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Herbs for Weight Loss: A Recipe for Slimming Herbal Tea

Herbs for Weight Loss: A Recipe for Slimming Herbal Tea 3
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I know you all can relate. Life is INSANE! Especially here at the ranch!

From a 5am wake up time to milking goats twice daily to cleaning out the hen-house to mothering, being a supportive wife, and budding entrepreneur…

…my body was talking a backseat. Which is why I began researching best herbs for weight loss.

You probably know that obesity is a worldwide epidemic.

The latest figures tell it all — and it’s only getting worse.

In addition to normal concerns of clothes not fitting, lack of energy, and low self-esteem, being overweight can lead to other more serious health concerns. Diabetes and other health concerns are plaguing us like never before. To say that there is an obesity problem is an understatement!

  • 8 out of 10 Americans over the age of 25 are overweight
  • 174 million American are overweight or obese.
  • The worldwide number is expected to double by 2030.
  • Being overweight is associated with dramatic increases in diabetes, heart disease, cancer, strode, arthritic, and depression.
  • 25.8 million children and adults in the United States — 8.3% of the population — have diabetes.

Previously we discussed a few things to help us focus on developing the habit of healthy living — click here to read that post.

Today, I’d love to talk specifics and share a few of my most favorite herbs for weight loss, detoxification, and over all well-being.

But first let me say…

…herbs should not be considered a magical solution to anyone’s weight-loss efforts! Nonetheless, I do believe that they play a huge role — most effectively in the role of appetite suppression and detoxification.

There are several different herbs that have proven to increase metabolism and/or suppress the appetite — naturally helping us achieve our weight loss goals.

Just be careful — please note…this statement is my disclaimer — with any information you read (yes, even this information that I am sharing with you today) regarding herbs with weight loss claims. Do your own research.

weight loss herbs

The Best Weight Loss Herbs

As mentioned above, there are countless herbs and remedies in the realm of weight loss.

These that I share with you are simply the ones that I have found to be most beneficial and useful in my efforts! Herbs such as:

  •  Nettle Leaf – Highly nutritive, nettle leaf contains a great amount of chlorophyll, making this herb a significant source of antioxidant vitamins (such as C and A) and powerhouse minerals. Nettle leaf is also considered a blood purifier due to it’s ability to increase the proper function of the liver and the kidneys.
  • Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) Root — While it primarily works on the nervous system, in general eleuthero root is well known as a powerful adaptogen – that is an herb that helps the body properly respond to stress. Reducing anxiety and balancing the appetite. Read more here… 
  • Senna leaf — Senna leaf is best known as a natural laxative.
  • Dandelion leaf — Dandelion leaf neutralizes acid in the blood thereby making it one the best remedies for detoxification and blood purification available. And similar to Nettle leaf, it too contains high quantities of nourishing vitamins and minerals. I love dandelion leaf especially for it’s ability to cleanse the body and help with my skin’s complexion.
  • Marshmallow root — Is one of the most mucilaginous herbs. Highly nutritive…it also works to soothe the entire digestive system by reducing inflammation. Likewise, marshmallow root is a wonderful diuretic.
  • Slippery elm bark — Slippery elm bark contains many of the mucilaginous properties as marshmallow root — and it helps bring to balance to the body by absorbing toxins in the bowel.
  • Papaya leaf — Containing high concentrations of digestive enzymes, papaya leaf is an excellent tonic for the digestive system as a whole…and a wonderful herbal support for weight loss.
  • Sweet cinnamon bark — A well-known for centuries due to it’s anti-biotic and anti-fungal properties, cinnamon is a wonderful remedy that supplies excellent flavor. Moreover, cinnamon is excellent for our digestive systems and works to warm the body.
  • Ginger root — Ginger root, a trusted cold/flu fighter, assists the body in the removal of excess toxins. It too, cleanses the digestive tract and the kidneys as well as increases circulation by warming the body.
  • Fennel seeds — Aid in digestion and help to regulate the appetite. They also positively effect kidney function and work to cleanse the liver.

And the best way I have found to consume the benefits of these herbs…tea.

slimming herbal tea via Roots + Reverie

Benefits of Drinking a Slimming Herbal Tea

While drinking an herbal tea concocted using the above herbs…one can expect to experience the following benefits:

– Slimmer waistline
– Mood stabilization
– Better sleep
– Increased libido
– Regular bowel movements
– Decrease in water retention
– Clearer more balanced skin complexion

The Recipe

Slimming Herbal Tea
*Measurements in parts are by volume not weight.

Method

  1. Measure the parts of each of the herbs listed and mix in a large bowl until well combined.
  2. Grab your tea accessories, tea infusers, and/or tea pots…and brew a cup! (Note: I get all of my loose leaf tea-making supplies online from Starwest Botanicals. Their selection of tea accessories can’t be beat!)
  3. This herbal tea blend will keep stored in a cool, dark place for approximately 6 months. (Note: I like to store all of my teas in glass jars with tight-fitting lids.)
  4. Everyday I brew approximately 16-20 fluid ounces of this tea and carry it with me, drinking it throughout the day. I find it mild enough for daily use and I couldn’t be happier with the results I’m seeing!

Where Can I Get This Stuff?

–Starwest Botanicals…they have everything you’ll need by way of Bulk Herbs and Natural Products for Healthy, Natural Living! It’s your one-stop-shop!

–Mountain Rose Herbs also carries many of these ingredients if you’d like to price check.

WHY HERBS FOR HEALTH + NATURAL WEIGHT LOSS?

+Because they work gently and effectively.
+Because you can grow many yourselves, right outside your front door or even in your kitchen.
+Because it’s our birthright to use the gifts of nature with respect and wisdom.
+Because up until relatively recently, at least in the western world, herbs were an integral part of taking care of ourselves.

Health doesn’t come from plastic bottles. Vitality grows naturally from the way you live your life. Deep down, people already know this.

If you want to learn more about herbs as medicine and as food, and if you’re just too busy to enroll in an in-person program, join the Herbal Academy of New England for a comprehensive and convenient online herbal course you can complete anywhere and anytime!

Learn what your great ancestors knew about the natural world and begin to build your own apothecary.

Start classes anytime! Click this link to learn more and register.

Note: Naturally the results will be different for everyone. This is by no means a cure-all. I’m just happy to share with you my experience with these plants and/or oils. Please use conventional wisdom and consult with your medical professional prior to using this or any other herbal remedy. And as we know all too well the FDA doesn’t like any type of claim…therefore, take it for what it is, and remember, this information is purely educational in its purpose.

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Comments

  1. What a great recipe! I’ve been following your blog for a bit now, and I really enjoy your posts! Thanks for the inspiration to live more naturally 🙂

      • It’s whatever measurement you want it to be. Just make sure the ratio stays the same for all the ingredients.

        • I part for me is a Table spoon. I mix my own tea recipes too. This blog is like gold 🙂 Keep up the g reat work.

        • As my physician grandfather was fond of saying, “Teaspoons or gallons, it doesn’t matter.”

      • after trying a lot of ways and tons of tea, from my experience no chemicals only NATURAL products will work so i found this one for losing weight and helps to raise the metabolism,to burn fat and calories, to prevent constipation and to clean your digestive system..,, but you have to take care of your program and follow the Rules which are pretty simple , need to drink it 30 min before meal, more details give it a look it was recommended by my dietologist http://amzn.to/2a7ip7s

  2. This sounds wonderful, can’t wait to try it. How much of the herb mixture do you use for 16-20 oz of water? Thanks!

    • Personally, I would avoid senna while nursing. It is a stimulant laxative which you could use if you really needed it, but otherwise I would avoid it. Eleuthero can be stimulating and so I would choose an adaptogen like ashwagandha or shatavari, which reduce inflammation, support the endocrine system, improve immunity and reduce stress. Shatavari means “she who has 1000 husbands” and is a powerful tonic for women. The rest of the herbs are safe!

      ~Addie McDermott, Holistic Clinical Herbalist
      Earth Roots

      • I so enjoyed this post. I will have to buy Shatavari, not just for what it does, but for what it means! Great post!

      • Is Shatavari alright for me. As well? I’m a nursing mom so I would want to replace the eleuthero with shatavari, but my husband would be drinking the blend as well. Is that okay for him?

        • Shatavari is an amazing herb. It helps to improve flow of breast milk, will help to strengthen your uterus and will also help increase immune function. For men, it actually helps tonify the sexual system as well, just not as well as she does for women.

  4. I’m curious about the mix of leaves, roots and bark in the blend. Is it ok to simply brew the mix — will all of these plant parts extract while steeping?

    • Try grinding up the roots in a coffee grinder before mixing up your blend, that way your infusion will extract the most medicine. Alternately, you can make two blends, one to decoct and one to infuse!

        • Sandra…
          To decide on parts you should think of it like this…
          2 cup is two parts.
          1 cup is one part.
          1/2 cup is half of one part.
          1/4 cup is one quarter of one part..
          And so on.

          • Depending on the amount you want, you may start small. Using one heaping teaspoon per 8oz of water. You could start off making a cup of herb and use it to see if it is working for you, then double, triple… etc…. the recipe for your desired needs. Divide the cup (seeing the cup as two parts now). Hope this helps. Always had problems with this question myself. LOL

            • It’s not trolling if your asking a question and the answers you receive are not understandable to you. So you ask the question again until you get an answer that you can understand. Trolling is going against and using sarcasm to the posters of a site or blog. It is not trying to understand it when you have no previous knowledge.

          • If you start with a cup then cup=part and you keep the ratio from there
            If you start with a tablespoon then tablespoon=part and you keep ratio from there
            what ever you use as a measuring device is your “part” as long as you keep the ratio from that device .

        • To Sandra – Pam replied that your part is whatever you want it to be and she is right, here is an example: If your part is “1/4 cup” then 3 parts would be 3/4 of a cup, if your part is 1 tablespoon then 3 parts would be 3 tablespoons. Just be sure to keep the part consistant.
          I hope that this helps.

              • a standard measuring cup= 8 ounces — you can go to the store and buy a set of measuring cups- the largest of them should be one cup, the others will be fractions of a cup, (1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, and 1/2 cup)…
                then a cup = a part, (1/4 part, 1/3 part, 1/2 part)…

  6. Senna is actually a habit-forming herbal laxative. I’m currently taking a 10 month herbal medicine course with a very experienced clinical herbalist who says she has had to help lots of people learn to have bowel movements again on their own after using senna – a process that sounds difficult and unpleasant, so be careful with this! She has actually warned us away from using Senna pretty much at all. Everything else looks great though.

  11. Hi I have been interested in this recipe for quite some time but when I look on Mountain Rose Herbs I cannot find the Sweet Cinnamon Bark, chips that you have listed. Is it listed under something else or where can I find it? Thanks!!

  12. To Sandra – Pam replied that your part is whatever you want it to be and she is right, here is an example: If your part is “1/4 cup” then 3 parts would be 3/4 of a cup, if your part is 1 tablespoon then
    3 parts would be 3 tablespoons. Just be sure to keep the part consistant. I hope that this helps.

  14. I will defiantly be making this. I love all herbal tea and mix up different types all the time. Thanks!

  15. I see.ones that say regulates your appetite… but I.see.none that say suppresses the.appetite. can u suggest one?!

  16. Sounds EXPENSIVE – 1 part or 2 parts – – I’m lost…I’m looking at 8oz Nettle Leave for 5.25 and you’re talking about making 16 – 20 oz a day. Am I lost? Would I then use 2 TBS or this – for some reason I’m thinking CUP measurements….

    • Terri,
      you’re making 16-20 oz of tea, which only requires about 3 tsp of the tea blend.
      Each “part” is whichever measuring instrument you want to use. For a big batch, use a cup: 2 cups Nettle leaf, 2 cups Eleuthero, and so on. If you want to make a small batch to start with, have your “part” be a Tbsp: 2 Tbsp Nettle leaf…
      Once you have combined your mixture, you will only need 1 heaping tsp of tea per cup of water.

    • If your goal is to mix a small batch, your “part” would be small. Something like this:

      Large Batch: Small Batch:
      1 Cup (or part) of whatever 1/4 (or part) of whatever
      A part can be a cup, a tablespoon, an ounce. What ever volume you choose to make.
      So, two parts can be 2 cups or 2 tablespoons. One part is 1/2 of whatever you use for the first part and so on
      Follow?

  17. I disagree with your calling this a weight loss tea. It is a nourishing tea.
    Bilberry and chickweed would help surpress the appetite.
    Senna can cause severe stomach cramping and, as the other person said, is habit forming. Not a safe herb to use without professional supervision.
    Are you an herbalist? If not, you should not be recommending herbal remedies/teas. I could say a lot more about your recipe but it would take too long.
    Be careful, I know you mean well…..

  19. I was so excited when I saw this recipe! I immediately purchased all the herbs from mountainrose (LOVE that store!) and started taking this blend daily for about a week and a half. I noticed that I had some mild stomach cramping and frequent toilet breaks 😛 Then I read the comments here about Senna leaf 🙁
    I guess if you’re good on the fibre intake, just leave it out. I stopped taking this blend and looking for more ‘slimming’ type of blend to help with the weight loss! But as Andrea said, “Do your own research!”. Thanks for all your recipes! Love your site 🙂

  20. Thanks for the great recipe. I have tried getting as many ingredients as I could. The end result is a great herbal tea though I missed a few ingredients. I don’t have enough time to add all the ingredients each and every time and make tea. I am an avid tea fan …be it green tea or regular tea. The benefits of tea are numerous….Green tea in particular has a great potential in helping lose weight and waist line. I am a pharmacist and I recommend green tea and few other ingredients (e.g green coffee, caralluma) if customers are looking for supplement pills and not drinking tea.
    not everybody needs all the ingredients…it is mostly based on the dietary habits.
    Great Post Andrea!

    • I mix a larger portion of the herbs together and put in a jar so that I can take as much as I want for a cup or a teapot full of tea. Mixing together only once saves a lot of time and makes sure all your ingredients are put in and not forgotten.

  21. Looks like a great tea recipe! You can use only a few of the herbs too if you want. I’ve found that when you feel like you want to eat, but you aren’t really hungry, having a cup of tea can satisfy you and using the herbs listed above can help ward off cravings. If you get in the habit of drinking the tea instead of snacking, you soon find that you crave tea instead of snacks!

  22. Is it possible from the store to have this pre-made thus making it much easier on the customer? I would be more willing to purchase if it were premixed and ready to brew.

    • Earlene, at the bottom of the post the author shares her Etsy site where you can purchase the blend already made. Peace.

  23. I don’t care for hot tea or drinks. Can I steep this and drink it as a cold drink?
    Thanks.

  25. I am looking on the mountain rose herb website and I can only find Fennel seed in their dirctory….Where do you purchase your other herbs?

    • Here is he website for Mountain Rose Herbs. http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/ click on the tab that says “products” on the next screen you should have several things listed in the body of the page click on “bulk herbs & spices”. Scroll down a little way and you should how see A,B C, D, E etc. . . across the middle of the page, just click on the letter of the herb you want and scroll down to find it.
      Look for “cut” herbs vs powdered as it looks like that is what she uses in this formula. Good Luck

  26. Hi,
    I was wondering if someone would know where to find these ingredients in Toronto – Canada?

    • Hi Loulou – I live in Markham, Canada – I bought all my ingredients from MountainRoseherbs online. They are organic and I find their quality to be top notch. I’ve been drinking this tea on and off – can’t say that I’ve lost weight but that’s because I eat like a cow LOL. But I definitely feel like it’s good for me – I would omit the senna leaf though. Send me your email – I bought more than enough to make tea for 10 years – I’m happy to share a jar with you!!
      Annie

    • Hi Loulou,
      You can get the dried herbs at Nature’s Emporium in Newmarket (www.naturesemporium.com) or you can get the plants or dried herbs from Richters Herbs (www.richters.com) just north of Stouffville.
      Tina 🙂

    • If you live in Toronto, the freshest place to get herbs is Thuna’s on the Danforth. Just west of Carrot Common on the same side. They will blend for you as well. Very knowledgeable!

  27. Hello,

    I found this site via Pinterest, and love it, I am going to be buying the herbs from the mountain rose store and I was wondering if there is anything else that will help with the constipation, other than the Senna. My system is all messed up, and I’ve been looking for healthy ways to get it back in sync. Any herb that will help with regulating the menstrual cycle. I’m 42 yrs old, and it’s pretty much stopped, pretty sure it’s from my other problem, but I’d just like that and my sex drive back.

    Thanks for this post it was so very helpful and keep those blog post coming!

    • Triphala is a wonderful bowel regulator, you might want to try that instead. It’s safe, non habit forming and instead of being a laxative, it actually strengthens the bowels for effective elimination.

  29. For me, it’s better to drink slimming herbal tea instead of diet pills. I drink ginger tea because it’s one of the perfect method to lose weight.

  30. I just happened on your page looking for a natural homemade deodorant, I have to say I ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOU and what you do (: Thank you for being here !!

  31. I totally agree with you Divine. But the thing is that the effect is very slow of this tea. And in this fast and glamorous world people wants fast or instant result And that is the only reason the weight loss pills and other products come to exist.

  33. Thank you, sounds like a great blend that I’m going to try for sure…I usually drink Oolong tea throughout the day for the most part, now I will switch it up with this blend 🙂

  34. Can this be brewed and turned into a refrigerated drink option? ie, brew it by the pitcher, and then drink it by the cup?

  35. Hi i live in south africa johannesburg i would like were can i get this ingredients in johannesburg thanks

  36. hey, this is a fabulous recipe!! I was just wondering if it would be possible to substitute the orange peel with something else? If so do you have any suggestions?(I’m allergic) it is such a common flavor lending component… but I really react to it. Thanks!!

  37. Be careful of using senna long term. Look up cautions if you need a second advice. Senna is going to help you eliminate but it is highly addictive to your bowels.

  38. I’m a bit confused too. So 1 part = a cup? Is that correct. But how do you know what size the cup is?

    • When talking about the parts…. 1 cup I dont think means a coffee cup or anything like that. It means a measuring cup. Most of us probably dont measure too often and just guess. I laughed at hubby cus he used measuring cup to make mac and cheese lol. So 1 cup is 1 measuring cup full not a glass size. Doesthis help? And please someone correct me if im wrong but thats how I understand it

      • When I have mixed my own teas in the past I have found pt means part. So you find a unit of measurement you will use and go from there. One part could be 1/4 cup and that would be your standard for the recipe – ie: 2 parts would then be 1/2 cup. Does this make sense?

        • Am very late to this party–so sorry. Be careful with the pt abbreviation because it could also stand for pint in the US. I think the problem with “part” equivalents stem from those folks using the metric system. Try thinking of it this way: If one part equals 12 grams them 2 parts is 24 grams, 1/2 part is 6 grams, 1/4 part is 3 grams. Oh how I ling for the metric system in the US.
          Don’t get hung up on the parts though–a part can be anything. Say an old spice jar. If one part equals 1 full jar than 2 parts is that same jar filled twice, 1/2 part= that jar filled 1/2 way and so on. It may not be scientific but it would work.

  41. Hi,
    Am Juliet from Nigeria, i will really love to try these herbs. any idea where i can get them here in Nigeria?? thanks and stay blessed..

  42. Does it matter what temperature it is while drinking it??
    Hot, warm, iced? ????
    Thank you
    PS I’m DIABETIC. Does that matter?

  44. Herbal tea has miraculous effect for weight loss. Having the herbal tea twice a day and some yoga exercise can be of great help to shed some kilos.

  48. hello, my name is joanne, my concern is that I am susceptible to seizures (grand mal) and I need to be very careful as to what I eat, drink and put into my body, along with trying to be less stressed at work (still working on that one) …. however, bottom line I am obese and I need to lose weight and I would like some assistance, if, at all possible. I need to get healthy again… with your recipe, I need to know what you mean by ‘part’ this and 2 parts that? sorry I need layman’s term… Please, Thank You for taking the time out to read this…

  49. hello, my name is joanne, my concern is that I am susceptible to seizures (grand mal) and I need to be very careful as to what I eat, drink and put into my body, along with trying to be less stressed at work (still working on that one) …. however, bottom line I am obese and I need to lose weight and I would like some assistance, if, at all possible. I need to get healthy again… with your recipe, I need to know what you mean by ‘part’ this and 2 parts that? sorry I need layman’s term… Please, Thank You for taking the time out to read this… 09292013 Your response will be and is greatly appreciated.

    • Hi Joanne,
      Using a “part” is based on ratio rather than a specific measurement.
      Let’s say our “part” is a tablespoon. Where the recipe calls for “1 part,” use 1 tablespoon. When the recipe calls for “2 parts,” use 2 tablespoons. When the recipe calls for “1/2 part,” use 1/2 tablespoon. Now suppose we chose a larger measurement as our “part.” This time, let’s say our “part” is 1/4 cup.
      Now for “1 part,” we would use 1/4 cup; for “2 parts,” we would use 1/4 cup twice. For “1/2 part,” we would use 1/2 of 1/4 cup which would be 2 tablespoons.
      Remember this is about ratio rather than a specific unit of measurement.
      Referring to this herbal tea blend: after mixing it all together, you measure out one heaping teaspoon of the herbs per cup of water that you are using. Store the rest of the herb blend in a glass jar in a dark place. You get several cups of tea from this blend if you use at least a 1/4 cup measurement as your “part.”

  50. I heard from someone about that recipe and i’m thinking to try it. I don’t know what the effects will be but maybe i will give a shot. Thanks for info!

  51. Try hercampuri it’s the best herb I’ve tried it boosts your metabolism, once you start moving you feel energy all over your body, and its not caffeine. It’s your stored fat getting used up as energy. Just drink three cups a day. To make it boil a liter of water and add 10 grams of hercampuri, it is very bitter but you’ll get use to it once you start feeling like a teenager again.

  52. Thanks for all this information they are helpful. But pls I’m in Nigerian, how do I get this herbs?and I hope it does not affect fertility?
    Thanks

  53. Omg I have been trying to find something good like this but I’m a little worried about one thing. Can anyone tell me if this may be safe for diabetics? I am type 1 but I am insulin resistant so in other words I have to inject insulin and take the Metformin tablets too and I’m only 25. I am also trying to get pregnant but due to my severe diabetes I ended up putting on weight (since I had to put injections). So would this be safe for me? I would so appreciate if someone could tell me. Thank you in advance 🙂

  54. Can you tell me how to make it into a tea? Im not a tea drinker do i just mix everything together than put a tablespoon in to a cup oc boiling water?

  58. I never think that losing weight is that much easy. I lost 6 kgs of body weight in just 2 months without any physical exercise or any change in diet plan.
    I did not experience any side effect as well. If you want the same result then buy easy slim tea from tvmall.in

  59. Do you think the fennel is a super important part? I hate the taste of fennel but if it’s truly that beneficial in this recipe I’d use it anyway.

  60. hii
    Drinking two cups of Slim tea every day not only helps shed stubborn pounds by boosting your metabolism, but also blocks the fattening effects of carbohydrates, improves cognitive functioning and mental well-being.

  61. Can Cayenne pepper be added to this mixture? I know it would make it spicy but I’ve read that cayenne can help lessen appetite, improve circulation/heart beat, and acts as a catalyst significantly improving the performance of herbs taken with it.

  62. Hi,
    I just discovered this excellent blog, and I really appreciate everyone’s comment(s). I just have to laugh at some of the questions, so SORRY in advance for that; I’m trying to also be considerate of everyone’s different approach to the several subjects. Here is my own input, for what it MAY be worth:
    1. Recipes in general: Most of you are surely FAR better cooks than I am, but I am a scientist, so please consider this fact. EVERYTHING that you make has a “recipe” that uses “parts” (even if you are building a house). For one kind of house you may need just one one door and two windows, so to make two similar houses you would need two times that “recipe,” which equals two doors and four windows.
    2. “Parts.” For making any food recipe, including this tea, the amounts shown can all be considered as “parts.” If a recipe calls for a teaspoon of this and two teaspoons of that, it’s the same as saying one part of this and two parts of that. One “part” can be measured with anything you happen to have available, like a tablespoon, a cup (any size), a shot glass or drinking glass…anything! Just use the same quantity of any ingredient to establish what YOU want to equal just one part.
    3. Adding or subtracting any herbs or other ingredients would (or should) not affect what you want to do; it would (or could) just change what YOU wish the end end result to be. Of course, you MAY have to watch out for unwanted interactions, so make sure you do your own research before adding a specific herb or anything “strange” to your own recipe. I’m adding the cayenne to mine!

    I really like all the suggestions made (so far) to change the basic recipe. As several others mentioned, you should do your own research, talk to your doctor and be careful about adding certain ingredients, like senna. My suggestion is to make your own BASIC recipe using “safe” ingredients, like most of the ones shown above, and then add the needed “special effects” (like senna) only in the recommended dosage (“part”) and for the recommended amount of time, like one week every month or so, in the case of using senna as a laxative or bowel cleansing agent.

    I have only used store-bought herbal slimming teas, and they do work…as a laxative. Of course, cleaning out your bowels will lower your weight a little, but that’s a temporary fix. The danger of doing this too often should not be overlooked, so discuss this with your doctor.

    Remember, for long-term weight loss, the ONLY solution is to learn how to plan what you eat, when to eat and how much to eat. There are plenty of diets available, old ones and new ones, like the “fast diet.” The real problem is to figure out how YOU can manage your own eating habits.

    Of course, I hate to use that negative word, exercise (!:o), but adding some daily “activities” to your life can help boost your metabolism and burn off some of your daily intake of calories. THAT will help you lose weight, gain some muscle tone and start looking and feeling good…and THAT is the best reason for going to all the trouble that everyone here is suggesting. Thanks again for the basic article ad for all of your individual contributions to it.

    • I don’t think most people research natural herbal methods as a quick fix to replace exercise or to cancel out their “fatty” diet. I think it’s in response to physicians and scientists measuring our hormone levels and diagnosing us based on a chart without ever considering that bodies must be balanced internally. Our organs must be in shape as well. While I am a believer in science and it’s experiments , I am a proponent of healing and a holistic approach as nature intended. Science, chemically processed, engineered and altered foods is likely the basis of why many are on this site. Eating is only of the many paths on this journey to health. I absolutely believe we are designed for physical activity and suffer when it is not implemented in our lifestyle. Perhaps I’m odd in thinking that weight loss is the result of my body performing at its peak when my internal organs are being purified and cleansed and not being an obstacle in my regimen of organic, clean eating, vitamin supplements and exercise. I disagree with your claim that “Remember, for long-term weight loss, the ONLY solution is to learn how to plan what you eat, when to eat and how much to eat.” I’m not a scientist, architect, or a physician, though. I’m simply a person who was tired of fibromyalgia prescriptions, pain meds and wasted co-pays that left me no closer to being healed and started a journey to understand what my body needed naturally to restore my LIFE.

  63. was wondering how long to steep the tea before drinking it. 10 minutes, 1 hr. ,8hrs? I just ordered everything and so excited to get started. I drink nettle tea sometimes and it is recommended for best results to steep overnight. Thanks.

  65. ” improven” isn’t a word. lol Sorry, I had to do it. 😉

    The tea sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing your recipe.

  66. Hi Andrea, thanks for this great recipe! the only challenge is tha twe can source all these ingredients in Australia but the Slippery Elm Bark is only avail in a powder. How much do you think I should add? I’m thinking 1/4 part…

  67. Hi Andrea, my daughter-in-law is 8 months pregnant I am wondering if this tea is safe for her to drink? I love it have been drinking it for about a month I have lost about 7 lbs so far/

  68. May I suggest that with your next recipe you use actual measurements, ie 1 tbsp of….2 tbsp of…..1/2 tbsp of… Etc. then add that one can double or triple or quadruple the recipe as much as they want, or can cut it in half, etc. people seem to be having a problem with “parts”.

    • The problem with that is not everyone is in the USA: those in Europe or other continents use metric, which means they would have difficulties making this using those measurements ( I found a great blog with recipes but she was so adamant about being metric,and would not give measurements for USA and I could not convert such small amounts into tsp etc, so I don’t read her anymore.): Parts is SO much better!!!! It really is easy!
      A ‘part’ is ANY measurement you want it to be. That’s it! Simple. So those in metric areas can use grams or litres, or whatever, those that don’t use metric can use cups (measuring cups) or Tablespoons or teaspoons, whatever for 1 part. Even as someone suggested it could be a container of any size, just use it as 1 part, and follow the directions from there.

  69. I have a few quick questions. What form do I buy bilberry if I am using it in a tea or tincture?
    In other words, is it bilberry seed, leaf or dried berry??
    And if you decide to make this recipe as a tincture, do I use a good vodka like I use to make my own
    vanilla extract or is there another preferable alcohol that I need to use?
    Would I use a tsp per 1- 8 oz cup of water if it is in tincture form???
    Do I store tincture in fridge or can I store it in a cool, dark cupboard??

  70. Where in South Africa can we purchase the following nettle leaf, eleuthero root ,senna leaf, dandelion leaf ,marshmallow rootslippry elm,

  71. I’ve tried something like this before but could never remember the name of all the herbs to remake it. Thanks for sharing 🙂