the scent alone will boost your energy levels. Sea salt helps replenish electrolytes, which are essential for proper muscle recovery," says Emily Nachazel, yoga instructor and in-house health coach at Tangerine Hot Power Yoga.
- 24 ounces water
- 1 Persian cucumber, washed and sliced
- 5 mint leaves
- Dash high-quality sea salt
Add all ingredients to a large mason jar or water bottle. This is best if you let it sit for a while — I love to make a big jar of this at night and keep it in the fridge to enjoy right when I wake up in the morning. Serves 2.
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Wheatgrass Tea
"Green tea is a clean source of energy that has just a little less caffeine than your normal cup of java. It not only fortifies the body with superior antioxidants, but it is also a detoxifier and energy booster. Wheatgrass is full of vitamins, minerals and enzymes, such as chlorophyll and amino acids, making this combo a great source for energy and one of my favorite substitutes for coffee," says Courtney Paul, founder of CPXperience and star of Bravo's Work Out New York.
- 1 cup green tea
- Shot of wheatgrass
Pour wheatgrass into the green tea and mix. Serves 1.
