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.
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be LoveRayna Howe347-641-WELL (9355)
Holistic Health Consultant
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