Slimming herbal teas: 5 do-it-yourself recipes to promote weight loss

Here's how to prepare home-made and fat burner herbal teas, based on natural herbs with depurative and diuretic action.

Slimming herbal teas can be a great help to lose weight in a natural way, they are made using herbs and plants that, thanks to their active ingredients, help burn fat and purify and drain the body, in addition to activating the metabolism. It is important, however, to emphasize that these do-it-yourself infusions should not be considered as quick solutions for weight loss: slimming herbal teas must be taken following a healthy and balanced diet, associated with regular physical activity. Before consuming them, it is also essential to contact a professionalwho will evaluate the situation on a case-by-case basis, also taking into account any pathologies and medication.

How slimming herbal teas work

Slimming herbal teas act thanks to their active ingredients that give these infusions thermogenic properties: they help to increase the metabolism, thus allowing to burn calories faster. Moreover, they are often composed of herbs rich in fibers that have a diuretic and laxative action, as well as purifying. These diuretic and purifying substances, together with the water used to prepare the herbal tea, are effective in promoting the elimination of toxic substances from the body, while also facilitating the loss of extra pounds. Furthermore, the fibers increase the sense of satiety reducing the absorption of fat and toxins from the intestine.

1. Herbal teas for weight loss: how to take them and for how long
Before seeing specifically which are the most effective slimming herbal teas and how to prepare them, it is important to know that, to obtain good results, you need to take between 1 and 3 cups of herbal tea a day for a period that can vary from 2 weeks to 1 month or even more, according to the doctor's instructions. You can take them immediately before or after the main meals, but also during a snack; in this way we will keep under control the sense of hunger. For a better weight loss effectiveness it would be better to drink the teas as they are, avoiding the use of sweeteners. Preferably buy herbs for herbal teas in herbal medicine shops and collect them only  in unpolluted places and if you know them well.

2. Mint herbal tea: it stimulates digestion and reduces hunger
The slimming herbal tea based on mint (especially peppermint) is a natural anti-hunger and it encourages the digestive process. Take it before the two main meals so as to reduce hunger, also improving digestion. To prepare a cup you need 1 tablespoon of fresh or dried mint leaves; if you use fresh leaves remember to wash them well before use. Boil the water, turn off and add the mint. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes with the covered cup. Finally filter and drink. Yerba Mate herbal tea: it burns fat and calms nervous hunger
Another excellent herbal tea to promote weight loss is the one based on Yerba Mate. It is a drink much consumed in South America, where it is drunk instead of coffee: it stimulates diuresis, calms nervous hunger and activates the metabolism, thanks to its thermogenic action, it also gives a feeling of energy that lasts all day. For the preparation of a cup you need 1 tablespoon of yerba mate leaves. Boil the water, add the yerba mate and let it infuse for 5 minutes and drink without filtering. Avoid taking this herbal tea in the evening if you have difficulty falling asleep.

3. Ginger and lemon herbal tea: it helps to increase metabolism
A perfect combination is the one between ginger and lemon, this slimming herbal tea is the best to stimulate the metabolism and to reduce the sense of hunger. Ginger also contains gingerol, which make it a thermogenic food, an excellent natural fat burner. The lemon instead fights water retention by eliminating abdominal swelling. To prepare the ginger and lemon slimming herbal tea, boil 200 ml of water, then add 6 slices of ginger and 1/2 lemon, both peel and juice. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes, filter and drink it. Take this herbal tea before main meals; in the morning it will also help to purify the body.

4. Hibiscus herbal tea: with diuretic action

Another infusion to drink to lose weight is the hibiscus herbal tea, also known as Karkadè or red tea. It is a plant native to tropical Africa, excellent diuretic and fat burning, and it does not contain caffeine, it can therefore be drunk even in the evening, without disturbing sleep. For the preparation, bring to the boil 200 ml of water, add 1 tablespoon of dried hibiscus flowers left to infuse for about ten minutes, filter and drink it hot or cold. If you prefer you can add a little lemon juice, especially if you decide to drink it cold, it will be even more refreshing.

5. Green coffee herbal tea: it helps reduce fat absorption

An effective fat-burning herbal tea is based on green coffee: it is actually the normal coffee that is harvested before it reaches full ripeness. In herbal medicine shops you can find it in grains or directly in single-dose sachets. Green coffee reduces the absorption of fats, thanks to methylxanthines, substances with a lipolytic action, while chlorogenic acid reduces the absorption of sugars from the intestine, speeding up the metabolism. If you buy the grains chop them with a blender or a coffee grinder, and put 1 teaspoon in a cup of very hot but not boiling water: the best temperature would be 80°C. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes, filter and drink lukewarm.

Side effects

Slimming herbal teas are natural remedies to be associated with a balanced diet and a regular (even moderate) physical activity. It is important, however, to consult your doctor before consuming them, especially if you are allergic to some herbs, if you take medicines or if you suffer from some chronic disease; in fact these herbs or plants could interfere with some medicines. Furthermore, daily use during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended. Pay also close attention to the herbs that you collect; just take them in unpolluted places and only if you know them well, otherwise buy them in herbal medicine shops or in a pharmacy.