Consult your doctor before using any health treatment — including herbal supplements and natural remedies — and tell your doctor if you have a serious medical condition or are taking any medications. The information presented here is for educational purposes only and is in no way intended as substitute for medical counseling.
Struggling with skin problems, aches and pains, or digestive problems? Can't seem to lose weight? It might be time for a BODY DETOX.
DETOXIFICATION is about resting, cleaning and nourishing the body from the inside out. By removing and eliminating toxins, then feeding your body with healthy nutrients.
Detoxifying can help protect you from disease and renew your ability to maintain optimum health.
How does detoxification work?
Basically,detoxification means cleaning the blood. This is done by removing impurities from the blood in the liver, where toxins are processed for elimination. The body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymph and skin. However, when this system is compromised, impurities aren't properly filtered and every cell in the body is adversely affected.
A detox program can help the body's natural cleansing process by:
1. Resting the organs through fasting;
2. Stimulating the liver to drive toxins from the body;
3. Promoting elimination through the intestines, kidneys and skin;
4. Improving circulation of the blood; and
5. Refueling the body with healthy nutrients.
"Detoxification works because it addresses the needs of individual cells, the smallest units of human life.
2. Stimulating the liver to drive toxins from the body;
3. Promoting elimination through the intestines, kidneys and skin;
4. Improving circulation of the blood; and
5. Refueling the body with healthy nutrients.
"Detoxification works because it addresses the needs of individual cells, the smallest units of human life.
DO I NEED A DETOX?
suggestion are that everyone should detox at least once a year. However,
I cautions against detoxing for nursing mothers, children, and patients with chronic degenerative diseases, cancer or tuberculosis. Consult your health care practitioner if you have questions about whether detoxing is right for you.
Detoxing for symptoms such as:
- Unexplained fatigue
- Sluggish elimination
- Irritated skin
- Allergies
- Low-grade infections
- Puffy eye or bags under the eyes
- Bloating
- Menstrual problems
- Mental confusion
HOW DO I START TO DETOX MY BODY?
Let us first, lighten up your toxin load. ELIMINATE alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, refined sugars and saturated fats, all of which act as toxins in the body and are obstacles to your healing process. Also, minimize use of chemical-based household cleaners and personal health care products (cleansers, shampoos, deodorants and toothpastes), and substitute with natural alternatives.
Another deterrent to good health is stress, which triggers your body to release stress hormones into your system. While these hormones can provide the "adrenaline rush" to win a race or meet a deadline, in large amounts they create toxins and slow down detoxification enzymes in the liver. Yoga, Oigong and meditation are simple and effective ways to relieve stress by resetting your physical and mental reactions to the inevitable stress life will bring.
Which detox program is right for you?
There are many detoxification programs and detox recipes, depending on your individual needs. Many programs follow a 7-day schedule because, "it takes the body time to clean the blood." Most program involves fasting on liquids for two days, followed by a carefully-planned five-day detox diet to allow the digestive system to rest. I recommends a 3-7 day juice fast (drinking only fresh fruit and vegetable juices and water) as an effective way to release toxins.
Here are our five favorite detox diets:
Here are our five favorite detox diets:
1. Simple Fruit and Veggie Detox
2. Smoothie cleanse
3. Juice Cleanse
4. Sugar Detox
5. Hypoallergenic Detox
After a detoxification program, you can cleanse your body daily with these diet, supplements and lifestyle practices:
1. Eat plenty of fiber, including brown rice and organically-grown fresh fruits and vegetables. Beets, radishes, artichokes, cabbage, broccoli, spirulina, chlorella, and seaweed are excellent detoxifying foods.
2. Cleanse and protect the liver by taking herbs such as dandelion root, burdock and milk thistle, and drinking green tea.
3. Take vitamin C, which helps the body produce glutathione, a liver compound that drives away toxins.
4. Drink at least two quarts of water a day.
5. Breathe deeply to allow oxygen to circulate more completely through your system.
6. Transform stress by emphasizing positive emotions.
7. Practice hydrotherapy by taking a very hot shower for five minutes, allowing the water to run on your back. Follow with cold water for 30 seconds. Do this three times, and then get into bed for 30 minutes.
8. Sweat in a sauna so your body can eliminate wastes through perspiration.
9. Dry- brush your skin or try detox foot spas / foot baths to remove toxins through your pores. Special brushes are available at natural products stores.
10. What is the most important way to detoxify? "Exercise," says Bennett. "Yoga or jump-roping are good. One hour every day." Also try Qigong, a martial-arts based exercise system that includes exercises specifically for detoxifying or cleansing, as well as many other exercises with specific health benefits.
1. Eat plenty of fiber, including brown rice and organically-grown fresh fruits and vegetables. Beets, radishes, artichokes, cabbage, broccoli, spirulina, chlorella, and seaweed are excellent detoxifying foods.
2. Cleanse and protect the liver by taking herbs such as dandelion root, burdock and milk thistle, and drinking green tea.
3. Take vitamin C, which helps the body produce glutathione, a liver compound that drives away toxins.
4. Drink at least two quarts of water a day.
5. Breathe deeply to allow oxygen to circulate more completely through your system.
6. Transform stress by emphasizing positive emotions.
7. Practice hydrotherapy by taking a very hot shower for five minutes, allowing the water to run on your back. Follow with cold water for 30 seconds. Do this three times, and then get into bed for 30 minutes.
8. Sweat in a sauna so your body can eliminate wastes through perspiration.
9. Dry- brush your skin or try detox foot spas / foot baths to remove toxins through your pores. Special brushes are available at natural products stores.
10. What is the most important way to detoxify? "Exercise," says Bennett. "Yoga or jump-roping are good. One hour every day." Also try Qigong, a martial-arts based exercise system that includes exercises specifically for detoxifying or cleansing, as well as many other exercises with specific health benefits.
RECIPE FOR HOMEMADE DETOX FOOT BATH
Use a simple container from your home that's large enough for both of your feet to fit comfortably.
To prepare a detox foot bath, first visit your local health and nutrition store to purchase an herb packet specifically for foot detoxification. If you can't get to a health food store, or can't find the right herb packet , you can try common ingredients found in your own cabinets, such as tea, dried hot peppers, garlic, ginger or dried citrus fruit peels. Tea (green tea, regular tea or any of the specialty herb teas) is especially effective, and can also help eliminate problematic foot odor caused by toxins. Experiment with a combination of any or all of these ingredients.
Then, mix your store-bought or home-made herb concoction with very hot water (about the same temperature as a hot tub) in your foot bath. Soak your feet for 25 minutes -- relax and enjoy
Look radiant in 24 hours, luminous in 48, and positively sparkly in 72. This step-by-step detoxification plan from "The Little Book of Detox Tips for People on the Go" includes one-day, two-day or three-day variations on the natural body cleanse and includes seven detox recipes.
1-day cleanse for radiance
Whether you use this body detox as a regular radiance boost or because you’ve just had a weekend of rich food and too much alcohol, you’ll find it’s really worth the effort—just take a look in the mirror 24 hours later to see the difference.
On waking A large glass of hot water with a thick slice of organic unwaxed lemon
Breakfast A large glass of hot water with a thick slice of organic unwaxed lemon; a large glass of Radiant Juice; a mug of nettle tea
Midmorning A large glass of hot water with a thick slice of organic unwaxed lemon
Lunch A large glass of Tomato Juice with Garlic and Green Onions; a mug of mint tea
Midafternoon A large glass of hot water with a thick slice of organic unwaxed lemon
Supper Mango, Kiwi and Pineapple Juice; a mug of nettle tea
Evening Carrot and Beet Juice
Bedtime A mug of lime-blossom tea
2-day cleanse for radiance
Start by following the 24-Hour Cleanse for Radiance regime. On Day 2 have:
On waking A large glass of hot water with a thick slice of organic unwaxed lemon
Breakfast A large glass of hot water with a thick slice of organic unwaxed lemon; a large glass of Radiant Juice ; a mug of nettle tea
Midmorning A large glass of hot water with a thick slice of organic unwaxed lemon
Lunch A glass of Radiant Lemonade; a mug of mint tea
Midafternoon A large glass of hot water with a thick slice of organic unwaxed lemon
Supper A large bowl of fresh fruit salad, to include apple, pear, grapes, mango, and some berries—but not banana; a handful of raisins—chew them very slowly—and a handful of fresh, unsalted cashews; a mug of mint tea
Evening A large glass of hot water with a thick slice of organic unwaxed lemon
Bedtime A mug of any reputable brand of chamomile tea with a teaspoon of organic honey
3-day cleanse for radiance
When you wake up on day 4 after this cleansing regime, your body will feel lighter, your system cleaner, and your eyes and skin will have a sparkle and luster you haven’t seen in ages. You’ll also be overflowing with all the protective antioxidants you need and you’ll almost certainly have lost more than 2 pounds in weight.
Start by following the 48-Hour Cleanse for Radiance regime. On Day 3 have:
On waking A large glass of hot water with a thick slice of organic unwaxed lemon
Breakfast A large glass of hot water with a thick slice of organic unwaxed lemon; fresh fruit salad—a mixture of any of the following: apple, pear, grapes, mango, and pineapple and any berries, with 2/3 cup plain yogurt with live bacteria and a tablespoon of unsweetened muesli; a cup of weak Indian tea or herb tea midmorning 6 dried apricots; a glass of fruit or vegetable juice
Lunch Watercress Soup with a chunk of crusty wholewheat bread, no butter; a cup of weak Indian tea or herb tea
Midafternoon An apple and a pear
Supper Zucchini Pasta; a salad of tomato, onion, and yellow bell pepper; a cup of weak Indian tea or herb tea
Recipes
1 large eating apple, quartered
1 orange, peeled but with some pith
2 large carrots, topped, tailed, and peeled if not organic
1-inch piece of fresh gingerroot, peeled and sliced
1 orange, peeled but with some pith
2 large carrots, topped, tailed, and peeled if not organic
1-inch piece of fresh gingerroot, peeled and sliced
Put all ingredients into a blender or food processor and whiz until smooth.
8 large tomatoes
2 fat bulbs green onions, trimmed
4 large sprigs basil
6 large springs oregano
2 fat bulbs green onions, trimmed
4 large sprigs basil
6 large springs oregano
Roughly chop the tomatoes and green onions and put into a blender or food processor with the leaves from the basil and oregano. Whiz until smooth.
1 large ripe mango, pitted
4 kiwifruit, peeled
1 medium pineapple, top removed
4 kiwifruit, peeled
1 medium pineapple, top removed
Simply put all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and whiz until smooth.
4 carrots, topped and tailed
4 medium beets
3 large sprigs basil
4 medium beets
3 large sprigs basil
Put the ingredients into a blender or food processor and whiz until smooth.
Vitamin A is essential for healthy, radiant skin and you’ll get it in abundance from the carrots in this juice. The bonus comes from the radishes—their natural constituents stimulate the cleansing function of the liver, making this the perfect juice when you’ve been a bit overindulgent or your digestive system seems slightly sluggish.
1 large carrot, topped, tailed, and peeled if not organic
10 radishes, topped and tailed
1 apple, quartered
1 beet, topped and tailed
juice and finely grated zest of 2 lemons
up to 1-1/4 cups naturally sparkling mineral water (optional)
10 radishes, topped and tailed
1 apple, quartered
1 beet, topped and tailed
juice and finely grated zest of 2 lemons
up to 1-1/4 cups naturally sparkling mineral water (optional)
Juice the first 4 ingredients. Add the lemon juice and zest. If you want a longer, fizzy drink, add the mineral water.
Watercress is one of the truly great radiant foods. It's hugely antioxidant, especially protective against lung cancer, and rich in iron, which makes it a key to inner beauty.
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 bunches watercress, with stems
1 quart vegetable stock
3/4 cup plus tbsp. plain yogurt with live bacteria
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 bunches watercress, with stems
1 quart vegetable stock
3/4 cup plus tbsp. plain yogurt with live bacteria
Heat the oil in a large saucepan and sauté the onion gently until soft. Add the garlic and continue to cook for 2 minutes. Add the watercress and continue to cook gently until it wilts. Add the stock and simmer for about 10 minutes. Transfer to a blender or food processor and whiz until smooth. Serve hot or cold with a swirl of yogurt in each bowl.
14 oz. thin pasta, such a spaghettini
4 medium zucchini, grated
1-1/4-inch piece fresh gingerroot, grated
4 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
4 tsp. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
4 green onions, finely chopped
1-1/2 cups bean sprouts
4 medium zucchini, grated
1-1/4-inch piece fresh gingerroot, grated
4 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
4 tsp. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
4 green onions, finely chopped
1-1/2 cups bean sprouts
Cook the pasta in a saucepan of boiling water according to the package directions. Transfer to a large serving bowl and mix in all the other ingredients. Serve immediately.
