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I’ve been making the best detox tea recipe since 2014 (and yes, I know I may be biased… but I really don’t think so). Let me tell you why—my recipe uses fresh lemon juice, real ginger root, and a dash of cayenne pepper.
Using fresh ingredients enhances the flavors and creates a concentrated tea, giving you better results. I’ve made up a few variations over the years, yet this is my go-to recipe. It’s even included in the nutrition plan of my Plant-Based Cleanse to promote weight loss.
Ingredients in Homemade Detox Tea
While the ingredient list is somewhat flexible, this is my favorite combination. It’s simple, yet the combination of ingredients is so delicious and I find it works so well for my body.
- Lemon: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is best. I don’t recommend a shelf-stable version.
- Ginger root: Fresh ginger root is robust in flavor and super affordable in the produce section.
- Cayenne pepper: A small dash of this powerful seasoning brings some heat.
- Warm water: Never use boiling. This can kill any of the live enzymes in the fresh lemon juice, which helps with digestion.
How to make it taste even better
If you’re having a hard time drinking the detox tea, try omitting the cayenne pepper and adding a little bit of raw honey or another natural sweetener to the cup. This helps balance out the acidity and makes it slightly more pleasant if lemon and spiciness aren’t your thing.
Detox Tea Health Benefits
Aside from just feeling better overall when I drink this, there are some very specific benefits to using these ingredients together in one simple homemade recipe. Here are the top detox tea health benefits that motivate me to drink this when I’m feeling like I need a good full-body reset.
- The lemon promotes alkalinity in the body and also kick-starts the liver for the day encouraging the release of digestive fluids. Lemon juice is also a powerful antioxidant because it contains citrates, flavonoids, vitamin E, vitamin C.
- Fresh ginger root brings warmth to the tummy while boosting both the metabolism and circulatory system.
- Capsaicin, found in cayenne pepper, has been shown to help with liver repair, especially from alcohol damage.
Using Detox Tea for Weight Loss
This detox cleanse tea recipe can be a wonderful weight loss beverage. It contains ingredients that can induce feelings of fullness and suppress hunger. Here are a few quick tips to help you get the most benefits from this homemade weight loss tea… if weight loss is a goal.
- Consume 2-3 times a day (in between meals) for the best results.
- Drink on an empty stomach to activate the digestion system the best. If you have a sensitive stomach or struggle with acid reflux, feel free to have oatmeal or something first.
- Use organic ingredients to aid in the cleansing process.
- Blend ingredients together to retain as much fiber as possible.
- Munch on the ginger root once the tea is finished— I love the burst of flavor.
- If you have sensitive teeth, allow the tea to cool off and sip through a straw.
How to Make the Best Detox Tea
This recipe for detox tea is almost as easy as using a tea bag, yet has additional health benefits thanks to the fresh ingredients. Here’s how I make the best detox tea:
- Heat water, but remove from heat before it boils. Boiled water will start to break down the nutrients from the lemon juice and ginger root, which we don’t want!
- Slice ginger root and squeeze lemon juice into a mug. Add a dash of cayenne, as well. I like adding these before the water so that they start at the bottom of the mug.
- Pour warm water into a mug and allow to steep for 5 minutes. This gives the ginger time to release into the water. You can even gently press down on the soaking ginger with a spoon to help release the juices.
- Sip and enjoy the warming experience.
Detox Tea Cube Tip
You can make homemade detox tea cubes ahead of time by freezing ingredients (except the water) in an ice cube tray. When ready to enjoy, add a frozen cube to a cup of hot water.
Common Questions
The combination of lemon, ginger, and cayenne pepper creates a warm and spicy beverage that truly wakes up the body. Void of any artificial sweeteners, you may find this detox tea bitter at first. Yet after a few days, you will adjust to the flavors and begin to crave them for the taste and detox tea benefits you’ll quickly experience.
When trying to lose weight, use a tea blend that can curb hunger and activate the digestive system. Fresh lemon juice, ginger root, and cayenne pepper all work together in my detox tea recipe to promote weight loss gently and naturally.
Having a daily homemade detox tea as a healthy habit that goes a long way. Doing this alone will not transform your life (sorry!) but it is a wonderful habit that nourishes and heals your body. It takes a lot of healthy habits to lose weight, gain energy, and feel amazing. Drinking the best detox tea every day can definitely be a vital part of your transformation journey.
Detox tea is a natural cleanse recipe that helps cleanse the body by supporting the liver and kidneys in flushing out toxins, improving digestion, boosting metabolism, and potentially aiding in weight loss.
Starting each day with a detox tea is a great ritual to embrace if you’re making wellness a priority. Aside from the health benefits, a morning detox tea can trigger a pattern of healthy habits throughout the day.
Homemade Detox Tea Alternatives
Here’s some more recipes to support the detox process that you might enjoy. They’re all made with fresh produce at home, giving you the best results, and also making it affordable to do long-term.
- Turmeric Tea: The combination of turmeric and black pepper is used to combat inflammation throughout the body aiding in digestion and serving as a powerful homemade detoxification to cleanse the body.
- Metabolism Tea: Apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, and other spices are paired together to kick-start your metabolism and curb your appetite if weight loss is a goal, making it one of the most effective body detox recipes.
- Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic: I recommend sipping this mid-afternoon as a delightful blood sugar regulator instead of another caffeinated beverage, and it’s also a great recipe for cleansing.
Best Detox Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 inch ginger root thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp lemon juiced
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Heat water just below boiling.
- Add sliced ginger and lemon juice to a mug.
- Pour hot water into mug and allow to steep for 5 minutes.
- Add a dash of cayenne.
Notes
- Use fresh ginger for best results. Ground ginger will taste good, yet won’t give your body the benefits that fresh ginger root does.
- Cayenne pepper will help with the cleansing process. I know it’s a strong ingredient— it can be omitted if you aren’t able to tolerate them.
- You want to make sure your water isn’t boiling because this will start to kill off the medicinal properties of the lemon and ginger root. Warm water is just fine, or even room temp if that’s easier for you.
It’s a delicious way to start the day while cleansing!
It really is!
I wasn’t sure about this drink when I first tried it, but now I look forward to drinking it every time I do a cleanse. Such a great way to start the day.
I love having this drink during the cleanse and after!
I work 11 p.m. to 7 a when would be the best time for me to take this
Kathleen, I like to drink this first thing in the morning when I wake up. You could incorporate this into your “morning” routine, whatever time that may be. 🙂
I drink this first thing in the morning and I love how it kickstarts my metabolism, re-alkalinizes my body, and settles my stomach if it’s upset. I make the lemon juice and ginger ahead of time and freeze it in an ice cube tray. Then I can pop one lemon/ginger cube into my mug, add boiling water, and top with cayenne and parsley. It’s simple and easy.
Couldn’t have said it better! 🙂
Is it safe to add turmeric to this recipe of detox morning tonic ?
Hey Naomi! It is safe but if you’re looking for a turmeric tonic, I’d recommend this one instead. And it’s not in the ingredients list but add 1 tsp. of MCT oil or coconut oil. Healthy fats + fresh ground black pepper are both important for increasing the bioavailability of the curcumin in turmeric. 🙂 simplegreensmoothies.com/recipes/healing-remedies/how-to-make-turmeric-tea-and-detox-daily
This is super delicious, I usually add about 1/4 tspn cloves to mine❤
Hey Abiola,
Thanks for sharing what you add to your smoothie to make it your own! 🙂
Can u drink this at night? Like a relaxing evening drink?
Hey Hollis,
You can totally drink this whenever it works best for you — but just keep in mind that it is meant to boost your energy for the morning and wake up your body.
Is it ok to add 1 Tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar to this mix?
Hey Bonnie,
Yes, you can definitely add in some ACV to this!
This is sooo good, you just feel the health as you drink it all down. I made it for my spouse today and he kept complaining. I realized later he was chewing everything in the cup, which both my daughter and I did without complaint. I think that chewing it all works for some but not others. Either way, it’s rawks!
I agree, Michelle- some like to eat the ginger and parsley and some don’t. Either way, it’s a great drink!
I love this!!! Seriously who knew the power of this morning tonic? Only thing I had to tweet was adding a little maple syrup. (Just a little).
I leave the ginger in- I actually add a little more bc I love the taste. I prep a head bc it saves so much time esp in morning.
I know! I didn’t think drinking this could help me feel so great in the mornings but it totally does!
This is my no go to morning drink, now that I have given up coffee. I, like other posters, like to add extra cayenne to it.
A little extra cayenne will really help you wake up in the mornings!
When this is done steeping, do you strain out the ginger or just leave it in? Also, I saw mention of prepping ahead and freezing. How would I do this?
Hi K,
It’s totally up to you if you want to strain it before drinking or not. I simply leave everything in and enjoy! And yes, you can totally prep this ahead of time in your freezer. Place a serving amount of ginger, lemon juice, parsley, and cayenne in an ice cube tray and freeze. When you’re ready to enjoy pop a cube in your mug + add hot water!
This is great in the morning instead of coffee or tea. Like some other posters, I like to add a little bit more cayenne for some kick/warmth. Also, prepping ahead of time in ice cube trays makes it as easy as using a tea bag.
Prepping makes a huge difference, doesn’t it?!
I have been doing Jen’s Fresh Start Plant-Based Cleanse and a morning ritual is this tonic. It is warming, satisfying and invigorating! A perfect way to feel good and give give your morning a jump start. I love the pinch of cayenne. I use a tea filter insert in my mug that I take out when it is done steeping because I like to slice my ginger and chop up the parsley❤️
Def a perfect way to feel good and give your morning a great jump start! 🙂
Have had one of these each morning this week. The tip of freezing the ingredients in an ice tray first is excellent, you boil the kettle, pop a cube in a cup then off you go. This morning I noticed how much I liked the warmth of it.
The warmth of the ginger is really nice, isn’t it?
This is excellent for starting off the morning – light but not too light, the heat is a great wake up and helps hold off hunger long enough to make breakfast. I don’t feel the need for coffee first thing when I have this instead!
This is def a great substitute for coffee!