One of the best ways to avoid junk is by consuming green leafy vegetables. We like cilantro because it’s relatively cheap for a large organic bunch. It’s best to juice the entire part of the plant. Studies have shown that the herb can help the body chelate (bind to) heavy metals and encourages the body to excrete lead. It’s also possible that cilantro can help to balance blood sugar in the body. Here's a list of other veggies and how they support detox:
Parsley contains vitamin C and folic acid and helps to regulate the immune system according to studies. Like cilantro, it also can help the body chelate (bind) to heavy metals to get them out of the body.
Kale is high in antioxidants and phytonutrients kaempferol and quercetin which can help neutralize inflammation and support the immune system.
Spinach has nutrients like vitamin A, C, K1, iron, calcium and folic acid amongst others. You’ll barely taste it when you add it to fruit smoothies and it’s supportive in the detox process.
Celery contains vitamin C and K and minerals like folate and potassium. It’s possible that celery reduces inflammation in the gut and helps with heart health.
Wild greens are packed with at least 5x the nutrients than the greens that are purchased at the grocery store. Commercial agriculture, chemical fertilizers and pesticides are the reason for the major decline in nutrient density of commercial crops. When people forage wild greens, they are not only connecting themselves to their local flora, allergens and pollen, but they are also providing their body with many absorbable nutrient. If you can’t forage your own greens, try to buy from a local farmer who practices regenerative agriculture so your body can receive the most benefit from the food you ingest.
Dandelions and milk thistle are some of one of our favorite liver detoxing herbs. The sad part is, they’re “weeds.” What this means is that each year, the United States uses nearly 80 million pounds of pesticides on our lawns. It also means that people who spray their properties with pesticides are depriving themselves and potentially others of free and accessible medicine. Dandelions and thistle can be foraged readily, but only when people don’t spray their lands with pesticides.
One of the reasons dandelions are so good for the body is because they have a taproot that goes deep into the ground, allowing it to absorb beneficial minerals that other plants cannot. Each part of the plant has different amino acids making the whole plant a complete protein. According to the Wild Wisdom of Weeds by Katrina Blair, “Dandelion holds the title as the royalty of weeds. Its medicinal values are vast and extensive! In Traditional Chinese Medicine, dandelions, also known as pu gong ying, are an herb that cools the blood and dispels liver wind. it helps clear heat and toxicity that arises from excess fire in the body. Dandelions are utilized as a blood cleanser, tonic, and digestive aid.
The entire part of the dandelions is edible and medicinal. They contain vitamin A, C, E iron, magnesium and calcium. They can be foraged any time of the year as long as they haven’t been sprayed with pesticides.
Here’s a yummy recipe for dandelion pesto:
2C fresh dandelion greens
1C raw cashews
3 TBS lemon juice
3 cloves garlic
1/2 cup organic sunflower oil
1C basil or mixed garden herbs like French sorrel, mint, parsley and oregano
1C water
1TSP salt
Blend all the ingredients together until it makes a creamy texture. Enjoy over pasta, zucchini noodles, beets or in a a salad.
Here's a recipe for dandelion lemonade:
1C fresh flowers
1 lemon, peeled
a pinch of ginger
1/2 apple (optional)
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