It’s the last day of our week long detox with Pukka! To celebrate what has been an amazing, healthy start to 2016, we sat down with Pukka co-founder and master herbalist Sebastian Pole to find out how we can incorporate detoxifying herbs and supplements into our diet all year round and why you should too! Read on for the lowdown…

How can herbs help our bodies to detoxify?

The main organ in our body that supports natural cleansing and detoxification is the liver. There are many effective plants that will boost liver functioning and enhance these processes and some of the best herbs for the job are those with a characteristically bitter taste. Plants with a strong green colour indicate the presence of chlorophyll, a natural antioxidant that protects our body from damaging free radicals.

What are your favourite detoxifying herbs?

Most bitter tasting herbs such as turmeric, neem, andrographis and classic green algae packed with chlorophyll such as spirulina and chlorella are the liver’s best friends, helping to aid detoxification. Aloe vera juice is also a great, potent cleansing and rejuvenating tonic. Use an Aloe Vera Juice which is 100% organic and made from the inner gel of the whole plant to make the most of your aloe. Finally, Ayurveda’s most renowned formula for cleansing the digestive system is triphala. Three Indian fruits, amla (high in antioxidants), haritaki and bibhitaki, remove toxins from the digestive tract.

How can we incorporate detoxifying herbs into our diets?

Topping up with dark, leafy greens and foods with a slightly bitter taste will boost liver functioning and stimulate natural detoxification processes. It’s also important to support a healthy circulation and encourage a healthy blood flow to re-energise and oxygenate the body. So, warming, stimulating and mildly spicy foods are also great during a detox. Avoiding mucus forming foods such as dairy and highly processed fats which are more difficult for the body to digest and breakdown, will also support a more productive detox.

What is the role that teas can play in the detoxification process?

Teas play an extremely important part in the detoxification process. Obviously drinking plenty of naturally caffeine and sugar free water helps us rehydrate, enabling our kidneys and liver to remove waste from our bodies. If it’s hot water then all the better. Drinking hot water strengthens our digestion and is a fantastic cleanser. Think of washing up: if you have a greasy plate and you use cold water, the fat will simply congeal. However, if you use warm water, the grease melts away.

Finally, adding the right herbs to your hot water further aids the cleansing process. Try infusing the beneficial properties of herbs like fennel, aniseed and nettle in your tea. Alternatively, green teas (which do contain caffeine, albeit in much lower quantities than coffee) are high in antioxidants which help protect cells in your body from free radical damage from exposure to chemicals, smoking and pollution.

How important is supplementation in a detoxifying regimen?

In an ideal world we would all be eating the right foods to help us cleanse. But it’s not always that easy. By incorporating supplements into our diets we can give our body a helping hand. If someone is new to detoxing, supplementation will steer them in the right direction, and if you are more experienced, it can help you to reach a deeper, stronger level of detoxification.

What supplements can we take to assist our bodies in the detoxification process?

 Pukka Clean Greens is the ideal solution for those who have perhaps never undertaken a cleanse before. A combination of 11 supergreens, Clean Greens is a gentle cleanser that is suitable for everyday use, helping the body keep on top of its daily cleansing and detoxification needs.

Clean Chlorella is especially effective in the removal of heavy metals and pollutants, supporting their detoxification from the body. It is a great option for those who are looking for a deeper detoxification.

Aloe vera is cooling, soothing and regenerative to hot and irritated tissues of the body, particularly the liver and the digestive tract. It will help optimise the functioning of both, whilst also protecting them from damage.

Wholistic Triphala is a combination of three fruits that optimise the health of the digestive tract. The three fruits are amla, bibhitaki and haritaki and in combination they both nourish and cleanse the digestive tract. Perfect after the indulgence of the festive season.

Can we use detoxifying herbs and supplements if we already have a healthy diet?

A healthy diet is key to optimal health. However, supplementation can be helpful if we want to give our body an extra boost. For example if we’ve been hit with seasonal colds or flu, or if we’ve over-indulged during a festive period.

What are some of the benefits that we can expect by incorporating detoxifying herbs and supplements into our diets?

Through supporting our body’s natural detoxification and cleansing processes, we are helping our body’s own ability to metabolise out excess wastes and toxins. This helps us feel more energised, enhancing our overall feeling of wellbeing.

Describe the perfect day of detoxifying using Pukka teas and supplements from morning to night…

Start the day with a cup of Detox and Lemon tea to stimulate the digestive juices and rehydrate. Before breakfast, mix Clean Greens powder with a little Aloe Vera juice to support your body throughout the rest of the day. Keep yourself topped up with a little Aloe Vera after each meal if you feel your digestion needs a little extra helping hand. Drink plenty of warming herbal teas throughout the day. Detox is a good choice but if you want a mild caffeine boost, Pukka Matcha Green tea is a fantastic antioxidant booster. Before bed take Wholistic Triphala to rejuvenate your digestion and get it ready for the next day ahead.

For more on the benefits of herbs in Ayurveda, read Sebastian Pole’s book A Pukka Life – A guide to food, yoga, lifestyle and general wellbeing advice to suit your dosha type – we love!

Interview by Zsa Zsa Vella

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A 100% organic blend of 11 different super-greens, including wheatgrass, spirulina, chlorella and sea greens, Pukka’s Clean Green powder will help you feel incredible as it supports the body in coping with the polluted environments of the modern world that so many of us live in.

Due to the number of different super greens present, the powder offers a vast array of benefits – Wheatgrass contains a lot of chlorophyll, which is antibacterial so works as a natural healer, as well as improving blood sugar problems and helping to purify the liver; Spirulina is made up of 65% protein and amino acids and also contains anti-inflammatory essential fatty acids; Chlorella can be of help if you’re experiencing poor-digestion and bloating – it works to balance your gut flora by promoting the good bacteria in your gut; Sea greens not only provide your body with a comprehensive range of essential nutrients, but also provides trace elements which help your body to absorb more nutrients from the other foods in your diet; Kale sprouts are packed with beneficial compounds, in fact, kale is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. Not only does it have anti-cancer properties, but it’s also a vitamin C powerhouse, helping to keep your immune system healthy as well as stimulating collagen production to give you strong bones and supple skin – and that’s just the effects of five of the eleven ingredients!

Supplements can vary greatly in quality, and some may even be lacking in the natural phytochemicals of the herbs (the crucial protective, disease-preventing part) – unfortunately this means your supplement may actually contain no nutritional value whatsoever!! Luckily, there’s no need to worry when choosing Pukka, as they use only the highest standard of herbs which have been checked to ensure the right level of compounds such as essential oils, polyphenols and flavonoids are present – these not only make the products taste brilliant by adding body and richness to the flavour, but will also ensures you’re receiving all the powerful superfood goodness of the plants.

The powder is so versatile to use, you really can sprinkle it on anything and everything! Drink it straight up, just mixed with water, or simply add to your usual juice or smoothie. If you’d rather change things up a little, then stir some into your morning porridge or chia pudding. Try blending with dried fruit, nuts and seeds to create delicious green raw energy bars, you could even experiment with making green pancakes or healthy cupcakes by mixing some of the powder into the batter! So with the new year already underway, make 2016 your year to go green, feel fabulous and celebrate healthy living with Pukka Clean Greens.

Words by Meryn Turner

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Here at Hip & Healthy HQ we are herbal tea hedonists. We adore our daily cups of warming and nourishing plant-based goodness, but it’s not only for their delicious taste and the lovely comforting feeling they induce. Pukka teas offer a whole host of additional health benefits all in your daily cuppa. Read on for the teas we turn to for a healthy mind, body and soul…

For a leaner bod… Pukka Detox + Detox w Lemon 

The two teas we’re making sure to make the most of during our cleanse this week is Pukka’s Detox and Detox with Lemon teas. Brimming with cleansing superstar ingredients such as sweet aniseed, crisp fennel, sweet liquorice, peppery coriander and cleansing celery seed, this tea has been designed to support your body in ridding of unwanted toxins, soothe the digestive tract and get your body functioning at its optimal level – crucial for a flat tummy and weight management.

For long-lasting energy… Supreme Matcha Green 

If you’re yet to switch from your daily cup of coffee to matcha tea, detox week is the perfect time to do so! Whilst we love treating ourselves to a frothy matcha latte, when we’re feeling like something a little lighter with just as much of an energizing kick, we turn to Pukka’s supreme matcha green tea. A mix of matcha powder blended with the goodness of three fairly-traded whole leaf greens for an added boost of antioxidant rich nourishment, try this in the afternoon when you start to feel your energy flagging for a healthy pick-me-up.

For a strong immune system… Lemon Ginger + Manuka Honey

One of our favourite all-natural immune boosters, Pukka’s Lemon, Ginger & Manuka Honey tea is our cold weather essential. A spicy-sweet blend of sun ripened whole Sicilian lemons, slow-dried ginger root, FairWild elderflowers and a velvety kiss of manuka honey, this deliciously soothing winter warmer not only boosts the immune system to ward off flues and colds, but is a great tea to take when experiencing dreaded winter viruses thanks to its superchargerd array of cold-busting ingredients.

For a calm mind… Three Tulsi 

Dubbed ‘Holy Basil’ in India, Tulsi is a sacred herb known for its mind uplifting and body calming properties, three tulsi is our go-to tea tonic during busy times (or simply when we crave that zenned out feeling). Featuring green tulsi to sweep away inward clutter, purple tulsi for uplifting the spirits and zesty lemon tulsi to inspire you onwards, Three Tulsi has been created by Pukka’s Master Herbsmith Sebastian Pole to help bring out the best version of you – we love!

For a heart full of love… Love

When we’re feeling in need of a little soul nourishment, there’s nothing that hits the spot more than Pukka’s Love Tea. Featuring natures gift of FairWild flowers paired with a touch of rose to fill your heart and chamomile and lavender to soothe your soul, this fresh and fragrant tea has been made with love, dedicated to love and called love to inspire that warm and fuzzy feeling within us all. If we’re having a bad day or in need of a gentle pick-me-up, this sweet, loving tea is what we turn to.

Words by Zsa Zsa Vella

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