Detox Tea Ingredients: What Is Really in the Cup
Behind the cheerful packaging, many detox teas lean on two ingredients: a laxative herb and a dose of caffeine. Here is what each one does, what it cannot do, and how to read the label.
Detox teas promise a flatter stomach, a fresh start and a body free of toxins, often in just a couple of weeks. The pictures are calm and green, and the word natural is usually somewhere on the box.
Turn the box over and read the ingredients, though, and two kinds of ingredient often stand out: a stimulant laxative herb such as senna, and a source of caffeine. Neither one removes toxins. One makes you go to the toilet more, and the other gives you a buzz. This guide explains both, so you can decide with clear eyes.
Senna: a laxative, not a cleanser
Senna is a stimulant laxative. MedlinePlus explains that it is used for short periods to treat constipation and to empty the bowels before surgery or certain medical tests. In the European Union, the European Medicines Agency's herbal experts concluded that senna leaf can be used only for short-term relief of occasional constipation.
That use comes with clear limits. The European Medicines Agency says senna leaf should be used for no more than one week, that two to three times a week is usually enough, and that it must not be used by children under 12 or during pregnancy or breastfeeding. MedlinePlus likewise warns not to take senna for more than a week without talking to your doctor.
Used for longer, senna can upset your body's balance of water and salts, lead to laxative dependence and weaken normal bowel activity. Common side effects include stomach pain, cramps, nausea, diarrhea and faintness, and it can turn urine yellow or red-brown. A tea that is drunk daily for weeks to detox can therefore mean weeks of a laxative, well beyond the recommended use.
Simple Lemon and Mint Infusion
You need
- water, just off the boil250 ml (1 cup)
- sprigs of fresh mint, washed3 to 4
- thin slices of lemon2
Method
- Bruise the mint sprigs gently between your fingers to release their aroma.
- Put the mint and lemon slices in a mug and pour over the hot water.
- Cover the mug with a saucer and steep for 5 minutes.
- Remove the mint and let it cool to a comfortable sipping temperature.
Tips
- This drink contains no caffeine and no laxative herbs, so you can enjoy it in the evening.
- When reading any tea label, look for senna, senna leaf or senna pod, and for caffeine sources such as tea, green tea or coffee.
- Many products state the caffeine amount on the label voluntarily. If it is missing, the FDA suggests contacting the manufacturer.
Caffeine: the energy boost
The second common ingredient is caffeine, which may come from tea leaves or other plants. The FDA points out that caffeine from natural sources is treated the same way as caffeine added to a product. It is still caffeine.
For most healthy adults, the FDA cites 400 mg a day as an amount not generally linked to negative effects. That is roughly two to three mugs of coffee of 350 ml (12 oz) each. A detox tea adds to whatever you already get from coffee, tea, cola, chocolate or energy drinks.
Too much caffeine can cause a fast heartbeat, palpitations, raised blood pressure, poor sleep, anxiety, jitters, an upset stomach, nausea and headaches. People with certain medical conditions or on certain medicines can be more sensitive, and anyone pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding should ask a health professional about limiting it.
What the evidence says
NCCIH reports that there is no convincing research showing that detox diets remove toxins or help with weight management. A 2017 review found that weight lost on detox diets usually returns once normal eating resumes, and there are no long-term studies.
Laxatives bring their own problems. NCCIH warns that they can cause diarrhea, which may lead to dehydration and poor absorption of nutrients. The FDA and FTC have also taken action against companies selling detox or cleansing products with hidden ingredients or false claims. If a tea containing senna sends you to the toilet more often, that is the laxative at work, not a sign that toxins are leaving your body.
Questions people ask
Is it safe to drink a senna detox tea for two weeks?
It goes beyond the recommended use. European guidance limits senna to short-term use for occasional constipation, for no more than one week, and warns that longer use can upset your water and salt balance.
Do detox teas help you lose weight?
There is no good evidence that they lead to lasting weight loss. Any weight lost on detox plans usually comes back when you eat normally again.
How do I know how much caffeine is in a detox tea?
Check the ingredients for tea, green tea or coffee, and look for a caffeine amount on the label. If none is given, contact the manufacturer before you rely on it.
Sources
- "Detoxes" and "Cleanses": What You Need To Know — NCCIH
- Senna leaf: summary for the public — European Medicines Agency
- Senna — MedlinePlus
- Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much? — FDA
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Herbs can interact with medicines and health conditions. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before trying a herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, giving it to a child, or taking any medication.
