Zendo tea is an herbal diet tea manufactured by the Tadin Corporation. Like many diet teas, Zendo contains senna, an Asian herb known for its laxative and diuretic properties. Though many people champion Zendo tea for its weight loss effects, medical professionals warn that using even natural laxatives as a means to shed unwanted pounds can be dangerous. Eat healthy foods and drink lots of liquids during your Zendo tea regimen to minimize the diet's negative effects.
Ease into the diet by drinking a diluted tea solution for the first two days. Pour 4 cups of boiling water over one Zendo tea bag and steep the tea for three minutes. Drink 1 cup of the diluted tea in the morning and at bedtime.
Place one Zendo tea bag in a cup or mug. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the tea bag and let it steep for two to three minutes. Drink 1 cup of the full-strength tea each day for no more than 10 days. Drink the tea at bedtime so that any laxative effect occurs the following morning.
Follow a low-fat, low-calorie diet that's packed with healthy carbohydrates and lean proteins. Eat 500 fewer calories per day to encourage weight loss, according to FamilyDoctor.org.
Get in at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity each day. Walk briskly, jog, jump rope or do jumping jacks to get your heart rate up and burn calories.
Drink at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water per day to stay well-hydrated during your Zendo tea diet. Substitute up to two glasses of water with glasses of 100 percent juice or unsweetened teas if desired.
Tip
Take potassium supplement tablets during your Zendo diet to counteract the tea's potassium-reducing effects.
Warning
Talk to your doctor before using Zendo tea to lose weight; this is particularly important if you are taking channel blockers or other prescription medications. Zendo tea contains senna, an Asian herb that is not recommended for children, women who are pregnant or nursing, and people who suffer from heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, abdominal hernias, hemorrhoids, ulcers, anemia, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Prolonged use of Zendo tea, and other teas containing senna, may be hazardous to your health. Discontinue use of the tea and contact your doctor if you experience nausea, severe abdominal pain, diarrhea or dizziness.
References
- "Lose Weight, Have More Energy and Be Happier in 10 Days"; Peter Glickman et al.; 2011
- The Right Tea: Senna Tea
- Family Doctor: What it Takes to Lose Weight
Writer Bio
Megan Mattingly-Arthur has been writing professionally since 1998. She has contributed to various publications, including "Teen Voices" and "Positive Teens" magazines, as well as a book, "The Young Writer's Guide to Getting Published." Mattingly-Arthur is studying travel and tourism through Penn Foster Career School.
