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10 best detox teas

Swap your usual brew for a cleansing cuppa

Monday 11 January 2016 12:16 GMT

(Rex)

If you’re feeling a little less sprightly after the Christmas gorge fest, you might be tempted to try a detox tea. But what exactly can you expect from a humble brew? Well, it’s important to start by saying that these teas vary wildly with what they claim to offer and results will always vary from person to person.

However, depending on your starting weight, diet and lifestyle, you can expect to see weight loss, a reduction in bloating, increased energy levels and an overall feeling of wellness. It may take a few days before you start to notice an improvement though, so be patient and ensure you’re following the recommended doses.

Some of the naturally sweeter teas are great at curbing that post-meal sugar craving – look out for teas containing fennel seed, aniseed and liquorice root if that’s your goal – and we found the non-caffeinated varieties were great at helping us unwind as part of our bedtime routine.

Why not try ditching your late-night smartphone scrolling sessions, reach for a book and put the kettle on instead? You may find your mental wellbeing improves as well as your physical. January blues, be gone!

Of course it’s important to incorporate a balanced diet and regular exercise into the mix for optimum results. We’ve avoided detox teas that use laxatives as this is widely considered a poor way to lose weight healthily and permanently. The team at food and drink website Crummbs have steeped their temples, brewed their blends and imbibed their infusions to report back on which were the best detox teas to consume.

You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.

Teapigs Clean N Green Detox Tea: £4.15 for 15 tea temples, Waitrose

One of the most delicious teas we’ve tried – detox or otherwise – Teapigs’ blend of green tea, lemongrass, ginger, coconut and dandelion leaves had us reaching for another. Sweet, refreshing, we could drink this all day. The super-delicious taste left us feeling uplifted and our tummies felt calmer. This January, we’re drinking it piping hot from a huge mug, but it’s also great over ice during the warmer months. The combination of natural ingredients is great for helping with digestion and metabolism too, while the green tea provides a boost of antioxidants. Give it a good four to five minutes to brew to get the most out of the biodegradable temples. Teapigs only ever uses quality, whole leaf “real” tea so you get the most flavoursome brew every time.

T2 Detox Loose Leaf Gift Cube, 50g: £8, T2

T2’s ultra-giftable cubes stack easily and look fabulous on your kitchen shelf. We reach for different blends depending on how we’re feeling but this detox pack is the one we crave when it’s time to hit the re-set button. This herbal tisane combines fennel, juniper berries, stinging nettle, sweet blackberry leaves and lemongrass, which left us feeling relaxed and rebalanced. If you’re looking for something a little more refreshing, the Tummy Tea Cube is great to aid digestion after a big meal. The Aussie brand is always working on its blends, now stocking over 200 varieties, so you’re bound to find one for you. If you’re not practised in making a brew with loose leaf tea, fear not, you can also buy tea paraphernalia – making it just as quick and easy as using a teabag.

Fortnum & Mason Spiced Rose & Fennel Infusion Tin: £7.95 for 15 teabags, Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason has looked to the Middle East for inspiration with this healthy tea blend. Aromatic rose petals are a big food trend for 2018 and, alongside the fennel, are excellent at easing digestive issues and cramping. Expect a slightly spicy, liquorice-infused taste. The pretty keepsake tin holds 15 muslin teabags.

Clipper Fairtraide Super Green Detox Tea: £2.05 for 20 teabags, Clipper

Both organic and Fairtrade certified, Clipper makes drinking your greens extra virtuous. The ethical brand doesn’t bleach its bags like others do, making the experience even more pure. This blend includes elderflower (a natural diuretic) and fennel, which helps the body detox naturally. It’s an easy-to-drink infusion with a slightly citrus taste that cleanses the palette.

Yuyo Yerba Mint Tea: £4.80 for 14 teabags, Planet Organic

Inspired by the South American super herb, Yuyo has blended yerba mate (pronounced yer-bah ma-tey) with peppermint, garden mint and lemon verbena for a cleansing and uplifting brew that promises to speed up metabolism. Each cup contains as much caffeine as a cup of coffee – although without the crash – so make sure you indulge at the beginning of the day if you want a restful night’s sleep. Containing more antioxidants than green tea, this packs a punchy menthol hit. The team behind the award-winning brand are on a mission to make yerba mate more accessible for all.

Yogi Tea Organic Detox with Lemon: £2.39 for 17 teabags, Natural Collection

Yogi Detox tea claims to support kidney and liver function. Organic-certified ingredients include aromatic dandelion, lemongrass, lemon peel, cinnamon, ginger, liquorice, lemon balm, and peppermint. The brand has been going for over 40 years, and draws on ancient Ayurvedic recipes that promote balance between body, mind and soul. It recommends brewing for five to seven minutes but obviously the longer you leave it, the stronger the flavour – giving you the perfect opportunity to practise your yoga pose.

The Skinny Tea Co 4 Day Skinny Tea Detox Sample: £12.95 for four samples (12 cups), The Skinny Tea Co

Launching back in 2013, this brand now sells over half a million teas across 50 countries. This starter box is a great way to explore all of the delicious flavours on offer before committing to a longer programme. Each pack contains four flavours – ice cream, milk chocolate, peaches and cream, and summer berry jam – and enough to make three cups of each. The star ingredient is antioxidant-rich GABA Oolong, a Taiwanese “super tea” that maximises fat burning, and in turn weight loss. This is then blended with naturally scented whole leaf teas and uji matcha powdered green tea for a brew that’s as tasty as it is effective.

T Plus Detox Vitamin Green Tea Apple & Blackcurrant: £2.95 for 15 teabags, Ocado

This smart tea is enriched with added vitamins so you’re getting the most out of every sip. The green tea will pep you up, milk thistle helps to protect the liver and that goodness is topped up with Vitamin B2 and C, which will rebalance the body and allow it to detox naturally. And it’s all delivered with a strong, fruity, berry flavour. It’s a great little booster for when you’re feeling under the weather. Three other smart tea flavours are available.

Pukka Organic Detox Herbal Tea: £1.99 for 20 teabags, Holland & Barrett

Detoxing ingredients in these teabags include aniseed, celery seed, coriander, fennel and liquorice – all selected for their soothing, digestive properties. Aside from the health benefits, it tastes delicious too, thanks to the aromatic and spicy cardamom. The ancient teachings of Ayurveda are at the heart of everything Pukka does, so you can rely on this brand to feel rejuvenated and balanced.

Tetley Super Mint Detox Mint: £1 for 20 teabags, Ocado

The master blenders at trusted tea brand Tetley have added the mineral selenium to this mix, which helps protect cells from oxidative stress. If you’re not familiar with the term, it’s essentially an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to detoxify their harmful effects. Not something you’ll have to worry about again after a brew, as each cup contains 23 per cent of your recommended daily allowance and is naturally caffeine free. It’s ideal for after dinner.

The Verdict: Detox teas

If detoxing tastes this delicious, we’re sold. We genuinely couldn’t get enough of the Clean N Green blend from Teapigs. Its tropical fragrance was uplifting, leaving us in a great mood, while the slightly sweet taste helped keep our sugar cravings at bay. Our tummies felt calm, relaxed and less bloated, and although it does contain a small amount of caffeine – thanks to the energising green tea – we couldn’t resist drinking it throughout the day and into the evening. Get the kettle on! Now who’s for a brew?