Forget crazy last-minute pre-summer fasts and unhealthy restrictive cleanses. These detox teas contain buchu, a cool local plant which acts as a natural diuretic, helping the body flush out harmful toxins – without you having to live on liquified beetroot and vinegar.
Buchu also helps with poor digestion, constipation (finally!) and bloating. It’s a proven natural inflammatory, packs an antioxidant and bioflavanoid punch, and is loaded with polyphenols (cancer-busting miracle workers). Bonus: It also relieves insomnia and is caffeine-free.
READ MORE: 4 Teas You Didn’t Know Had Such Amazing Body Benefits
The best part? Simply include these iced and hot variations in your regular diet to reap all the benefits – no cutting out of food groups or gagging required.
The teas used here are available at Wellness Warehouse, Food Lover’s Markets at selected Dis-Chem Pharmacies, can be ordered through Pick n Pay, or visit BuchuLife.com for a stockist nearest to you. First up, the coolers…
1. Freshen Up
4 x Detox Tea Buchu Natural teabags in 1L boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes and let cool. Slice cucumber, strawberry and mint, then add to tea.
To serve, add lots of ice. No need for garnish on this one, but make sure you pour some of the berries and cucumber into the glass.
2. Fizz Up
4 x Detox Tea Buchu & Green Rooibos teabags in 500ml boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes and let cool. Pop into your garden – or your friend’s – and cut some fresh lavender. Add the lavender to your jug of hot tea and water, then steep.
To serve, add lots of ice, a dollop of honey and 500ml sparkling water or soda water. Garnish with a fresh sprig of lavender. You can get extra creative here and add in the tiniest amount of purple food colouring if you want.
(This one is a particular fave – you’ll like it so much you’ll soon be planting your own lavender, making your garden look super-cute, your pillow cases smell nice and keeping the bees satisfied.) Bonus: lavender helps with insomnia, anxiety, headaches, depression, allergies, the common cold, stress and skin irritations.
READ MORE: “I Tried Buchu To Control My Chronic UTIs – And It’s Changed My Life”
3. Citrus Cooler
4 x Detox Tea Buchu & Green Rooibos teabags in 1L boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes and let cool. Pop into your garden – or, again, your poor friend’s – and cut some fresh lemongrass. Add the lemongrass to your jug of hot tea and water, then let steep.
To serve, add lots of ice, a dollop of honey and a few slices of lime and orange.
4. Peaches & Tea-Tox
4 x Detox Tea Buchu & Ginger teabags in 1L boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes and let cool. Slice up some ripe, plump peaches, and add in a small amount of honey and a few slices of lemon.
To serve, add lots of ice. Garnish with a slice of peach and a sprig of thyme. Please try to use paper straws (try Green Home Paper Straws in a compostable bag, R10 at Faithful To Nature) – save the environment and make your teas look extra pretty.
READ MORE: These Are Officially The 8 Best Teas For Your Health
The next three are delicious hot on a cold morning, or to warm you up before bed.
5. Cinnamon & Apple
4 x Detox Tea Buchu & Cinnamon teabags in 1L boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes with sliced apple, whole cinnamon sticks, cloves and honey to taste. Garnish with a a twirl of orange rind.
6. Ginger & Pineapple
4 x Detox Tea Buchu & Ginger teabags in 1L boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes with sliced pineapple. Add a wedge of pineapple to garnish.
7. Lemon & Raspberry
4 x Detox Tea Buchu & Green Rooibos teabags in 1L boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes with raspberrries (a great source of vitamin C) and lemon slices. Garnish with a few raspberries.
