Section 2: DETOX DEMYSTIFIED - FROM THE INSIDE OUT, NOT THE OUTSIDE IN
-Detoxification Plans and Strategies
-Herbal and Natural Products
-Cleansing, Cleaning, Flushing and DETOX Basics
Detox diets are another way to clean, clear and cleanse your body. It is a popularize way commonplace , mainstream and more and more acceptable, toted and advocated as the thing to do for and with your body to ensure health. IT IS NOT ABOUT LOSING WEIGHT PER SE AS THE FIRST AND FOREMOST GOAL, yet people do tend to lose weight while getting rid of the toxin build up. You are encouraged to partake of natural and healthy foods MORE often, rather than unhealthy, empty calorie consumption of unhealthy foods and snacks. Try to cut down on the following: cigarettes, alcohol, coffee, eating foods with saturated fats and refined sugars (cola and ketchup contains a lot) - these acts as toxins in your body and as a hindrance to your healing development.
Typically detoxification procedures involve liquid type diets and pretty much nothing else, initially and generally systematically introduces back into the diet, the other foods and chemicals again, to ensure that your body is back in balance and healthy. You can have shock and withdrawal, even cravings while on the DETOX.
Here are some positive ways DETOX can contribute and have an effect on your life, health and body:
-A detoxification process and cleansing can do a lot for you – there are many benefits and rewards, including added energy, generally feeling healthier with more vitality and spunk.
-It is toted to cure, prevent diseases, keep you focused and energized.
-These positive effects some attribute to the effective and total elimination of toxins and harmful build-up of certain substances in your body that is broken down and gotten rid of.
-Mostly these types of interventions are supposedly short to medium term and not stuck to for an extended period.
-AGAIN, IT NEEDS TO BE EMPHASIZED, THAT DETOX IS NOT A WEIGHT LOSS TOOL FIRST AND FOREMOST (although some have been highly effective in losing weight while detoxifying their bodies).
When DETOX IS NOT GOOD…
-Fasting, restrictive diets
-Not seen as suitable for young growing children or athletic or highly active teens
-Diabetics and/or less than optimal healthy individuals should proceed with caution PRIOR to detoxifying for any extent of time.
-The euphoria and rewards you experience while and after detoxifying, could very easily have you wanting more and doing it again and again.
-Extreme caution is advised, as it could be detrimental to your health and well-being if this became your lifestyle.
-Taking laxatives (sometimes part of the processes suggested) might lead to some, any or all of the following:
- other complications
- mineral imbalances
- digestive system issues
- dehydration
- Addictive type behaviors and bad habits
- Water and muscles loss over time
- slowing down your metabolism
- losing , maintaining and controlling weight could become MORE difficult
-Balanced living and healthy nutrition needs to prevail. These processes demand you eat healthy foods like
- lean meats
- eggs
- beans, or peas
- calcium
- low-fat or fat-free milk
- yogurt
- lots of water daily
- fiber
- fruits
- veggies
… and many others
You will experience the MOST success initially and in the beginning of your detoxification process, as your body re-establishes its original and preferred balance – its optimal, ultimate state and functioning! But it does depend on each unique individual, as no two people will have the same experience with DETOX. This is another important aspect to remember as you venture out on your own journey.
There are many ways to detox the body. It is up to you to choose which suits your lifestyle and preference. Here are some detox plans you can consider:
- Juice fasting
Drinking only fresh fruits and vegetables juices such as carrot, spinach, celery, cabbage, apple, and cranberry (avoid citrus fruits). An effective way of discharging toxins, it also provides plenty of nutrients as well as enzymes to lessen the intensity of the cleansing process to an easy stage.
Duration of juice fasting is usually 1-3 days. Medical administration and careful assessment is required for longer fasting.
- Water fasting
Only water is consumed during a water fast. Water lets the digestive tract and organs to rest completely, allowing all of your energy to self-repair and strengthen damaged organs. It also eliminates toxin build-ups.
Water fasting not only eliminates obstruction and aids in self-healing, it is also revitalizing and motivating to make a fresh start.
Sample Detox Recipe
Dr. Kiki Sidhwa recommends going on a monotrophic diet after a three-day fast. By monotrophic, we mean eating only one type of fruit for every meal. Example, for breakfast, you can eat apple. For lunch, try out oranges or pineapples. Eat until your hunger is satisfied. You can squeeze in a grapefruit juice at around 4 pm for your snack. And in the evening, eat only apples, pears, grapes or bananas.
Of course, this is just one of the do-it-yourself diet plans that you can take on when you are on a detox program. For most people, however, detox recipes are the best way to go. These detox recipes are especially designed to provide you with the necessary nutrient in the body and at the same time, providing you with the necessary antioxidants and substances that will cleanse your body from toxins.
For more fluid intake, you can try Ginger Healing Tea with Turmeric. What you need are the following:
2 cups of water
½ teaspoon of powdered ginger
½ teaspoon of turmeric
½ tablespoon of maple syrup and lemon extract
To make your special healing tea, add powdered herbs to boiling water and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Strain the tea into a mug and add maple syrup and lemon extract. Stir and whalaaah--- you can start drinking!
For breakfast, you can try the Vegetable Super Juice. This juice gives you the needed energy boost for your senses, wakens your digestive system and can keep you going until lunchtime. You need:
1 whole cucumber
4 celery sticks
2-4 handfuls of spinach
8 lettuce leaves
You can also add other green vegetables like parsley and fresh alfalfa sprouts. The process is easy and simple, juice all ingredients and add distilled water. You can also add lemon juice for better taste.
And now for lunch, try the Alkalizing RAW Soup. All you need are:
1 avocado
2 spring onions
½ red or green pepper
1 cucumber
2 handfuls of spinach
½ clove of garlic
100 ml of light vegetable Bouillon
lemon or lime juice and Bragg Liquid Aminos for added taste.
Just like our vegetable juice, the recipe is simple and easy to do. Blend the avocado and stock to form a light paste. Add other ingredients and blend. And then you can start eating!
Our dinner treat is Warm Broccoli Soup. All you need is:
½ avocado
6-8 broccoli heads
1/3 red onion
1 celery stick
a big handful of spinach inch of root ginger
cumin and Bragg liquid amino for added taste.
Lightly steam the broccoli for 5-6 minutes. After steaming, blend all the ingredients together and add garlic and pepper to taste. This is perfect for a cold winter night.
Feeling hungry still? These recipes are just few of the hundred other detox recipes available. You can find many more detox recipes at the cookbook section of your local book stores. The Detox Cookbook and Health Plan by Maggie Pannell is a good book with many more delicious recipes designed for detox diet. The key of detox recipes is to pack yourself with enough water and nutrients to keep you going without ingesting a plateful of additives, sugars, and food preservatives.
Here are gentler ways to detox your body that you can try out or incorporate different methods as part your routine.
1. Change in diet
Eat whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables instead of packaged and fast foods that are high on fats and sugar can become part of your daily lifestyle in maintaining good health.
2. Sauna
The sauna is widely used by many cultures as a regular part of detox. It is a great method of removing chemicals buildups in fat cells. Saunas are usually combined with diet, exercise, and nutritional supplements.
3. Skin brushing
Again, with the combination of diet, exercise, and nutritional supplements, skin brushing is also a gentle way of detoxing. It removes old skin cells, stimulates the lymph system and draws out toxins through the skin. A dry skin brush made of soft vegetable bristles should be used.
Before taking a shower, lightly brush your feet in circular motion towards the chest area for a minute or two.
4. Yoga.
Through breathing exercise, the bloodstream thoroughly oxygenates thus giving energy and improves the body’s physical process. Different positions lightly massage the internal organs and stimulate them to slowly discharge toxins.
5. Massage therapy.
It is very useful in supporting detox programs. It stimulates body functions and elimination promoting a more relaxed feeling clearing you from worries, tensions, and mental stresses.
6. Recharging, relaxing, and resting.
This is important in the rejuvenation process. It helps your body in rebalancing your attitude and mind, which sometimes interferes in natural homeostasis. Practicing yoga is a powerful exercise related to breathing regulation and awareness helping you to obtain a more balanced and active aura.
Using Herbs as Your Home Remedy for Body Detox
The following herbs that have known to be effective for many years can be used as a home remedy. These are the natural way of body detoxification.
- Psyllium seeds and husks contain high fiber, which can gently act as a natural laxative. You can utilize it by soaking the seeds in water. Psyllium is generally considered as adaptogenic which supports the healthy function of your bowel. It is also useful in treating diarrhea and other irritable bowel diseases. It is a very good choice for body detoxification since its gelatinous substance after soaking absorbs toxins.
- Hydrangea root and the Joe pye weed (gravel root) helps in preventing, dissolving, and expelling stones and crystals in the bladder and kidneys. It is good to keep your kidneys free from any obstructions to stay in good working condition essential in effective elimination of toxins.
- Cascara Sagrada is used also as natural laxatives. It could be safe even for longer duration of usage where it strengthens your colon muscles.
- The barks of Alder buckthorn are also used, but it must first be dried and be stored for at least one year since its fresh barks are so strong which can be considered toxic.
- Juniper berries also promote the urinary system’s overall health. It detoxifies and strengthens your urinary tract, bladder, and kidneys. It is excellent for cleaning purposes but prolonged usage is not recommended because it can cause some overtaxing in your kidneys.
- Nettles also have detoxifying properties which can be extended not just in your urinary system. Nevertheless overusing it can display similar effects as the juniper berries.
- Burdock seeds and roots are similar to nettles. It has mild and cleansing diuretic action but has stronger effects. Heavy metals inside your body can be removed by using burdock.
- Basil, cypress, celery, grapefruit, lemon, fennel, rosemary, thyme, and patchouli contains essential oils effective for flushing out toxins underneath your skin and stimulating circulation of your lymph.
- Dandelion root and milk thistle help in cleansing and strengthening your liver. Milk thistle has silymarin which does not only protect your liver but helps in regenerating itself. Dandelion root helps in removing waste products from your gallbladder and kidneys.
Body Wraps, Herbal treatments and other therapeutic and cosmetic Procedures
These are the most popular outside-in type processes to assist the body in getting rid of toxins and build up. You can literally take off inches off your body, improve tone, tighten skin, improving look and texture, appearance and appeal! The promise and potential of that is too much for most to pass up on. It lures us in closer, wanting MORE!
Homemade or professionally done, they will have great benefits and help you relax. Many detox body wrap or herbal treatment use formulas including mineral clays and some natural sea salts. Professional salons and spas often use MORE complex ingredients and additions of essential oils.
Choose from a wide array of available essential oils and herbs including:
- Alfalfa leaf powder,
- chamomile flower powder,
- grapefruit,
- ground basil,
- Lavender,
- lemon,
- lemongrass,
- olive oil
- rose petal powder,
- rosehip powder
- rosemary,
- sage,
- sandlewood,
A homemade gel-wrap recipe
1 cup mineral clay
1/4 cup sea salt
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 cups water
Method/Procedure:
1. Boil water.
2. Dissolve the salts.
3. Mix and blend the other ingredients in.
4. Stir with rigor and make a paste.
5. Rub over the whole body and cover yourself with a sheet or thin towels.
6. Soak in a warm bath for 45-60 minutes
7. Rinse .
Things to bear in mind to optimize your DETOX:
In general to boost the effectiveness and results of this procedure and treatment, avoid caffeine, sugar, fried fatty foods, soda drinks, and alcohol directly following and a couple of days after. YOU WILL SEE AND FEEL THE DIFFERENCE.
It can be messy and take long, so divert your attention and make it practical and comfortable.
Stay hydrated and you can even take a shower before the procedure in order to prepare your skin for what is to come.
Thermal blankets can enhance the experience and wrapping somewhat tight (NOT TOO TIGHT) can do the trick!
Many would also advise that a great way to rejuvenate and detoxify is to take a steaming hot epsom salt bath.
As part of this process, the harmful toxins or build up is excreted out of the body by natural processes and organs, like the skin to get rid of it for good. It helps with easing swelling and enriches your skin. This is not recommended for sufferers or patients with high blood pressure, heart, diabetic or kidney troubles.
Medications, supplements and other herbal, natural products to consider for detoxification
Apart from naturally occurring nutrients and good detox-enablers, like:
Whole foods
other natural products and substances
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Greens or phytochemical-rich foods and groups
Foods that protect you against cancer, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure
Antioxidants, there are also supplements and pills to consider – also for DETOX processes and results.
In our pop the pill type culture and habits, it is so easy to think that there is a magic bullet for everything. A tablet or capsule, gel-tab, mixture or potion for everything under the sun – ailment and cure!
Sometimes we do not eat enough, eat the wrong things, too much, not a balanced diet, food on the run, and then take multivitamins and mineral supplements to ensure that we get our daily dose of what our bodies require. Others who may benefit include seniors and pregnant women.
TIPS and recommendations for choosing, using and tapping into natural or herbal supplements for DETOX and healthy living
-Be SMART about which ones you take
-Be sure to check the expiration dates to ensure potency and results
-Do not overdose or take more than the recommended amount
-DO NOT USE EXPIRED products.
-Ensure you know the source, manufacturer, contents, label
-High doses of certain elements can have negative effects on the body
-Interference and interactions with other things that you might be taking
-List the active ingredients and all other fillers, additions or other ingredients nutrients and dosage
-Look at the details on the label regarding its strength, purity, disintegration and dissolution.
-Marketing ploys, promises and packaging is not what you end up putting in your body – treat with skepticism, care and caution.
-Serving, size and storage
-Store and keep out of reach of children, non-humid and high-up is best.
-Supplements may not be suitable for all individuals, those suffering from certain illnesses.
-They are BEST taken in addition to diet and nutrients, NOT MERELY AS substitutes.
-They are not good replacements for real food.
-You need to know what and why you are taking supplements
You can find natural detox supplement by clicking here.
In the environments we live and function in, there are many contaminants present that we need to cope and deal with effectively to avoid their build up interfering with our health, well-being, longevity and balance. WE need to rid our systems and bodies of it and this is often called detoxification as we have seen. Anyone and everyone can do it, if you proceed with caution. Polluted air, additives in our foods, pesticides on our fruits and veggies, genetically altered food and more need to be clean, cleared and cleansed from our systems, tissue and being!
You do not have to believe that your intestines, colon, and blood stream are at risk or somehow plugged up with toxins, but there seems to be evidence that there is MORE of it in our systems than before. Fasting, laxatives and flushes are quite common BUT they are not necessarily good for you and could put you at risk if you do not understand the processes, goals and functioning of this "cleaning out of the system."
People follow the routes and rewards of detox for different reasons:
Health
Rejuvenation
Healing
Weight loss…
All of the above can be done and taken, pursues for the WRONG reasons to do it, MORE-SO if you focus on what DETOX does primarily is get rid of waste and build up – that is the key here, not these byproducts or bonuses. There are numerous products and service offerings in the marketplace that tote and advocate success through :
GROUP 1: Fasting and liquid diets - Mixtures of liquids are taken with combinations of different kinds of herbal capsules. Typically water, lemon, honey mix. According to this method, DETOX in this way helps you -cleanse the digestive tract of accumulated waste and putrefied bacteria, clean out the major organs and blood
-give mental clarity
-lessens chemicals and food additives
-This is followed by a regimen of diet pills taken in combination for a prolonged period of time body wraps and some exercise
-Teas with elderberries and birch-juniper, combined with diet pills
-Tea and tablets combinations containing ginger, prickly ash, yellow dock, cascara sagrada, psyllium and uva ursi for rejuvenation.
-Colon-cleansing pills and related diet products
-Appetite suppressants
-Drinks, mixes, product lines and pills (natural herb blends, teas and other), to fight off the build—up and negative effects of tobacco, alcohol and pollution on and in our bodies.
-Claims of pills to cleanse and heal and have you lose weight
GROUP 2 : curing disease and gaining your health back
Toxins can be dealt with and detoxification can make you healthy again
Fear, irrational and unscientific claims sometimes make these processes less effective.
The Clean, Clear and Cleansing Plan for Tissues and cells, body and system (parts and whole)
If you take your health and well-being seriously, detoxification offers great ways for you to eliminate toxins and unhealthy substances in your body, prevent new ones from making its way in there and keep/stay on top of your optimal shape, functioning and peak performance.
There are plans designed specifically to assist you with this undertaking. It can be spread over several days (typically seven or so, full days) where you eat nothing at all. When you feel hunger, you drink tea and peel-potato or vegetable broth, even diluted fresh fruit juice while you are on this types of flush-liquid diet.
Here is one example of a typical daily routine for detoxification:
Upon waking – 1 x Cleansing Drink
Within 30 minutes take supplements with flaxseed drink and 2 tblsp. Liquid calcium or powder
Around 10 AM – 1 x cleansing drink
Take supplements with herbal tea (no sugar added) Around 2 PM 1 x cleansing drink
Afternoon herbal tea with supplements
4 & 7 PM 1 x cleansing drink
Bedtime calcium, cod liver oil OR supplements
As you go through this detoxification process there are several things to watch for
-cleanse to start taking effect and gain momentum
-Diarrhea
-dizziness
-Gas
-Headaches
-muscle pain
-Nausea
-skin breakouts