Regular physical activity combined with a balanced diet are prerequisites for the proper functioning of the body. It is generally recommended to consume between 1 L and 1.5 L of water daily, it’s the queen of draining beverages!
Body drainage is one of the pillars of naturopathy. It should help support the action of our organs specialized in eliminating the waste present in our body, whether they are related to our body’s metabolism or come from our diet.
They are called emunctory organs: the liver, the kidneys, the lungs and the skin. The kidneys, for example, eliminate waste via urine.
Many draining beverages are available commercially. But it is very easy to make your own homemade draining beverage. Here is the top 5. Read on after the list to learn everything about body drainage and the methods to carry it out.
1. Dandelion infusion
Son nom évoque son action diurétique ! Aussi appelé “dent-de-lion”, le pissenlit est une plante dépurative et diurétique. Il a une action protectrice sur le foie comme le suggère cette étude menée sur des souris. Il est aussi parfois employé comme laxatif pour soulager la constipation.
How to prepare it: you can find commercial preparations made from all parts of the plant—leaves and roots, or roots only. Leaves are generally prepared as an infusion for about ten minutes in water and the roots by decoction followed by infusion.
2. Matcha
The matcha is obtained by grinding green tea leaves. A small particularity: the tea plant leaves are covered several weeks before harvest. Matcha stimulates the liver and helps it eliminate toxins. It’s a leading detox drink you can sip to help drain the body! This study shows its protective effect on the liver and kidneys.
How to prepare it: choose organic matcha. To prepare it, pour water heated to 80 °C into a bowl and add one teaspoon of matcha. Whisk with a special bamboo whisk if you have one, or with a simple fork otherwise, and you’ll have a draining and stimulating drink.
3. Birch sap
The birch sap comes from the bark of the European birch. Its composition gives it a cleansing and diuretic action. The phenolic acids it contains are compounds that have an effect on drainage. And betuloside, another of its compounds, has a diuretic effect.
How to consume it: fresh birch sap is available in spring. Stabilized birch sap keeps longer. Preferably choose organic and 100% pure sap. You can flavor it with ginger or turmeric, two detoxifying plants.
4. Bissap
A delicious draining beverage. The bissap is a drink made from hibiscus flowers. With a high water content, this beverage promotes the body’s drainage. The pectin it contains is responsible for its purgative action. This study shows its effect on weight loss in mice.
How to prepare it: bissap juice has a slightly tart flavor. It can be found particularly in health food stores. You can also prepare your own drink by boiling water, dried hibiscus flowers, and optionally a sweetener and flavorings.
5. Burdock decoction
Burdock is also nicknamed “tree of the ringworm-afflicted” because of its use against ringworm, a disease of the scalp. Burdock root purifies the blood and rids it of its toxins. It also promotes better blood circulation as shown by this study.
How to prepare it : the benefits of the plant are concentrated in its roots. Fresh root should be preferred. To prepare the decoction, boil roots in water and strain the preparation.
What is body drainage?
According to the Larousse Médical, the term drainage refers to the removal of liquids or gases that are retained in the body.
In naturopathy, the emunctories are organs that filter waste present in our body. This waste can come from cellular activity (endogenous waste). It can also come from our diet — for example, from alcohol consumption or pesticides present on the plants we eat (exogenous waste).
The liver, the kidneys, the lungs and the skin are the four emunctories that allow the elimination of waste. Body drainage helps support the waste-eliminating action of these emunctories.
How do draining beverages work?
Detoxify the liver with liver-stimulating plants
One of the major functions of the liver is the filtration of waste. For example, it filters substances produced during poor digestion or heavy metals that may be present in the foods we ingest.
Also read 20 foods to protect and cleanse your liver
The liver is therefore capable of performing detoxification; however, an excess of waste in the body can lead to liver congestion and require appropriate drainage.
To do this, you can use plants whose liver-stimulating properties have been proven, such as dandelion, in a draining beverage.
Support kidney function by using diuretics
Like the liver, the kidneys also act as a true filter. By secreting urine, they purify the blood and rid it of certain substances considered waste. Among these wastes, for example, is uric acid, which in excess can be a symptom of kidney failure.
Also read Natural diuretics, our best detox friends
So-called diuretic drinks are beverages that stimulate urine production and therefore promote the elimination of the body’s waste. Green tea is among the most effective!
Combat water-based cellulite with draining beverages
Cellulite affects most women. It is caused by an imbalance in the hypodermis, a deep layer of the skin rich in fat. There are several types of cellulite, including water-related cellulite. It is particularly linked to water retention and can cause a sensation of heavy legs.
To counter water retention, you can consume specific plants such as birch sap.
