What tea can you drink on Master Cleanse?
The Master Cleanse, also known as the Lemonade Diet, is a liquid fast that involves drinking 6-12 glasses per day of a lemonade-like concoction for a period of 10 days to detoxify the body and promote weight loss. Only certain teas are allowed while on the Master Cleanse to avoid stimulating digestion. Here is an overview of the allowed teas and how they can support your cleanse.
Overview of the Master Cleanse
The Master Cleanse was created by Stanley Burroughs in the 1940s and involves drinking 6-12 glasses per day of the following lemonade-like mixture:
- 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tbsp grade B maple syrup
- 1/10 tsp cayenne pepper
- 8 oz water
In addition to the lemonade drink, you can also have a laxative tea at night and herbal teas during the day. The cleanse usually lasts for 10 days but can be extended up to 40 days for more dramatic weight loss.
The purpose of the cleanse is to:
- Detoxify the body by flushing out toxins
- Give digestion a rest
- Promote weight loss
- Improve energy and focus
Allowed Teas on Master Cleanse
The following teas are allowed while on the Master Cleanse:
Laxative Tea
A laxative tea is recommended each night before bed to stimulate bowel movements and flush out toxins from the digestive tract. Options include:
- Senna Leaf Tea – Senna contains anthraquinone glycosides that stimulate the colon.
- Smooth Move Tea – Contains senna along with licorice root, sweet orange peel, and ginger.
- Yogi Detox Tea – Contains senna leaf along with a variety of herbs for detoxification.
Herbal Teas
A variety of caffeine-free herbal teas can be consumed during the day on the Master Cleanse. Options include:
| Tea | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Peppermint | Reduces bloating and other GI complaints |
| Ginger | Eases nausea and improves digestion |
| Dandelion | Natural diuretic helps flush out toxins |
| Chamomile | Calms the mind and soothes the stomach |
| Cinnamon | Helps regulate blood sugar |
| Fennel | Reduces bloating and gas |
Herbal tea should be consumed cold or at room temperature to avoid stimulating digestion with hot liquids.
Teas to Avoid on Master Cleanse
The following teas should be avoided during the Master Cleanse:
- Black tea – Avoid due to the caffeine content which can stimulate digestion.
- Green tea – Also contains caffeine to avoid.
- Yerba mate – Too much caffeine.
- Chai tea – Contains spices that may irritate the stomach.
- Kombucha – May cause gas and bloating.
- Rooibos tea – Has a laxative effect to avoid.
Any tea that tastes sweet should also be avoided, as it may trigger cravings and hunger. Stick to blander herbal teas instead.
The Benefits of Drinking Tea on Master Cleanse
Here are some of the key benefits of drinking the allowed teas while on the Master Cleanse:
- Keep you hydrated – When only consuming liquids, herbal tea provides hydration without extra calories.
- Ease detox symptoms – Teas like ginger and peppermint can reduce side effects like nausea and GI distress.
- Promote bowel movements – Senna-based laxative tea stimulates the colon to keep you regular.
- Control hunger – Drinking tea can help satisfy feelings of hunger between lemonade drinks.
- Boost flavor – Tea adds flavor and variety so you don’t get bored drinking only lemonade.
Tips for Drinking Tea on Master Cleanse
Here are some tips to get the most out of drinking tea while on the Master Cleanse:
- Drink at least 1-2 cups of herbal tea per day in addition to the lemonade mixture.
- Sip tea slowly instead of gulping it down.
- Try different herbal tea flavors to prevent taste fatigue.
- Brew a large batch of laxative tea and refrigerate to drink each night.
- Avoid using sweeteners like sugar, honey or stevia in your tea.
- Drink chamomile tea before bed for a soothing, relaxing effect.
Sample Tea Schedule
Here is an example of how you could incorporate tea into your daily Master Cleanse routine:
| Time | Drink |
|---|---|
| 8 am | Hot lemon water (to stimulate digestion) |
| 10 am | Master Cleanse lemonade drink |
| 12 pm | Dandelion tea (to flush toxins) |
| 2 pm | Master Cleanse lemonade drink |
| 4 pm | Peppermint tea (to reduce bloating) |
| 6 pm | Master Cleanse lemonade drink |
| 8 pm | Senna leaf laxative tea |
Conclusion
Drinking certain herbal teas can provide variety and additional detoxification benefits while on the Master Cleanse. Just be sure to avoid any teas that may stimulate digestion like black, green or chai tea. Focus on cool, soothing teas like peppermint, ginger and chamomile. Drinking laxative tea each night is also key to get those toxins moving out. Sipping herbal brews throughout the day can make the liquid fast more enjoyable and support your detoxification goals.
