Herbal
Detox: Different Ways to
Detoxify Your Body
Herbal Detoxification
By Ted H. Spence
DDS, ND, PhD/DSc, MPH
Introduction to detoxification
Detoxification comes in many forms and refers to many
different programs that cleanse the body of toxins.
Today, our environment is toxic and the foods we eat,
even the air we breathe and the water we drink is laden
with chemicals foreign to our system. Therefore,
everyone is undergoing some type of detoxification to
maintain life and health. Although basic detoxification
begins with diet, detox programs may include nutritional
fortification for the liver, lungs, kidneys, bowels and
blood.
We will soon see why these organs are so important in
detoxification. Detoxification for the body may refer to
the cleansing of the bowels, kidneys, lungs, the liver
or the blood, since these are the organs involved in
detoxification of chemicals and toxins from the body.
The liver acts as an "in-line" filter for the removal of
foreign substances and wastes from the blood. The
kidneys filter wastes from the blood into the urine,
while the lungs remove volatile gases as we breathe.
Our body is designed to utilize natural substances,
which includes foods, herbs and phytochemicals. Any
foreign substance will serve as a stimulus to our immune
system, which has the function of removing these
substances. Although the toxicity of a chemical may
vary, it is the job of the liver to reduce toxins into
compounds that the body can safely handle and eliminate
through the kidneys (as urine), skin (as sweat), lungs
(as expelled air) and bowels (as feces). Maintaining
these eliminative organs in good working order is
essential for one's good health to continue.
While there are many detoxification programs available,
they differ in their actions and their intent. Some
detoxification programs (DP) work only with the bowels,
others may cleanse the liver or the blood, and others
may aid the kidneys or the skin in their functions. By
combining these detox programs into a total health
program, one can effectively restore their health to an
optimal level and look younger in the process. When the
body can eliminate toxins, then health is restored and
energy and vigor are revitalized. Many different
approaches to detoxification and wellness will work,
even though they attack the problem at different levels.
Any program that augments detoxification will improve
health. Other factors must be considered in
detoxification, like nutrition, water, and exercise,
rest, sunshine, and fresh air.
Detoxification Diets
Detoxification diets help the body to eliminate
toxins in many ways. First, natural vegetarian diets
include the fiber needed for stimulating good bowel
eliminate. They also contain the proper amounts of
vitamins that feed and nourish the bowels and the liver,
as well as other eliminative organs. They also include a
valuable source of enzymes since most vegetarian diets
are eaten raw. The elimination of meat from the diet for
a short period enhances detoxification because meat is
so difficult to digest and requires many enzymes for its
digestion. Therefore, vegetarian diets are cleansing
diets and aid the body in elimination of toxins.
Of course, changing diets and lifestyle is easier said
than done for some people. Many people want health and
will go to any length to improve their health, including
dietary changes. But there are others who do not want to
change their life style for anything. These people will
be difficult to motivate and will not stick with the
detox programs for one day. They may not want to give up
their sodas, or their cigarettes, their beer or their
coffee. They may make a few changes, like drinking more
water, or they may give up completely in a very short
notice. Our way of eating has been cultivated over many
years and will not change over night. But to those who
do want better health and do not want to rely on
pills/drugs for their existence, nutritional changes
will be welcomed, especially when they start feeling
better and having more energy.
Diets are very important and are usually the basis for
any detox program, whether it is herbs, cleansing or
other detox programs.[i] Detox diets will generally
eliminate trigger foods, which may cause many problems
with digestion and elimination. Foods like wheat
(glutens) and dairy (milk, cheese) are often the cause
of allergies. Sugar is eliminated because of its "empty
calories" and tendency to produce hypoglycemia. Meats
are eliminated because they may contain hormones,
antibiotics and are difficult to digest. Caffeine is
wise to avoid, since it has many ill effects on the
body's digestion. Refined, processed and junk foods are
also out for any detox program to work.
Herbal Detoxification
Generic diets for detoxification are good, but may
not stimulate the liver, lungs or the kidneys as much as
one would like. Therefore, herbal cleanses are indicated
when we want to hone our cleanse to a "sharp edge" and
be organ specific. Of course, herbs are foods too and
provide one with vitamins, minerals and enzymes for
excellent nutrition. Herbs are powerful, because they
may be combined together to fortify those herbs that aid
specific organs. For example, herbal combinations that
aid the liver may be found in many organic food stores.
The list below shows how herbal combinations help the
various organs.
Herbal Combinations
Liver
LIV-A Dandelion, red beet, liverwort, parsley,
horsetail, birch leaves, chamomile, blessed thistle,
black cohosh, angelica, gentian, goldenrod
Kidneys
Uva ursi, parsley, dandelion, juniper berries JP-X
Parsley, uva ursi, marshmallow, ginger, goldenseal, dong
quai, cedar berries
Lungs
LH Comfrey, marshmallow, mullein, slippery elm,
senega, Chinese ephedra
While herbs may be taken at any time, they are best
for detoxification purposes when they are used with a
good diet also. It does not make any sense to take herbs
to cleanse the liver if the bowels are clogged with junk
or refined foods, since the liver dumps its toxins into
the bowels. And while detoxification diets are effective
by themselves, they may be reinforced and speeded up
with herbs, which stimulate the eliminative organs.
Herbs may be used as teas, powders or extracts. Powders
are usually encapsulated for easier swallowing, but are
best when taken with meals and digestive enzymes.
Extracts may be used when specific herbs are needed, but
may be extracted with alcohol, which we need to avoid.
Herbal teas are easily made and easily taken all
throughout the day. They are mild and gentle and
sometimes refreshing and sometimes bitter.
Experimentation may be in order until one develops the
right tea to drink. Herbal teas is a topic in itself,
since there are so many and different ways to make them.
Example Herbal Cleanse
Rising
Drink a glass of lemon water or drink a glass of
water with added: one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
and one teaspoon of blackstrap molasses
Morning
Drink a glass of water with psyllium husk powder
(follow with another glass of water).
Meals
Take 2-3 multi-digestive enzymes
Take liver herbs
In Between Meals
Drink herbals teas which support the liver, including
Dandelion/licorice/ginger/fennel
Note: Following a good diet is mandatory for herbs to
work optimally.
Skin Cleansing
Detoxification should include some type of skin
cleansing, because our skin it one of our best
eliminative organs. Heavy metals are actually released
through the skin's pores when we sweat. Sauna baths and
steam rooms are great for removing toxins from the skin
and regenerating one's health and energy. It has been
documented that our skin's sweat glands when combined
can perform as much detoxification as one (or both)
kidneys. Therefore, it is very important to support our
skin for detoxification to be maximal. If our kidneys
are damaged, then helping the skin will help the kidneys
... indirectly, but effectively.
Good skin care is in order, if one's health is to
benefit, also. Using chemicalized skin care products is
not wise, even though they are cheaper. These chemicals
may be absorbed into our circulation and provide more
"toxins" for our liver to deal with. We are not made out
of cast iron, and even the chemicals in our soaps and
shampoos will make a difference with our health. Most
people do not "see" the ill effects of these subtle
chemicals, because their liver is able to metabolize
them. But, individuals who are environmentally toxic
will see a great change in their health when using
natural soaps and shampoos. We should take their advice
and use only natural skin care products also.
Cleansing our skin is rather simple. First, we need to
bathe daily using natural soaps. Then we need to care
for the skin by using only natural oils and products of
natural origin. Even the clothes we wear can make a big
difference in our health. Synthetic fibers do not absorb
sweat (toxins), while natural fibers, like cotton, will
absorb toxins. Dry skin brushing helps in removing the
outer dead skin layers and keeps the pores open. Another
good method of skin brushing is with vigorous toweling
off after bathing. Towel roughly until the skin is
slightly red. Change towels often because they will
contain toxins.
Good skin care also requires good nutrition.[ii] Since
our skin is mainly fat, we need high quality fats and
oil from natural sources to give our skin health. Butter
and olive oil are two excellent natural oils, which keep
the skin in good condition. As always, the fats/oils
should be natural ... only.
Detoxification Baths
Use 1/2 cup of baking soda or use 1/2 cup of Epsom
salt or use 1/2 cup of sea salt. Soak for 15-20 minutes
and then scrub the skin gently with soap on a natural
fiber. Within a few minutes the water will turn murky
and "dirty." The darkness to the water is heavy metals
coming out of the skin (aluminum and mercury). Do this
once a week during detox and once a month for
maintenance.
Juice Fasting
Fasting with vegetable juices can be another
excellent way to develop good health and cleanse the
body of toxins. Juices, minus their pulp (fiber),
contain an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and
enzymes. When the pulp is not added, one is able to
drink more juice than they are able to eat. For example,
one can easily consume the juice of several heads of
lettuce in one sitting, but may not be able to eat the
lettuce whole. This allows the body to get an abundance
of nutrients with minimal processing (digestion).
Fasting on mono-juices also allows the body proper time
to process these juices and helps to preserve our
valuable digestive enzymes.
Juice fasting has helped many people over come serious
diseases like cancer, because it gave them optimal
nutrition and allowed the body to cleanse itself of
toxins. [According to many nutritionists, cancer is
merely a toxic condition.] With some juicers, the pulp
is discarded, but it may be saved and added back for
fiber (not too much). Juices contain good sources of
antioxidants and enzymes, both of which are needed for
cleansing and eliminating toxins. Juices are also easy
to digest and help those with digestive problems.
Flora
Our bowel flora is also important for detoxification
and normal health. Probiotics is the term given to the
normal bowel flora, which are taken as supplements. It
has been found that these normal flora actually defend
our body from the pathogenic species of bacteria and
perform many vital functions, such as detoxification of
toxic chemicals and making valuable vitamins (mainly the
B vitamins). When our normal flora are present they
secrete mediators in which the pathogenic forms cannot
grow. But the reverse is also true, that when the
pathogenic forms take over, they will exclude the normal
flora with their toxins.
Many scientists feel that it is the toxins secreted from
the pathogens and not the pathogens themselves that
create disease. The ability of all bacteria to change
and grow under specific conditions of their immediate
environment is called pleiomorphism. Cell wall deficient
forms are "bacteria" which lack a defined cell wall, yet
have all the specifications of being bacterial-like.
Even viruses have been found to exhibit morphological
forms, which resemble bacteria and fungus. While this is
not widely accepted by modern medical scientists, it
hass been proven beyond a shadow of doubt by eminent
scientists, like Virginia Livingston Wheeler, Irene
Diller, and Royal Rife. Their microscopic studies have
revealed that bacteria and viruses and fungus may be all
different forms of the same organism, differing only by
the environment in which they are grown.
Antibiotics kill off the good bacteria as well as the
bad and allow the bad to repopulate and develop
antibiotic resistance. Natural forms of antibiotics are
better, since they do not kill off the good bacteria
with the bad and do not allow drug" resistance to take
place. Garlic, for example, is perhaps, 200 times more
effective against pathogens than most antibiotics today.
And it does not produce antibiotic resistance forms,
which is a danger to all our health. As antibiotics
become more widely used, more antibiotic resistant forms
will be encountered. Herbal antiseptics and
anti-bacterial tonics are far better and less dangerous
to our over-all health, because they do not kill of the
good bacteria with the bad.
Replacing our natural flora is a good step for
preventing disease and keeping our bowels healthy and
populated with normal flora. Taking probiotics
containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidus can
help us in our detox program and also in repopulating
the gut after a cleanse. Our normal healthy flora should
be a part of any detoxification program.
Antioxidants
The use of antioxidants, like vitamins A, E, and
especially C, are very essential for detoxification
since they are involved with the detoxification of
toxins. Antioxidants are involved with helping cells to
neutralize free radicals that can cause mutations and
cellular damage. As these free radicals are neutralized,
the antioxidant vitamins will be used and exhibit low
levels. Vitamin A and E are fat soluble and will be
found in our fat tissues/stores, but vitamin C is water
soluble and will be found mainly in our skin (between
the cells according to Reams). Vitamin C is also
involved with many other important bodily functions,
like collagen formation, wound healing, energy
production and fighting off colds (viruses).
The function of antioxidants is so important that any
deficiency of them will be seen as catastrophic to one's
health. When our antioxidants are low, energy is not
available and detoxification cannot take place in a
normal fashion. Therefore, toxins accumulate or are
stored until they can be processed. The liver and many
other organs are compromised in their functions when
antioxidants are low. Just the lack of energy is enough
to cause the body to have compromised or poor health,
because it is energy that is required for the removal of
toxins and wastes.
Vitamin C should be taken with bioflavinoids to ensure
that all the components of the vitamin C complex are
taken together, since they work together. Pure ascorbic
acid is called vitamin C, but does little by itself. We
tend to think that ascorbic acid as vitamin C, but it is
only part of the vitamin C complex. Vitamin C is very
essential to any detoxification program, because that is
what the body uses for energy to process and eliminate
these toxic wast Vitamin C can be taken in very high
doses until the bowel tolerance level [BTL] is achieved.
This BTL is different for different people. Some persons
reach tolerance at 4-5 grams (4,000-5,000 mg), while
others may not reach tolerance until 10-15 grams
(10,000-15,000 mg). Cancer patients notorously can take
20-30 grams (20,000-30,000 mg) of vitamin C before
tolerance is reached ... meaning that they needed more
vitamin C than most people.
By taking vitamin C to its tolerance level we find out
1) what our BTL is and 2) how saturated our body is with
Vitamin C. Vitamin C was found by Linus Pauling and Ewan
Cameron to be very effective in helping many patients to
over come that killer disease, called cancer. Perhaps,
this was because vitamin C was needed for detoxification
of toxins, which "caused" the cancer in the first place.
Although Pauling and Cameron were greatly criticized for
their work with vitamin C, they were able to help many
people overcome cancer and without compromising their
health.
Enzymes
The use of enzymes in detoxification is important,
because the body needs an adequate supply of enzymes,
not only for digestion, for also for detoxification.[iii]
Enzymes are best obtained from fresh raw fruits and
vegetables, but may be taken daily with meals as
nutritional supplements of multi-digestive enzymes.
Enzymes in our food helps us to digest that food, but
many foods today are processed, refined, heated
(cooked), radiated and stored, which destroys enzymes
and leaves it non-vital.[iv] Foods with enzymes
destroyed will have a longer shelf life, but will not
give one health when it is eaten.
Fresh raw fruits and vegetables are the best source for
enzymes and help to give one vibrant health. Enzymes are
also used by the body in detoxification of toxic
substances. The liver is the source of most
detoxification enzymes, which it must make, or store. To
aid the body in removing and eliminating wastes and
toxins, enzymes are best taken in between meals. This
way they do not get involved with digestion, but go to
the liver and to the blood for detoxification.
Many therapies have utilized enzymes for improving
health and enzymes have long been the key to many
detoxification therapies which have helped many to over
come that dreaded disease, cancer. Kelley, Gerson,
Moerman, and Neiper used alternative nutritional
therapies with enzymes for curing cancer. The famous
Wobe Mugos enzymes from Europe were utilized with
Laetrile therapies for cancer. Never was Laetrile give
alone, but was used with vitamins, diet and enzymes.
This made the Laetrile therapy very successful in the
1970s. If cancer is a toxic condition, which many feel
that it is, then taking enzymes will help it. And it
does.
The use of raw foods in many detoxification diets are
using the enzymes found naturally in those foods.
Additionally, these raw foods provide fiber and, with
proper food combining, will not waste the body enzymes
reserves. Preserving enzymes is the key to over coming
disease and living to ripe old age and remaining
healthy. Yes, vitamins and minerals are important, but
vitamins are enzyme co-factors and many minerals are use
to activate enzymes. Therefore, the vitamins and
minerals themselves are only augmenting the role of the
enzymes which are detoxifying toxins and supporting
metabolism.
Enzymes also help the bowels in cleansing, because they
liquefy the bowel content, which makes transit much
easier. The role of enzymes in digestion is to break
down foods for digestion and absorption. When foods are
broken down they become more liquid and the bowels move
much easier and faster. Transit time is decreased and
our health is increased when toxins are removed and
eliminated. Perhaps, this is a link to breaking the
"constipation chain." Enzymes are the key to health.
Preserve our enzymes and we will be healthy for a long
time.
Bowel Cleansing
Keeping the bowels clean and moving is a major step
in regaining our health since the bowels are crucial in
the elimination of toxins, especially those processed by
the liver. [The liver dumps in to the bowel via the gall
bladder.] This is why one hears a lot about the bowels,
and bowel cleansing. In severe cases, enemas and
colonics may be needed to breakup and washout
long-standing bowel encrustations. Diet may do the same
thing as an enema or colonic, it will just take longer.
Also, one should be very diligent in repopulating after
a total washout of the normal flora and probiotics will
be necessary to restore that balance.
Constipation is a national pastime and slow bowels are
more common today than years previous. For one thing,
people not only ate better 100 years ago, they were more
active and got out doors more. When the bowels slow
down, toxins are not eliminated and are reabsorbed and
carried back to the liver for recycling and elimination.
Reabsorbed bile salts have been linked to increased
cholesterol levels; therefore, cholesterol is a major
indicator of constipation. Also, when the bowels get
slow and toxin levels increase, the pathogenic
microorganisms grow to out-number the normal flora
causing dysbiosis. Although flora is needed to correct
this, it is the clogged bowels that are the major
problem. When the bowels move again, everything else
will fall into order.
Our endocrine glands that control metabolism are also
involved; since it is our thyroid that controls
metabolism and metabolism affects how our bowels are
functioning. In this way, constipation can be seen as a
symptom of hypothyroidism. Low body temperatures (a
symptom of hypothyroidism) are very common today
...although they are not "normal" ... as many authors
have reported. One major factor in low body temperatures
is the suppression of thyroid function by heavy metals,
like mercury, which binds to our thyroid hormones and
renders them inactive. Eliminate the mercury and the
body temperature is likely to return to normal.
The easiest way to get the bowels moving is by using a
high fiber diet consisting of fresh fruits and
vegetables. Sometimes, one may add extra fiber during
the day by drinking a glass of water (juice) with
psyllium husk powder. The extra fiber adds to the bulk
of the stool and decreases the bowel transit time, which
means better toxin elimination and better health. It
makes sense that if one can eliminate toxins their
health will improve.
One of the best ways to improve the bowel function is
with herbal remedies that act as bowel stimulants or
laxatives. These products range from the very mild -
slippery elm - to the stimulant - cascara sagrada- to
the very harsh - aloes and senna. Everyone may react
differently to these products, so they should be taken
cautiously at first. Some persons may take two aloes
with no effect (meaning they are heavily blocked), while
others may take a mild herbal and get a much greater
effect than most. Herbal bowel combination formulas are
excellent because they not only stimulate the bowels to
move, but give the bowels the nourishment it needs to
move on its own.
Herbal formulas should not preclude a wholesome natural
diet, since diet comes first in matters of health. One
should not become overly dependent on herbal laxatives,
since they deplete potassium and may be "addicting" as
some authors claim. Yet, herbal products play a key role
in getting the body to eliminate toxins by stimulating
the eliminative organs like nothing else can and,
therefore, cannot be ignored.
Herxheimer Reaction
The Herxheimer Reaction occurs when the body is
detoxifying too rapidly and toxins are being released
faster than the body can eliminate them.[v] When this
occurs, one will suffer from headaches, nausea,
vomiting, and malaise. Even though this is but a short
period of the health program, it can be severe and deter
one from reaching their intended goals. Also, the person
may not know what they are experiencing and think that
they are regressing.
* To minimize the Herxheimer Reaction:
* Drinks lots of pure water
* Get minimal exercise daily
* Lots of sunshine
* Take detoxification slowly... one step at a time
* Don't increase the dose of herbals
* Keep the organs of elimination (bowels, lungs, skin,
kidneys) open
* Take detox baths
* Use aromatherapy oils for aches -like peppermint,
birch, and wintergreen
* Sweat by using exercise, saunas, baths, and herbs
* Avoid foreign chemicals and refined processed foods
If the Herxheimer reaction occurs, cut back on your
health detoxification program. Reduce the dose of herbs
and follow the above outline to reduce the symptoms of
toxin elimination. The more toxins there are to
eliminate, the sicker one is when they come out.
Generally, one will feel better when all is over and
health is restored again. Just remember, don't give up.
Conclusion
Detoxification may produce symptoms of headaches,
nausea, malaise and vomiting due to the toxins being
released [Herxheimer Reaction]. If this occurs, one
should back off the program and proceed slowly.
Proceeding to fast with detoxification can have
disastrous results when toxins are released into the
circulation. Our body should be primed and ready to
eliminate toxins before they are released. We do this by
getting the bowels working, keeping the skin clean and
getting the kidneys and lungs operating. Only by having
all organs of elimination in proper operating order can
our body begin to dump toxins efficiently and maximally.
Keeping the skin clean and healthy is of prime
importance also.
Detoxification is essential for good health to exist.
Our body must eliminate toxins daily or we would die
immediately. Since our environment is more toxic today,
our livers are over stressed with environmental toxins
to deal with daily. Processing other toxins, when the
liver is stressed, may be delayed. Detoxification is
also a lifestyle change. For it is by the way we live
that determines our health and how our liver processes
toxins.
But for those who want their cake and eat it too,
detoxification may be compromised. A change your
lifestyle may be needed and detoxification will be
forthcoming. Nature has afforded us the chance to live
in a toxic environment and not be affected by it. Of
course, we have to live right to get that chance.
Without detoxification we may not get a second chance.
Good health is within our reach, but first we must
cleanse this "temple" and eat a wholesome natural diet
that provides us with maximal nutrients and fiber. Herbs
can help us stimulate the liver, lungs, kidneys and
bowels when needed, but diet is the first priority in
any detoxification program. Don't become overly
dependent on herbal laxatives. When toxins are released
one may feel bad for a day or two, but when our good
health is restored we will have renewed energy and will
"soar on the wings of an eagle". Many people living
today have never known what good health "feels" like.
They survive with an abundance of toxins and an
existence less than healthy.
Good health is not hard to find, but does require
diligence and life style changes which are compatible
with toxin elimination. Sir Jason Winters Says, "Death
begins in the colon." With good toxin elimination
through natural detoxification programs our health and
energy are restored.
Comments from Chet Day about
The
Detox Bible Program ...
What is a Detox Routine?
Simply put, a detox routine is an all-natural method
of giving your body the time and conditions it can use
to rebuild and heal. There are many different detox
routines in the natural health arena:
* water fasting
* juice fasting
* minimal eating
* herbal detox
* detox baths
* colon cleansing
* and a host of others
In my 118-page special report
The
Detox Bible: How to Rejuvenate Your Body on Nature's
Operating Table you'll find detailed "how to"
information that people have used for centuries to detox,
energize, and rejuvenate their bodies.
[i]. "The Best Way to Detox," Jill Ruttenberg,
Natural Health, Oct 1999, p 88-92, 152.
[ii]. Aubrey Hampton, Natural Organic Hair and Skin
Care, 1987, Organica Press, Tampa, FL 33614
[iii]. Harold Loomis, DC, Enzymes: The Key to Health,
Vol 1, The Fundamentals, 1999, 21st Century Nutrition,
Madison, WI
[iv]. Anthony J Cichoke, DC, Enzymes and Enzyme Therapy,
1994, Keats Publishing, Inc, New Canaan, CT
[v]. Ibid, p 148.
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