Internal Cleansing 101:
Out with Toxins, In with the New Year
Toxins are everywhere. They come from our environment,
where harsh chemicals and pollutants are constantly contaminating
our air, food and water, and they even come from our own bodies—the
result of countless functions occurring at a cellular level each
day. And even though your body is equipped with a built-in system
for eliminating toxins, it wasn’t meant to do the job all
on its own. That’s where you come in.
Simple changes in
your daily lifestyle go a long way toward supporting the organs
and organ systems involved in detoxification (mainly the liver,
lungs, kidneys, bowel, skin, blood and lymphatic system). One
of those changes includes using an effective herbal cleansing
formula, but many people are unsure about which products to use
and how to begin. To help you better understand the basics of
herbal cleansing, below is a list of answers to some commonly
asked questions.
1. Why do I need to cleanse?
Can’t I just
eat healthy foods and exercise? Cleansing and detoxification
are crucial for improved digestion and overall health. Toxins
absorbed from the environment are stored in the liver and fatty
tissue throughout the body. Because toxins are foreign substances,
when they are present in large amounts, the body’s efforts
to eliminate them may result in health problems such as joint
and muscle pain, constipation or diarrhea, gas and bloating,
allergies, headaches, mood swings, weight gain and chronic
fatigue.
2. Will a cleanse make
me feel sick?
While a
cleanse will generally help you feel refreshed and revitalized,
some people may experience what is called a “healing crisis”.
This occurs when the natural ingredients in a cleanse kill
disease-causing microorganisms faster than the body can eliminate
them, so minor side effects such as headache, fatigue, digestive
discomfort and skin irritations may occur. Since it is sometimes
difficult to distinguish between a healing crisis and an actual
illness, remember to consult your physician or natural healthcare
provider if any of these signs are present after beginning
a cleanse.
3. Will I be able to work
while I am taking a cleanse?
There isn’t any reason that
cleansing should interfere with your daily routine. If you
are concerned, begin your cleanse on a Friday and continue
through the weekend. This will let you relax over the weekend
and give you a head start on the work week.
4. How often do I need
to cleanse?
How often you cleanse is a matter of personal
preference. Traditionally, cleansing was done on a seasonal
basis, often in the spring and fall. Cleansing in the spring
was designed to cope with a possible toxic overload linked
to a heavy winter diet (primarily meat and grains) and to relieve
the digestive tract of cold-weather stagnation. In the fall,
cleansing helped rid the body of parasites, which may have
accumulated over the summer, and tone the digestive tract for
a long winter. Of course, life is not quite as simple as it
once was, and as a result many natural health practitioners
recommend cleansing more frequently throughout the year.
5. What type of cleansing
is the best?
A
gentle, natural cleanse designed specifically for novice cleansers
is the best choice for those who are cleansing for the first
time. Such products typically contain whole herbs (including
garlic, oregano leaf and nettle leaf), which are gentler than
deep-cleansing herbal extracts. Once you have completed a milder
cleanse, you may progress to an advanced cleansing formula made
with concentrated herbal extracts. Periodic liver and heavy metal
cleanses may also prove beneficial. Past to Present
Cultures
throughout history have used natural cleansing methods to improve
their overall health, and we can benefit from their experience.
Herbal cleansing formulas combine the healing power of nature
with your body’s natural detoxification physiology to help
you look and feel your best—even in today’s increasingly
toxic world. |
