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8 Spices to Supercharge Your Detox Water

Spices aren’t only beneficial in adding flavor to your foods (although they are obviously great for this reason, too), but they can also supercharge your detox water. Detox water is simply clean, filtered water that has been infused with one or more vegetables, fruits, herbs and/or spices to make your hydration routine just a bit more exciting (and provide extra health benefits, like decreased bloating and weight loss). Drinking plenty of water is of utmost important for your health, so why not supercharge all that water you’re drinking, already?

Not sure how much water you should drink per day? Check out this article.

Without further ado, let’s look at the top 8 spices to supercharge your detox water.

Turmeric

Turmeric comes from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, and has been used for centuries in ancient Chinese and Indian systems of medicine. This slightly bitter tasting plant has been extensively studied for its myriad of health benefits, and is used in both food and supplement form.

Turmeric is well researched for its anti-inflammatory properties, its effectiveness as a powerful antioxidant and its unique abilities to improve cognitive function and lower cholesterol (1).

Ginger

Ginger is truly one of the healthiest spices in the world, and has also been used medicinally in countries around the world. Its spicy flavor mixes well with water (especially hot water), and it provides some truly incredible health benefits. The top reasons to choose ginger in your detox water is to reduce inflammation, fight nausea and/or stomach upset, improve digestive function and fight infections, as ginger is a powerful anti-bacterial (2).

One great way to incorporate ginger is to boil the root (chopped) in clean, filtered water (remember that most city drinking supplies contain toxins), for about 10-20 minutes, removing it and sipping with lemon juice and a touch of raw honey.

Rosemary

You can smell the piney sweetness of rosemary from the next block, and not only does it make a perfect addition to roasted veggies or chicken, but it can also pack a serious nutrient punch when added to your detox water.

Rosemary has been shown to boost the immune system, improve circulation and support healthy digestion. Interestingly, it is also helpful in the treatment of asthma attacks, as it contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties (3).

Cayenne Pepper

Want to spice up your detox water (literally)? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to not only add spice, but impressive health benefits. The primary ingredient, capsaicin, in this chile pepper has been shown to boost weight loss by reducing appetite and increasing fat burning (4). But the benefits of cayenne don’t stop there, it has also been studied for its ability to fight certain types of cancer (5).

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is an excellent spice for blood sugar regulation (and is even used in diabetes treatments and support), and also offers a heavy dose of antioxidants that fight inflammation (6). However, the most incredible health benefit gained from cinnamon is its ability to lower blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity (7).

Cinnamon also tastes delicious when added to detoxifying and hydrating coconut water.

Peppermint

Another fantastic spice to add to detox water (especially in its oil form) is peppermint, which is known to relieve symptoms of digestive discomfort/dysfunction as well as fighting nausea. Studies show that peppermint can help individuals with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) by relaxing the smooth muscles of the colon (8). On a more superficial level, peppermint is cool and relaxing on a hot day.

Mix peppermint with cucumber for an award winning detox water combination.

Holy Basil

Holy basil is an herb that does differ from regular or Thai basil, and is a powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent (9). This medicinal herb has also been shown to help treat anxiety and anxiety-related depression (10). You can find holy basil in both leaf and oil form.

Sage

Sage is most known for its ability to support cognitive (brain) function, and especially in people with Alzheimer’s disease. In one study of 42 patients with Alzheimer’s, sage extract was found to significantly improve brain function and memory (11).

To properly infuse your detox water with these healing herbs and spices, simply muddle them (using a mortar and pestle if you have it, or just the back of a spoon) until they are slightly broken, and add to your filtered water. Then place in the refrigerator for at least one hour, giving the spices a chance to sit in the water.