Detox drinks: how to prepare them?

After holidays, festive meals or simply when you want better eating habits, detox drinks are an easy and pleasant way to reset.
They do not replace medical advice and do not “clean” the body, but they bring variety, flavour and digestive comfort.

Detoxifying herbal teas offer a simple and natural way to support digestion and ease discomfort after meals. The use of herbs and spices plays a key role in detoxification. They are known for their health properties and their ability to provide warmth and comfort, while offering a delightful sensory experience.

What is a detox?

A detox is a diet reset that helps the body return to a healthier rhythm. It is not a miracle cure, nor a fast method for weight loss. It focuses on lighter meals, fresh nutrient-rich foods and temporarily reducing alcohol, sugar and saturated fats.

A detox can help digestion feel easier, reduce heaviness and restore energy. These effects mainly come from balanced habits, widely recommended by nutrition experts (source : Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics) rather than short restrictive programs.

Why prepare detox drinks?

Preparing detox drinks helps you maintain good habits every day. These teas bring hydration, digestive comfort and aromatic variety. They create a simple ritual to enjoy after a meal or during a mindful break. The plants used in these drinks offer gentle, non-aggressive effects, suitable for regular consumption and long-term routines.

Recommended plants and spices

• Star anise and long pepper: Star anise has a sweet, aniseed profile. Paired with long pepper, it creates warm, lightly spicy infusions ideal after meals.

• Turmeric and ginger: This aromatic duo brings colour, warmth and a subtle kick. Turmeric works well in powder form, best paired with a pinch of black pepper. Ginger, fresh or dried, adds a tonic citrus note.

• Moringa leaves: Light, herbal and rich in plant compounds. They make a soft, daily-friendly base for mild teas.

• Herbal spice blends: Blends enriched with wild cardamom deliver minty, aromatic notes, ideal to unwind after meals or at the end of the day.

• Hibiscus: Its red petals add a vibrant colour and subtle acidity. Perfect for refreshing herbal teas with a bright, fruity touch.

How to prepare an infusion?

• Choose quality ingredients: organic dried plants and fair-trade spices when possible.

• Respect infusion time: 5 to 10 minutes to release aromas without bitterness.

• Use the right water temperature: filtered water brought to a gentle simmer preserves purity and flavour.

• Drink regularly: 2 to 3 cups per day are enough to build a pleasant daily routine. Morning, daytime or after meals, choose what feels good for your body.

Tips to maximise flavour

Add a slice of lemon or a zest of orange for a bright note. Mix several spices to create new aromatic profiles: turmeric, ginger, star anise, hibiscus, cardamom, mint.

Prepare infusions ahead of time and store them in the fridge for refreshing drinks throughout the day.

Beyond herbal teas, you can bring detox spices into infused waters, light juices and gentle broths to vary textures and flavours. These drinks are easy to prepare and fit naturally into a balanced routine.

Spiced infused waters

In a jug of filtered water, add a tea ball filled with your favourite herbal blend. Let it steep for at least 24 hours in the fridge.

This cold infusion preserves the aromas and natural properties of the plants. The result is a refreshing, lightly flavoured water that helps you stay hydrated throughout the day.

Soft juices and smoothies

Blend mild fruits and vegetables like carrot, apple, cucumber, beetroot with a pinch of turmeric and ginger. For a warmer note, add a touch of cinnamon or ground cardamom.

Serve chilled. These gentle juices complement a balanced diet and highlight both the sweetness of the fruits and the aromatic power of the spices.

Light detox broths

Prepare a broth with vegetables such as carrots, courgettes and leeks. Add spices like star anise, cardamom and ginger.

Drink it alone for a warming, aromatic effect, or use it as the base for light soups. This broth is ideal on cool evenings or as a soothing break in a detox routine.

• Tip: store the broth in the fridge and reheat whenever needed.

Seasonal and regional variations for your herbal teas

Seasonal adjustments make detox drinks more enjoyable and easier to follow year-round.

• Summer: fresh mint, verbena or lemongrass bring a cooling feeling, ideal for hot days.

• Winter: warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, star anise and ginger make drinks comforting and aromatic.

These variations help diversify your herbal teas while enriching the sensory pleasure and encouraging consistency in your detox routine.

Your detox drinks can be enjoyed at different times of the day depending on your needs and rhythm.

• After meals: herbal teas help support digestion and bring gentle, soothing aromas.

• In the morning: a ginger and turmeric tea helps you wake up with a feeling of lightness.

• Throughout the day: infused waters or soft juices help maintain hydration with flavour.

• Before bedtime: a mint and cardamom infusion or hibiscus tea offers a calming moment before sleep.

The most important rule is to listen to your body and adjust frequency and combinations to what feels good for you.

1. Choose quality ingredients: Select organic dried plants and fair-trade spices when possible. Quality ingredients offer better aroma, colour and purity.

2. Respect infusion time: A steeping time of 5 to 10 minutes is enough to release flavour without bitterness.

3. Use filtered water: Filtered water preserves the finesse of the spices and ensures clean, bright flavours.

4. Drink regularly: Two to three cups a day is a simple and sustainable routine that fits into everyday life.

5. Vary your spices: Alternate turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, star anise, long pepper and cardamom.
This keeps flavours exciting and helps maintain long-term habits.

6. Add fruits or zests: Lemon, orange or fresh mint bring brightness and freshness to your detox drinks.

These small gestures make it easier to establish an everyday ritual that combines well-being and sensory pleasure.

Visual and sensory tips

To make your teas and juices even more enjoyable, play with colours, textures and presentation:

• Colours: hibiscus creates a ruby red tea, turmeric adds golden yellow, and mint brings vibrant green.

• Textures: add dried petals, slices of ginger or citrus zest for richer mouthfeel.

• Presentation: use transparent glasses to highlight colours. Add mint leaves, cinnamon sticks or lemon slices for an attractive finish.

These small details elevate the experience and help make detox routines more enjoyable and motivating.

Precautions and recommendations for use

Some spices used in detox drinks are powerful and should be enjoyed in moderation:

• Turmeric and ginger: limit if you have known gallbladder or gastric issues.

• Long pepper and cardamom: may irritate sensitive stomachs if consumed in large amounts.

• Star anise: avoid in high quantities during pregnancy.

These precautions follow EU health-claims regulations, which prohibit medical promises.
The goal is flavour and digestive comfort, not medical treatment.

How can I do a natural detox?

Choose fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes and regular hydration. Add teas and light broths with spices such as turmeric, ginger, star anise or long pepper for extra flavour. Natural cashew nuts make a balanced snack, providing protein and healthy fats.

What is the best herbal tea for liver support?

Teas made with turmeric, ginger, star anise or long pepper are ideal for supporting digestion. Adding cardamom or mint gives a refreshing touch. Enjoy them after meals or in the evening as a relaxing moment.

When should I drink a detox beverage?

• Morning: to wake up digestion.
• During the day: as a light, aromatic drink.
• After meals: to support comfort and reduce heaviness.