Organ Cleansing
Organs that participate in detoxifying the body are the liver, colon, kidneys, lungs, and skin. During times of stress
and acute overload, cleansing procedures
will help restore optimal function of these
organs. In addition, before beginning any
detoxification program it is imperative to be
certain that these organs are functioning adequately. If anyone of them is not performing well, there will be blockages in the detoxification process that will result in increased symptoms.
Although they are not organs, the lymph
system and blood participate in detoxification. In many people, they are overloaded
and in need of cleansing, which will improve
both their detoxification efficiency and the health of the person.
It is helpful to consult a healthcare practitioner before beginning an organ cleanse
to be certain your body is ready for and can
handle these procedures. It is particularly
important that the kidneys are capable of
processing the increased load they will have
to excrete, and most people will need to do the kidney cleanse first.
Liver
- LIVER MASSAGE
- Massage helps to cleanse the liver. While lying flat on your back, using your flat fingertips, gently massage the liver area with clockwise circular motions. If soreness persists or
if there is marked tenderness, you should
consult a qualified professional.
LIVER FLUSH- Liver flushes stimulate the elimination of stored toxic wastes from the body, increase bile flow, and improve liver function.
Mix fresh-squeezed orange, grapefruit,
and lemon or lime juices to make 1 cup of
liquid. The mixture should taste sour. Add 1
to 2 cloves of fresh garlic and a small amount
of fresh ginger juice. (Grate the ginger on a
vegetable grater and squeeze the fibers in a
garlic press.) Stir in 1 Tbsp. of olive oil and drink.
Follow the liver flush mixture with the following tea:
Use 1 ounce of the herb mixture to 20
ounces of water and simmer for 20 minutes,
then add 1 part peppermint. Steep for 10 more minutes.
For additional soothing properties, add
1/2 part marshmallow root (sliced and shredded) to the initial herb blend.
COFFEE ENEMA- One of the best liver cleansers is a coffee enema. Coffee enemas were listed in folk literature for years as a method of helping the
body rid itself of toxins and accumulated
waste products. They were listed in the
Merck Manual until 1977, when they were removed for lack of space. After pharmaceuticals became the main focus of medicine in the 1920s, coffee enemas were seldom used. In the past 10 to 15 years, however, their usefulness has again been recognized.
A coffee enema is a low-volume enema
that stays in the sigmoid colon, the S-shaped
last section of the large intestine. A special
circulatory system exists between the sigmoid colon and the liver, called the enterohepatic circulation system. When the stool
reaches the sigmoid colon, it is full of decomposed material and toxins. These toxins
are sent directly to the liver for detoxification
rather than being circulated throughout the body.
The caffeine in the coffee is the active ingredient in a coffee enema. Given rectally, it
helps detoxify the liver and emulsifies fat.
While coffee enemas do promote cleansing
of the intestines as well as the liver and gallbladder, they are used primarily to clean the liver and gallbladder.
A coffee enema:
- increases the peristaltic action of the intestines, and speeds up the emptying of the bowel.
- makes the toxins accumulated in the bile ducts empty, allowing other toxins in the body to filter into the liver for detoxification.
- increases the emptying speed of the liver ducts holding detoxified materials, speeding the detoxification process.
- encourages the removal of gallstones in the bile.
- stimulates the production of the enzyme glutathione-S-transferase, which makes the liver detoxification pathways function.
- breaks down accumulated fat in the liver cells.
- clears chemical overloads and chemical reactions.
- helps the body cope with chemotherapy and side effects caused by toxic overload from destruction of cells.
Minerals and electrolytes are not washed
out by coffee enemas. The important nutrients have already been absorbed higher in
the bowel, long before the food residue
reaches the sigmoid colon.
Unsulfured molasses is used in the
coffee enema to aid with retention and increase detoxification efficiency.
Preparing the Enema
Bring 1 quart of tolerated water to a boil in
the stainless-steel or glass pot. Add 2 flat
Tbsp. of coffee and continue to boil for 5
minutes. Turn off the heat and leave the pan
on the burner. Add 1 Tbsp. of unsulfured
molasses. Cool to a tepid temperature that
feels comfortable to the touch. Never use the
coffee mixture hot or steaming.
Strain, then pour half the coffee mixture
into the measuring cup, being careful not to
let the coffee grounds go into the cup. Put
the enema bag in the sink and clamp off the tubing.
Pour the coffee mixture into the enema
bag, then release the clamp long enough to
allow the liquid to run to the end of the enema tube. Hang the enema bag 24 to 30
inches above the floor. A doorknob makes a
good hanger. Do not hang it any higher, or
fluid will be forced too high into the intestine. Cover the area on which you are going
to lie with old towels to prevent staining.
Taking the Enema
First half:
Lie down on the floor and gently insert
the nozzle or catheter. If you need lubrication, use only food-grade vegetable oil, K- Y
jelly, or vitamin E. Do not use Vaseline or
other petroleum jelly products, which are toxic.
Release the clamp and let the coffee mixture flow slowly in. Clamp off the tubing as
soon as there is any sensation of fullness.
If you can do so, retain the enema for 10
minutes. Do not force yourself to hold it if an
uncomfortable feeling develops.
Clamp the tubing and remove the nozzle
or catheter, and empty your bowel.
Second half:
After emptying the bowel, repeat the
procedure with the remaining half of the
coffee mixture. If you cannot hold half of
the enema mixture, take three or four small
enemas.
When the gallbladder's bile duct empties,
you will hear or feel a squirting under the
right ribcage, or in that general area. Once
you feel this, you should not take any more
enemas that day.
If, after a week of daily enemas, you have
not felt or heard the gallbladder release its
bile, you may need to:
- increase the strength of the coffee 1 tsp. per quart at a time, but do not exceed 2 Tbsp. per cup.
- take slightly larger volume enemas with each half.
- take three enemas of 2 cups each or less.
Coffee enemas can be used without the unsulfured molasses if tolerance is a problem. However, after taking the enemas for
several weeks, you will probably be able to safely add it.
Most people do not feel "wired" or hyper
as a result of coffee enemas. Should you feel
this way, or if you have palpitations or irregular heartbeats after a coffee enema, reduce the amount of coffee by half for a few
days to a week. Caffeine blood levels have
been checked on people who felt they were
"wired" after a coffee enema, and caffeine
was not detectable in their blood.
Coffee enemas can be used as often as
needed. The usual frequency for detoxification purposes is around three times per
week. Some people may need to use them
daily if their toxic load is high.
OTHER METHODS- Castor oil packs are extremely beneficial in cleansing the liver. Several commercially prepared liver cleansing and support products are also available.
Gallbladder
Before you start a gallbladder cleanse, your
bowels must be clean. Take an herbal laxative such as cascara sagrada or
senna for two to three days before your
cleanse. Also take three to four capsules of hydrangea or hyssop twice a day for about a
week before this cleanse to reduce any gallstones in size and number.
Use a juice fast for two days. Do not eat on these days. Drink pure, organic, preservative-free apple juice for two days.
As a rule, apple juice starts to work on the second day. You may
find small stones and/or green mud in the
fecal matter. The malic acid in the apple juice
helps to break down stagnant bile.
A cleansing, warm water enema may be
necessary during the cleanse to alleviate
nausea created by ingesting a large amount
of oil at one time. This flush may be repeated in two months.
Colon
Indications that a colon cleanse would be helpful include:
- Constipation: Unless you have at least one bowel movement a day and can evacuate your bowels quickly, you may need a colon cleanse.
- Body and breath odor: Any unpleasant body or breath odor, or a coated tongue, can be indicative of a high toxic accumulation in the colon.
- Chronic health problems: Many problems such as acne, allergies, arthritis, fatigue, gas, migraine, and recurrent bladder and vaginal infections may be caused or aggravated by a toxic colon.
Colon cleansing is a controversial
method of detoxification and cleansing.
There seems to be no middle viewpoint; people are either very much in favor or violently
opposed. Those who favor colon cleansing
feel that the health of the body reflects the
health of the colon. They further believe that
colon cleansing, either with enemas or
colonics, is necessary for good health.
Those opposed to colon cleansing feel
that it is an invasive treatment and that there
is no medical reason to irrigate the colon.
Homeopaths feel this method causes the
loss of vital body fluids. Opponents of colon
cleansing believe that proper diet, along with
sufficient water and exercise, should allow
you to move your bowels regularly. When
the bowels function well, their natural physiological action should keep them clean.
Any cleansing method should be approached with caution, as you determine the
appropriateness of a particular treatment for
you. Very allergic people should be especially careful. You will have to make your
own decision based on your own research.
Fasting is sometimes advocated before a
colon cleanse. During a fast, your eliminative organs begin to remove concentrated
and old, hard wastes, although they will not
be able to eliminate all the accumulated material.
- ENEMAS
- Colon cleansing may be accomplished by administering an enema, which flushes the
lower intestines. Substances used in enemas include water, coffee, herbal tea, mild
soap solution, meat broth, chicken soup,
wheat-grass juice, barley juice, chlorophyll,
oils, or other nutritional substances. The frequency of enema use depends on the per-
son's philosophy and tolerance. Some people take enemas once a month for preventive
health maintenance. Others take a series of enemas seasonally.
- General Instructions
- Fill an enema bag with warm distilled or
other tolerated water, or other liquid.
Warmth allows the intestines to relax and expand.
Hang the bag 24 to 30 inches above the
floor. A doorknob makes a good hanger.
Cover the area on which you are going to lie with old towels.
Lying on the floor, lie on your left side or
assume a knee-chest position (face down,
supporting your weight on your knees and
upper chest) to help water go through the colon.
Always lubricate the end of the rectal
nozzle with vitamin E, food-grade vegetable
oil, or K- Y jelly. Do not use petroleum jelly, which is a toxin.
Insert the tube or nozzle just inside the
rectum. For a French catheter, as water begins to flow, gently insert the tube further - but never force it. The maximum tube insertion is 3 to 6 inches.
At the first urge or cramp, remove the
tube and allow elimination.
Follow the warm enema with a cool water enema to stimulate peristaltic action and
to soak off more material. When the intestinal muscles contract, more encrusted debris breaks off and leaves the body.
- Enemas for Specific Conditions
- To stimulate the liver, kidneys, spleen, and pancreas: Add 1/2 tsp. cayenne to an enema bag of water. This enema will also help stop bleeding that sometimes occurs with tissue irritation during rapid elimination.
- To help eliminate parasites and Candida: Blend 1 or 2 crushed garlic buds in 1 quart of tolerated water. Strain. Add enough tepid water to fill the enema bag. Repeat once a day for three days.
- To clear allergic reactions: Use 60 grams (8 level Tbsp.) of buffered vitamin C per quart of tolerated water. Allow the enema to run in very slowly and retain the fluid as long as you can comfortably do so. Caution: Never use ascorbic acid in an enema, as it is irritating to the colon.
- COLONICS
- Some colon therapists advocate the use of
high colonics, using specialized equipment
to deliver the cleansing solution into the
colon and to pump it out. This treatment cleans the entire colon.
Great care must be taken to clean the
equipment between clients. If the equipment is not properly sterilized, parasites can
be passed from one person to another.
- CLAY AND FIBER CLEANSE
- A colon cleanse using a fibrous material,
called psyllium, and clay can remove years of accumulated, caked-on material. Because it
is taken orally and moves through the GI
tract naturally, many people feel this is a
safe, non-invasive method of cleansing the colon.
Psyllium attracts moisture into the
bowel, which causes the psyllium to expand,
filling the intestine. The clay absorbs toxins
and helps carry them out of the colon. As it
passes through the intestines, it drags out
stored wastes. Do not exceed three colon
cleanses per year, and wait at least two months between cleanses.
- Preparing the Cleanse
- Mix 1 Tbsp. of the liquid bentonite in the pint
jar with 4 ounces of tolerated water. (If you
cannot find a liquid bentonite solution, you
may make your own by dissolving 2 ounces
of bentonite clay in 1 quart of tolerated water.
Shake well and allow to stand for 12 hours.)
Then add 1 Tbsp. of psyllium husks. Cover and shake well.
- Taking the Cleanse
- Drink the mixture quickly after you shake it.
The longer it stands, the more it will clump.
Follow with 8 ounces of pure, tolerated water. Drink this mixture three times a day, between meals, for 3 to 4 days. Take no food 2
hours before or for 2 hours afterward. Drink
at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.
This mixture can be constipating for
some people. Should you become constipated, take extra vitamin C and magnesium. Some people may also need to use a plain water enema, or the coffee enema.
Some people feel abdominal discomfort
during the first day or two of the cleanse
when the psyllium has expanded in the
bowel. Many people pass particles of varying
size and shape. Some report long casings
that may be mucosal debris and dead cells
from the intestinal lining.
- EXERCISE
- Many people who have constipation do not
exercise enough. Research tells us that our
bowels will not move unless we move. Exercise helps keep abdominal muscles healthy
and muscle tone optimal. Simple walking is
very beneficial, but the following activities
are particularly helpful to combat constipation:
- hill climbing
- climbing a ladder or stairs
- tennis
- rowing, with chest held high, and giving the trunk a strong backward movement
- medicine ball bouncing, to give the trunk muscles vigorous action
- chopping, digging, swinging, mowing
- folk and square dancing
- horseback riding
- FIBER
- Fiber, sometimes called roughage or bulk,
helps to relieve constipation. It absorbs water in the large intestine and makes stools
larger, softer, and easier to pass. Food fiber is
soluble and is best for your body. High-fiber
foods include grains and bran, fresh fruits
with skin on, dried fruits, raw vegetables,
legumes, nuts, and seeds. Peeled, cooked, or
pureed fruits and vegetables have less useful
fiber than those eaten raw.
By increasing high-fiber foods in your
diet, fiber supplementation is not usually
necessary. If you need to take a fiber supplement, start with small amounts and increase
your water intake. You may experience some
cramping, diarrhea, or gas at first. Fiber supplements can lead to dehydration, and minerals will be lost with the water. They can also
decrease the absorption of dietary protein.
- FLUID
- Many people are constipated or have
difficult bowel movements because they do
not consume enough liquid. Liquids, particularly water, keep stools soft. When liquid
intake is too low, stools become small and
hard. Coffee, tea, and caffeinated soft drinks
can deplete the body of water because caffeine acts a diuretic.
There is controversy over how much water you should drink ordinarily. Many physicians say six to eight glasses per day, but
some homeopaths feel that this much water
overworks the kidneys. Certainly you should
always drink when you are thirsty, and the
bulk of your fluid intake should be water.
During detoxification procedures, it is important to drink extra water.
- LAXATIVES
- Commercial laxatives can make a constipation problem worse. They are physically addictive and their frequent use can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Laxatives
can weaken the GI muscles and decrease the
effectiveness of peristalsis. Over a period of
time, bowel movements become difficult without a laxative.
There are more natural options that will
not harm your body. Ground psyllium seeds
are a concentrated source of fiber, which has
laxative properties. Psyllium is available at health food stores.
If you take vitamin C to bowel tolerance levels every day, you will not be constipated. Even if you do not take these amounts, extra doses of vitamin C help relieve constipation.
Extra magnesium also relieves constipation. Magnesium is the active portion of Epsom salts and Milk of Magnesia. However,
these laxatives are harsh to your body. Simply increasing your magnesium supplementation should clear constipation.
- ORAL CHARCOAL
- Taken orally, charcoal is an excellent
cleanser for the gastrointestinal tract. Charcoal removes the odor from intestinal gas, and it also helps indigestion, peptic ulcers,
or other forms of gastrointestinal distress. It
is generally tolerated well orally, and the only
reported side effects have been bowel irritation in extremely sensitive individuals with bowel inflammatory problems.
Charcoal should not be taken continuously for years. It can be used intermittently
for long periods of time, and regularly for
several months. Some people are concerned
that charcoal might adsorb nutrients, although there are studies that show it does
not. It adsorbs mineral acids, alkalis, and
salts poorly; for this reason, it does not adsorb nutrients. Food and bile interfere with
charcoal's effectiveness, yet its adsorption
capacity is still rapid. Charcoal works better
in an acid than an alkaline medium.
Charcoal can be taken orally in the following ways:
- Slurry: Charcoal stirred into water forms a slurry. The usual oral dose of charcoal is 1 Tbsp. of powder stirred into a glass of water, taken mid-morning or mid-afternoon.
- Tablets and capsules: Intestinal gas and bloating can be treated with four capsules or eight tablets of charcoal taken three to four times per day, between meals. This treatment also helps with malodorous stools and bad breath originating both from the mouth and gastrointestinal tract.
Oral charcoal can prevent toxins from building up in the blood when the liver is not
functioning well. The respiratory tract medication, Theophylline, has a narrow therapeutic range and overdoses are a common
occurrence. People taking this drug should keep charcoal on hand to treat these overdoses.
Kidney
For the kidney to be healthy, infections must
be cleared and any stones dissolved. A kidney cleanse must remove all irritating chemicals, metabolic waste, and crystal deposits.
It must also replace damaged cells with new healthy tissues.
- WATER
- Drink eight to ten 8-ounce glasses of bottled
or tolerated water every day during the
cleanse. Make water your only beverage.
Juices, caffeinated drinks, and sodas do not substitute for water.
After the cleanse, continue to drink eight
8-ounce glasses of water daily. Water helps
detoxify the kidneys, as well as diluting the
urine, preventing concentrations of the minerals and salts that can form stones.
- DIET
- Diet has a major influence on kidney health. Avoid acid-forming foods such as caffeine containing foods; salty,
sugary, and fried
foods; and soft drinks, which adversely affect
the filtering ability of the kidneys. Also avoid
mucus-forming foods, including all dairy
products, heavy grains, starches, and fats.
This will relieve irritation and inflammation
and inhibit sediment formation.
Do not consume kidney irritants such as
alcohol and excessive protein. The release of insulin following sugar consumption increases the level of calcium in the blood,
which can contribute to the formation of kidney stones. Rhubarb and raw spinach must
also be avoided, as they encourage the formation of stones.
Consumption of citric acid also helps
prevent the formation of kidney stones.
Drink the juice of a fresh lemon in a glass of
warm water every morning, both during and
after a kidney cleanse. Lemons inhibit kidney stone formation because of their citric
acid content. Lemonade should not be substituted for plain lemon and water, because it
usually contains a high level of sugar.
- NUTRIENTS
- The prevention of kidney stones is an essential factor in the health of the kidney. Zinc is
an important inhibitor of crystallization.
Take 50 to 80 mg of a zinc supplement and
balance with 2 to 3 mg of copper. Use these
amounts routinely if you are prone to kidney stones.
A raw kidney glandular, which is a concentrated form of animal kidney, strengthens the kidneys. It should be prepared from
a young, organically raised, free-range animal that has not been given hormones.
- HERBS
- The herbs ginkgo biloba and goldenseal in
extract form increase circulation to the kidneys and have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Apples are considered to
be a healing herb for the kidney and serve as
a purifier, cleanser, disinfectant, and toner.
The following herbal cleanse is recommended for cleansing and detoxifying; it also treats urinary tract infections.
Caution: People who have nephritis or
who take diuretics frequently should not use this formula, since it acts as a diuretic. Avoid
high-sodium foods while using this formula.
Combine equal amounts of the following herbs and put into capsules. Take 5 to 8
capsules per day:
- EXERCISE
- Exercise daily. Sedentary people have a high
level of calcium in their blood. Exercise
forces the calcium into the bones, lessening
the risk of kidney stones, as well as promoting the elimination of toxins through increased circulation and sweating.
- OTHER CLEANSING MEASURES
- Take saunas or hot baths to increase sweating, which causes the excretion of toxins and
excess fluid through the skin, sparing the
kidneys. Essential oils in the bath water will
help relieve kidney stress. Use 8 to 10 drops
of two of the following: cedar wood, chamomile, eucalyptus, geranium, lemon, juniper, or sandalwood.
Homeopathic remedies that support the kidney or a complex homeopathic remedy will assist a kidney cleanse.
Lungs
If you have a chronic cough that brings up phlegm, a constant runny nose, bronchitis or wheezing, or severe sinusitis, a lung cleanse should be helpful for you. People who have problems with fluid retention may not be able to do this cleanse.
- DIET
- Drink 8 to 12 glasses of water, juices, herb
teas, and broth daily. Avoid dairy and dairy
products, which can cause congestion. Eat
fresh fruits, high-chlorophyll vegetables, sea
vegetables, and non-gluten grains such as
millet or brown rice. These are alkalizing
foods and should be eaten in a ratio of about
4 to 1 over acid-forming foods. Chlorophyll rich foods such as chlorella, spirulina, and
barley green will enhance lung cleansing, in
addition to increasing oxygenation and helping to clear respiratory infections. Pitted
fruits such as apricots, peaches, and plums
are "lung-friendly" foods because of their flavonoid content.
- NUTRIENTS
- Antioxidants are particularly important for
lung function. Be certain to include vitamins
A, C, and E in your nutrients as well as selenium, cysteine, and CoQ10.
Take an anti-infective such as garlic,
olive leaf extract, or colloidal silver if you
have bronchitis or similar lung symptoms.
Proteolytic enzymes taken between meals will reduce inflammation, and quercetin between meals has a powerful antihistamine effect.
- HERBAL TEAS
- Try one of the following teas to relieve congestion and inflammation.
Mix the herbs in the indicated proportions
and steep 1 tsp. of the mixture in 1/2 cup boiling water. Sweeten with honey and sip 1 to
1 1/2 cups over the course of a day.
Mix hemp nettle, shave grass, witch grass in equal parts. Use 1 heaping
tsp. of the mixture to 1/2 cup cold water.
Bring to a boil for 1 minute, then steep for 1
minute and strain. Sweeten with a little honey, if desired. Sip 1 to 1 1/2 cups over the course of a day.
- ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES
- Be vigilant about your environment and
avoid all forms of tobacco smoke. Try to
avoid exposures to dust or dust mites,
molds, pollens, terpenes, and chemicals.
Be particularly careful in your home and,
if you are not already doing so, avoid cleaning compounds and toiletries that have a
scent of any kind. Use an air cleaner and, if necessary,
wear a charcoal filter mask at home and at work.
- OTHER CLEANSING MEASURES
- Breathing exercises are very helpful in lung detoxification, as is physical exercise. A brisk
daily walk during which you breathe deeply
will accelerate your cleanse.
A chest rub of essential oils or inhaling
steam to which essential oils have been
added will thin and stop excessive mucus
production. Oregano, tea tree, and eucalyptus oils singly or in combination will help.
For a chest rub, put 15 drops in 1 ounce of a
base oil and rub on the chest. For steam inhalation, put 6
drops in 1 quart of hot water and breathe the fumes.
Homeopathic remedies that are supportive of the lungs are helpful in a cleanse.
Skin
- DIET
- Proper diet can improve your skin and overall appearance. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables and eliminate sugar, fried foods, margarine, shortening, hydrogenated oils, and
dairy products. Eat foods high in fiber to
keep the colon clean, which will help keep the skin clean.
Eat zinc-rich foods such as egg yolks, fish, meat, liver, grains, beans, and pumpkin
and sunflower seeds, as a low-zinc diet can
cause skin flare-ups. Zinc has antibacterial
properties and is also necessary to the oil producing glands of the skin.
Eliminate coffee and alcohol, as they
affect circulation to the skin. Also avoid
processed foods, which are high in sugar,
salt, and fat. Saturated fats promote inflammation.
- WATER AND TEAS
- As with the other organ cleanses, it is important to drink 8 to 10 glasses of tolerated water
to flush toxins through the kidneys. This
helps to prevent toxins from having to exit
via the skin as blemishes or rashes. Herbal
teas also help the skin. Alternate between dandelion, goldenseal, myrrh, pau d'arco,
and red clovers. Caution: Do not use goldenseal on a daily basis for more than a week
and do not use during pregnancy.
Skin Support Tea
- Elder leaves and flowers
- Elecampane root
- Ground ivy
- Juniper berries
- Witch grass root
Mix the herbs in equal parts and steep 1 tsp.
of the mixture in 1/2 cup boiling water. Sip 1/2
to 1 cup daily, unsweetened. Use daily over several months.
Speedwell Tea
- 2 parts speedwell
- 1 part black elder leaves
- 1 part English walnut leaves
- 1 part pansy
Mix herbs in the indicated proportions. Steep 1 tsp. of the mixture in 1/2 cup boiling
water. Sip 1 to 1 1/2 cups daily, unsweetened.
- NUTRIENTS
- Antioxidants are essential for skin health.
Be certain to take vitamins A, C, and E, as
well as bioflavonoids. Vitamin E protects
against ultraviolet light damage and bioflavonoids improve the skin's blood supply.
Essential fatty acids, such as evening
primrose oil, help prevent dehydration and
wrinkling. Protease, an enzyme, will help
to heal some skin disorders.
- OTHER CLEANSING MEASURES
- Dry brushing is important for a skin cleanse.
It removes the top layer of old skin, helping
to remove mucus residues and uric acid
crystals. Use a natural bristle or a soft surgical scrub brush. Begin with the soles of your
feet, and using a rotary motion, brush every
inch of your skin except the nipples. Follow
the brushing with a cleansing shower or bath.
Massage therapy will help improve skin
tone by increasing circulation. Essential oils
help to detoxify, nourish, tone, soothe, and
support skin function. Essential oils that assist in a skin cleanse include lavender, geranium, sandalwood, and neroli. Add 15 drops
of one oil, or a combination, to 2 ounces of a
base or fixed oil and rub on the skin.
Lymph
- DIET
- Poor diet adversely affects the immune
system and the lymphatic system. Sugar and
alcohol inhibit white blood cell activity.
Sugar consumption (the amount of sugar
in a sweetened soft drink) will stop white
blood cell activity within 30 minutes and
normal activity will not return for four to five hours.
To strengthen immune response, eat
foods that are high in essential fatty acids,
such as salmon, fresh tuna, and sea vegetables. It is also important to eat adequate
amounts of protein and fresh fruits and vegetables.
- NUTRIENTS
- Supporting lymph nutrients include vitamins A, C, E, and B complex, beta-carotene,
iron, zinc, and selenium. The enzyme protease is a lymph and immune booster.
- HERBS
- Echinacea extract and astragalus extract are
deep lymph-cleansing herbs. Echinacea also
reduces lymphatic congestion and swelling.
Red root is a powerful lymphatic cleanser
and is synergistic with Echinacea. Ocotillo flushes lymph congestion.
- EXERCISE
- Regular exercise is critical for lymph flow in
the body. Rhythmic aerobic exercise, such as
walking, dancing, or "step" exercise, is helpful. Begin each exercise session with deep breathing and stretching.
Set a specific time to exercise and choose an activity you enjoy. The exercise should be
convenient for you and one you can do at almost any time.
Be sure to shower after your exercise session to wash off the toxins excreted in your sweat.
- OTHER CLEANSING MEASURES
- Massage therapy and manual lymph
drainage are helpful in encouraging lymphatic circulation. Acupuncture and acupressure can also be useful.
Alternating hot and cold showers will
stimulate lymph circulation, as will breathing exercises.
The essential oils of geranium, juniper,
and black pepper will assist a lymph cleanse
when rubbed on the skin. Use 15 drops of oil
in 1 ounce of a base or carrier oil. Eight to ten
drops of these essential oils are also supportive of the lymph system when added to bath water.
Complex homeopathic remedies are helpful in
cleansing and supporting the lymphatic system.
Blood
- DIET
- Diet is important in cleansing the blood. FolIow a juice diet for three days, unless you
have a degenerative disease. A juice diet or
fast is not recommended in these cases because the toxins released by a fast may be
more than the body and blood can detoxify.
After the fast, eat only very pure foods,
including as much organic food as possible,
and avoid canned, frozen, and processed
foods. Do not eat food that contains any additives, including colors, flavors, and preservatives. Avoid sugar, sodas, artificial sweeteners, and fried foods.
- WATER AND TEAS
- In addition to pure, tolerated water, drink
bottled mineral water throughout the day to
hydrate and alkalize the body. Mild herb
teas, such as sarsaparilla and pau d'arco, can
improve body chemistry and enhance blood
cleansing, as can chlorophyll.
- NUTRIENTS
- Nutrients will help with a blood cleanse, particularly the antioxidants, which clean the
blood and strengthen white blood cells. Buffered vitamin C in small doses throughout
the day will cause a rapid improvement. Take
enzymes to help with digestion, particularly
protein digestion. Enzymes break down organisms and incompletely digested protein
in the blood, enabling them to be destroyed
by the immune system. Probiotics are important for building blood and improving digestion.
- OTHER CLEANSING MEASURES
- Many herbs, including red clover, dandelion, burdock, yellow dock, Echinacea, and
Oregon grape root, cleanse the blood.
Essential oils, such as rosemary, cypress,
and vetiver assist in blood cleansing. Use 15
drops of each oil in 1 ounce of base or carrier
oil and rub on the skin. Eight to ten drops of
each of these oils may also be used in bath water.
Aerobic exercise increases the level of
oxygen in the blood, which assists with blood cleansing.
Massage therapy will increase circulation, and detoxification baths also help cleanse the blood.
Some people improve with an enema at
the beginning and end of their blood
cleanses, which prevents new toxins from
entering the bloodstream.
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