Since the environment in which we live makes it impossible for us to maintain a pristine lifestyle, regular cleansing is essential.

Detoxification involves dietary, supplemental and physical interventions.  It usually focuses on one or more of the main organs of detoxification, the liver, kidneys, bowels, lungs or skin.  There is also a subsection of homeopathy called homotoxicology that focuses on cellular cleansing.  This article will focus on the major organs of detoxification.  See a health care professional for information on homotoxicology.  For information on heavy metal detoxification see the section on mercury toxicity.

General detoxification guidelines are given here.  Then specific interventions for each organ will be examined.

CAUTION: Cleansing can result in worsening of symptoms or an alteration of medication levels and is not safe for some individuals.  Consult a health care professional before detoxifying.  You may experience some of the following symptoms during cleansing; flu-like symptoms, fatigue, irritability, headache, diarrhea or loose stools or food cravings.  These are signs that your body is mobilizing toxins.  They will diminish in severity as the cleanse progresses.  Taking in sufficient water and doing the physical therapies listed below will help your body to excrete these toxins.

Your body needs a variety of vitamins, minerals, and other molecules so that it can process and excrete toxins.  It is important for you to help your body by giving it a variety of fresh and nutritious foods.  These suggestions are intended as a guide.  Do not consume any food that you are sensitive to even if it is listed here.

AVOID: packaged or fast foods, coffee, black tea, chocolate, alcohol, white sugar, salt, condiments, tobacco, dairy products, fried food, preservatives or artificial sweeteners.

CONSUME: 2L of filtered water daily, herbal teas and 100% pure fruit juices.  Eat fresh or steamed fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, fish, soy products, nuts, seeds, cold pressed vegetable oils and spices.  Drink a glass of warm water with the juice of half a lemon each morning.  This simple act will regulate bowel and liver function.

PHYSICAL THERAPIES:

Moderate physical exercise increases circulation and helps the body to eliminate toxins.  Reduce your stress level because stress is an additional burden on the organs of detoxification.  Brush your skin daily (towards the heart) with a natural fibre brush.  This stimulates the immune system and increases circulation.

At the end of your shower alternate several rounds of hot and cold water (30 second to 1 minute intervals) always ending with cold.  This hydrotherapy treatment increases the immune system and aids in detoxification.

Sauna treatments will also increase the effectiveness of detoxification but make sure to increase your fluid intake to avoid dehydration.

Fasting

Fasting has been performed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years as a treatment for many physical conditions.   Restricting food intake allows the body to redirect much of its energy away from digestion to focus on cellular regeneration and detoxification.  As fat stores are mobilized hidden toxins are released and can be processed by the body.  Fasting is usually done for a period of three to ten days.  Shorter durations cleanse the body while longer durations both cleanse and heal the body.

Prepare for fasting by eating only raw fruits and veggies for two days.  During the fast consume at least 2L of steam-distilled water each day along with diluted fruit and vegetable juices.  Up to 2 cups of herbal tea can also be added.  Come out of fasting by eating raw fruits and vegetables for another two days.  The use of supplements during fasting is up to the individual.  If you suffer from blood sugar problems include a protein supplement in your fasting regimen.

Recommended juices: lemon, apple, beet, cabbage, carrot, celery, cranberry, grape, green drinks.

Recommended herbal teas: alfalfa, burdock, chamomile, dandelion, echinacea, milk thistle, pau d’arco, peppermint, red clover, rose hips, slippery elm.

Bowel Cleansing

A back up of fecal matter in the colon allows toxins to be reabsorbed into the system.  Therefore cleansing of the colon itself is important but colon function is also important when you are cleansing any other organ.

Follow the general guidelines for detoxification and consider the appropriateness of a fast.  The following supplements can be used during colon cleansing.  Adult doses are given.

Herbal teas: To heal – calendula, fennel, peppermint, slippery elm, To detoxify – burdock, horsetail, To flush – barberry, cascara sagrada, senna, triphala, To remove mucus – elecampane, fenugreek, yarrow, To eliminate parasites – clove, garlic, wormwood  (CLICK SUPPLEMENT NAME FOR PRODUCTS).