"Detoxifying Naturally"

Mind, Body & Spiritual Health Series #3 (2009) "Detoxifying Naturally"

I had a couple of people ask me about Detoxing so here are 2 articles, one explaining detoxing (more than just the bowels) and another talking of some great detoxing herbs that build the body systems while eliminating waste. There is also a link for a cleaning liquid fast. I hope you learn something about the detox fad lol and it becomes a part of your life. You should do it twice a year especially in the spring when foods are supposed to get lighter because fruits harvest instead of grains & try to fast like 1 day a month at least. Detox Diet Basics From Cathy Wong, N.D.,Your Guide to Alternative Medicine. What is a detox diet? The purpose of detox is to neutralize and eliminate any compound in the body that can be toxic. Detox is a natural process occurring on a continual basis in the body, but because of the modern diet, the enormous number of chemicals we ingest daily, and the increase in chronic degenerative diseases, many people believe that regular detox is necessary. A detox diet strengthens the organs involved in detox and releases stored toxins, expelling them through the organs of elimination: the skin, intestines, liver, lungs, kidneys and lymphatic system. A detox program may consist of a special diet, nutritional supplements, herbs, hydrotherapy, exercise, breathing techniques and/or sauna. Where do toxins come from? A toxin is a compound that can harm the structure or function of body cells and tissues. Toxins can come from the environment (alcohol, tobacco, pesticides, heavy metals such as mercury, food additives, oral contraceptives, and drugs). The body, during its normal functioning, forms by-products that could also have toxic effects if the body didn't neutralize them. Can't the body handle these toxins on its own? Many people in the medical community still see detox as a treatment for drug or substance addiction only. However, the rising prevalence of diseases such as cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, attention deficit and hyperactivity (ADHD, ADD), and autoimmune disease plus the fact that there are few long-term studies on the cumulative health effects of all sources of toxins in our environment make periodic detox diets a prudent preventative measure. In addition, we have to factor in the role that stress, sedentary lifestyles, use of prescription drugs and hormone therapies, and the increasing proportion of dietary fast food, saturated fats, salt and sugar play in our body. What health conditions benefit from a detox diet? Detox diets are believed to: help prevent disease, especially when someone has prolonged exposure to chemicals or hormones (such as oral contraceptives) improve symptoms of low energy, joint pain, headache, pain, premenstrual syndrome, unhealthy skin, anxiety and irritability, frequent colds, heartburn, constipation, and gas. treat disease such as autoimmune disease, multiple chemical sensitivity, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, digestive disorders, heart disease, arthritis, attention deficit, and other chronic degenerative disease. I have some of these symptoms. How do I start? It is important to see a primary health care practitioner, such as your family physician, for a thorough assessment of your symptoms to ensure that you do not have a medical condition that requires treatment. Even serious disease, such as cancer, can present with seemingly minor symptoms such as fatigue and back pain or may only be detected by lab tests during routine physical examination. How do I choose a detox method? If you are trying a detox for the first time, it is best to start with a gentle cleanse. Detox diets can target the different organ systems involved in detoxification: the skin, liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs and lymphatic system. In general, it is usually recommended that you begin with the intestines. The reason for this is if you focus on the liver first, the stored toxic substances that are released from the body tissues may become reabsorbed if the bowels are not moving adequately enough to expel them and can monitor your progress throughout the program. A natural health care practitioner can design a program that suits your needs by targeting specific organ systems. For example, a person with a skin condition may benefit from a program that addresses the liver, intestines, and skin. How frequently should I detox? Detox diets are generally recommended 1 to 2 times a year for general health improvement and prevention. For treatment of a specific condition, health practitioners may recommend it more frequently or may recommend a prolonged, supervised detox program. Detox diets are best done in the warmer months, and they are usually not recommended more than three times per year. What results will I notice? In general, people notice improved energy, improved skin condition, regular bowel movements, improved digestion, and increased concentration and clarity. Improvement can also be assessed by measuring markers of disease, severity of symptoms and laboratory tests. What should I do after I finish the diet? A detox is a cleansing and eliminating process. After it is over, it is beneficial to rebuild and tonify your body with nutrients that support the function of the organs that have been cleansed. In addition, some of the practices that you learn during the program can be continued as a regular part of your lifestyle. Is there anyone who should not try a detox diet? People with kidney disease, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, heart disease, cancer or other serious disease should only attempt a new program with the supervision of a qualified health practitioner. Should I stop my medication during a detox? No. Do not stop taking any medication without consulting the prescribing doctor or your family physician. Are there any side effects of this diet? Some people may experience headache, acne, weight loss, or fatigue during a detox. These symptoms usually diminish after a few days. For this reason, many people take time off work to begin a detox or start the diet on a Friday night. ©2004 About, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www. about.com/ "Detoxifying Herbs and Herbal Combination's" by: Lisa Leger **The Essiac Formula** Most well known herbal tea for cancer, recipe from the Ojibwa Indians via a Canadian nurse an alterative for degenerative conditions Note: Don't obsess over the formula or brewing technique. Don't rely completely on this or any other remedy; the use of Essiac should be one part of a combined effort to detoxify the body and restore healthy cellular elimination. Dr. Kaur recommends that people with breast cancer take Essiac throughout the year and alternate back and forth between the Hoxsey Formula and a Lymphatic Formula. For prevention, she suggests using one of the three formulas each year for 2-3 months as a cleanse. Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella) marked influence on degenerative tissues, traditionally used for fevers, scurvy, and inflammation, the leaf tea is a folk remedy for cancer (no modern studies have been done), the fresh roasted leaves were used to poultice tumors and cysts because of its high oxalic acid content, it should be avoided in kidney disease and arthritis Burdock root (Arctium lappa) depurative (blood cleanser) and bitter (stimulates bile flow) promotes detoxification of kidney, liver, and bladder, stimulates digestion and promotes bile flow dissolves deposits, removes lymphatic congestion, helps break down tumors, clears toxins, reduces infection, inflammation, relieves swelling Slippery elm bark (Ulmus rubra) soothing demulcent, emollient, nutritive, and antitussive (cough supressant), used to treat inflamed mucous membranes like ulcers, or colitis traditionally used as a poultice to treat hard tumors and swellings Turkey rhubarb root (Rheum palmatum) laxative and purgative, helpful in treating constipation, promotes intestinal cleansing, used in China to treat high fevers avoid if suffering from arthritis, kidney disease of urinary problems and during pregnancy **Liver Tonics** Any herbal manufacturer will have a liver tonic formula including such herbs as: Dandelion, Burdock, Nettles, Red clover, Barberry, Burdock, Artichoke, Sarsaparilla, Yellow dock, Milk thistle. Generally the herbs are bitters, alteratives, and choleretics. They work by cleansing the blood and liver to aid detoxification. It is a perfect spring tonic for everyone. **Lymphatic Cleansers** Marigold flower (calendula oficinalis) supports liver, heart, uterus, skin, veins, lymphatic system and blood, clears toxins, reduces infection and inflammation, relieves swelling, removes lymph congestion, reducing tumors, cysts and cancer of the reproductive organs, breasts and intestines, stimulates digestion and reduces liver congestion Goldenseal root (Hydrastis canadensis), stimulates immunity, helpful in bacterial, fungal, amoebic, and parasitic infections, reduces tumors of reproductive organs, breasts, and stomach should not be used for more than three weeks at a time Cleavers (Galium aparine), promotes detoxification, dissolves deposits, removes lymph congestion , reduces tumors and liver congestion, dissolves clots, specific action on tumors of the skin, lymph, and breasts never boil the herb, use freeze-dried or tincture form. Echinacea root (Echinacea augustifolia) reduces infection and inflammation, stimulates immunity, promotes detoxification, removes lymph congestion, reduces tumors, increases interferon, promotes tissue repair **The Hoxsey Formula** A blood and liver alterative (cleanser), activates the cleansing functions of the liver antiseptic, anti-tumor, and antioxidant activity, helps to alter catabolic tissues and replace diseased tissue with healthy tissue, enhances metabolic functions and promote drainage and elimination, used to break down and remove metabolic wastes from the body used for lymphatic congestion, tumors, cancer, glandular blockages Red clover blossoms (Trifolium pratense) blood cleanser used to treat skin conditions Buckthorn bark (Rhamnus cathartica) stimulant and cathartic, used as a laxative and bitter tonic for digestive problems Barberry root bark (Berberis vulgaris) corrects liver function, promotes bile flow, treats gall bladder inflammation and stones, used to reduce enlarged spleen from congested liver and cleanses eliminative system Burdock root (Artium lappa) stimulates bile flow and aids liver function Stillingia root (Stillingia sylvatica) alterative (cleanser), acts on lymphatic and secretory systems Poke root (Phytolacca americana) cleanses the lymphatic glands, used to treat mastitis Caution: large doses are emetic and purgative (causes vomiting) Cascara sagrada bark (Rhamnus purshiana) laxative, treats constipation, promotes peristalsis, tones digestive muscles Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) anti-hepatotoxic, treats hepatitis and cirrhosis, expectorant and anitinflammatory, used in cough and bronchitis Prickly ash bark (Xanthoxylum clava-herculis) stimulates the circulation, lymphatic system, and mucous membranes, treats ulcers and skin diseases References: Naturopathic Handbook of Herbal Formulas, Herbal Research Publications, 1995. Historical Perspectives: Essiac, Canadian Journal of Herbalism, 1991. Handouts produced by Sat Dharam Kaur, N.D., for The Healthy Breast Class, 1997. Here is a Liquid Cleansing Fast http://www.rexdonald.com/diet-programs/liquid-diet.htm I hope you learned something new and you can implement it in your life If you found this Info helpful or interesting please comment and I will post more articles. What would you like to hear about? be LoveRayna Howe347-641-WELL (9355) Holistic Health Consultant LMT, USUI Reiki Master Registered Karuna Reiki Master ® Certified Theta Healing Practitioner ® Certified Sacred Energy Practitioner www.seatofthemoon.tk guruwannab@gmail.com