Spices to Help Cleanse the Mind and Body
With Spring and the scent of blooming flowers on the horizon, it is an opportune time to jumpstart your Spring cleaning. But cleaning doesn’t have to stop in the closet; if you want to do a proper declutter, that extends to your gut and mind, too.
Luckily, there are tons of herbs and spices known for their cleansing and detoxifying properties. Herbs like Green Tea, Ginseng, Turmeric, and Dandelion all have components that make them ideal candidates for rinsing toxins out of the body, and Ginseng, Sage, Peppermint, Rosemary, and Ashwaganda are among the dozens of herbs used to aid brain function and clear the mind.
Let’s break down the benefits of some of these powerful herbs, shall we?
Spices for Detoxification
Whether you’ve been drinking a little too much craft cocktails, or haven’t been eating the healthiest, it’s never too late to make a change. Even if you’ve been on a good sleep schedule and on the right track with your health and wellness regimen, adding some detoxifying and brain health spices to your foods and beverages can supplement the health of your immune system.
A few herbs widely known to cleanse and purify include:
Green Tea
The benefits of integrating green tea into your diet and skincare routine are the reason you see it listed as an ingredient in so many products and plastered all over nutrition blogs. Green tea is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, which contribute to a keeping your immune system healthy and strong, and safeguarding your liver from the damaging impacts of toxic substances such as alcohol and processed foods. One of the main components is the amino acid L-theanine, which is known to reduce stress and boost your energy levels, as well as enhance your mood. A cup of green tea in the morning is a wonderful way to start your day, cleanse your body, and regulate your digestive system.
Ginseng
Ginseng is another herb great for flushing out harmful toxins while simultaneously boosting your energy state. It can harness peace in the body and mind and amplify your general well-being. Equally important, Ginseng is reported to treat diabetes and other medical conditions such as inflammatory diseases due to its combination of chemical compounds, like gisenosides. Gisenosides is an active component that targets pathways in the immune system to help reduce swelling as well as prevent the flu and common cold. Ginseng is widely consumed in the form of tea, and is a perfect addition to your diet if you want to restore balance and rejuvenate your cells.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a fruitful herb that detoxifies the liver and has a potent flavor. It goes great with honey, lemon juice and water, or you can make the renowned “golden milk” latte with espresso, cinnamon, maple syrup, cow milk or plant-based milk, and a dash of cayenne. Turmeric is often seen in Indian and Middle Eastern dishes due to it’s healing elements. It also helps boosts enzymes in the body, which can flush out alimentary toxins, germs, and viruses. Those with inflammatory diseases like psoriasis utilize turmeric to soothe irritation of the skin.
Dandelion
Dandelion can support hormone regulation through the removal of toxins via sweat, bile, and urine. It is a surefire way to clear contaminants out of the liver and aid digestion. You can add dandelion to salads, protein bowls, or drink it on its own in the form of tea. It is slightly bitter, so be prepared for a kick of flavor! Dandelion has been used in traditional medicine in China and Native America to treat stomach and liver conditions, and other ailments such as high cholesterol, acne, gastrointestinal disorder, eczema, and in some cases cancers.
Sasparilla
Sasparilla is a lesser known but highly beneficial herb. Aside from anti-inflammatory compounds, it is a great liver cleanser and protector from damage. If you suffer from autoimmune or skin disease like psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or kidney disease, Sasparilla will help immensely. It can kill bacteria and rid the organs of unwanted pathogens through increased perspiration
Spices for Clarity
Ginseng
Aside from increasing energy and eliminating unwanted gunk in the system, Ginseng is also known to aid in cognitive function. It truly is a superpower herb.
Sage
Sage has a pleasant, soothing aroma that is a spectacular addition to soups, savory scones, and bread stuffing. Its medicinal properties help stave off sickness and fight colds, sore throats, mouth irritation, and irritability. Sage is great on butternut squash or mushroom and cheese sandwiches,
Peppermint
Peppermint not only tastes and smells delicious, but has healing properties too; the menthol in peppermint and other members of the mint family are reported to stimulate the Hippocampus area of the brain, which is responsible for your state of clarity and memory function. Additionally, Peppermint is used frequently as a digestive to aid in weight loss. You can add peppermint to your favorite latte or tea, as garnish on top of a dessert, or even use it to make a pesto.
Rosemary
Believe it or not, rosemary is also from the mint family. We have pulled from our ancient ancestors’ knowledge of medicinal herbs to utilize rosemary for the purpose of boosting immunity and supporting proper cognitive function. That, and it also facilitates hair growth and improve blood circulation. This antioxidant loaded herb removes the amount of free radicals within the body that cause diseases and illnesses.
Rosemary goes wonderfully with lemon garlic chicken or on crispy potatoes. You can also incorporate into your regimen through applying natural rosemary infused skincare products or via essential oil diffusers.
Ashwaganda
We must not forget that one of the most important and effective ways to achieve mental clarity is through stress reduction. Ashwaganda is a popular adaptogen used for it’s calming properties. It can reduce swelling and inflammation, lower blood pressure, and help one reach a state of relaxation.
Of course, this is just a shortlist of the bountiful herbs that exist in our natural world that can help you cleanse your body and flush your internal organs, leaving your cells and mind feeling rejuvenated and replenished. Don’t be shy, try out some of these spices if you’d like to use natural remedies to detoxify your system.
If you’re looking for specially curated herbal blends that cleanse and detoxify, we have another article on that, too.
