Detoxifying your system is more important today than ever before. In addition to the health problems which humans have been experiencing for thousands of years, we are now exposed to a variety of environmental poisons. Disease from toxicity is caused by the presence of bio-chemicals which poison the blood and spread via the circulation system. As a result, cells and tissues literally “swim” in a contaminated environment. Detoxification is a treatment regimen which cleanses the blood by removing toxins from the body. One of the body’s natural means for staying healthy is its ability to detoxify itself. The organs of detoxification are the liver, kidneys, bowels, lungs and skin.

Many therapies rest on the skin’s abilities as a detoxifying organ, including the ever more popular infrared sauna, which helps to promotes sweating. A fever is the body’s natural means of toxin elimination during sickness. The heat generated during a fever triggers chemical reactions which enhance the immune system and destroy bacteria and viruses.

Today, many people have mercury in their dental fillings, anaerobic bacteria in their root canals, abnormal bacterial flora in their intestines from antibiotics, lead in their bones from years in which leaded gasoline fuelled our vehicles and machines, and drugs in their bloodstream which throw liver metabolism out of balance. This proliferation of toxic sources demands that we consider detoxification. Toxins that damage the cells of the body are invisible and insidious, breaking down the “in-vironment” of all the body’s systems at the cellular level. This process occurs slowly day by day, year after year, and is thus difficult to detect until the actual onset of disease.   

There are many detoxifying programs offered on the market today. One effective cleansing method is the Milk Thistle Combo tincture which has the following attributes:

Milk Thistle Seeds regenerate liver cells, stimulate the flow of bile, protect the liver from damage caused by hepatitis, has been known to reverse damage caused by alcoholism and drug abuse and helps to repair and reverse cirrhosis of the liver.
Dandelion Root aids in the formation of bile, is a diuretic with a naturally high potassium level, acts to remove poisons from the body and is a blood purifier.

Nettle Leaf helps to build and cleanse the blood, expels gravel from the bladder, is an excellent remedy for kidney ailments, contains high amounts of essential vitamins and minerals and improves mucus conditions in the lungs.

Cat’s Claw Bark is an anti-inflammatory therapy for the treatment of a variety of inflammations, has been shown to greatly diminish the mutagenic substances of tobacco found in the urine of cigarette smokers, helps inhibit the growth of cancer cells, boosts the immune system and works against Crohn’s disease, ulcers, fibromyalgia and asthma.

Herbal tinctures are a great way to get the herbs you need without the unnecessary fillers and other synthetics that make up pressed tablets, gel caps or capsules. Tinctures are instantly absorbed into your bloodstream and are therefore very effective. Combo herbal tinctures are very potent since the liquid herbal extracts work synergistically together as a unit.

The Four-Day Detoxification Diet
Day One:            Eat only fruits-as many as you like throughout the day excluding bananas. Try apples, berries, watermelon, pears, peaches, cherries and whole citrus fruits.
Day Two:            Consume only herbal teas (as often as you like throughout the day) such as raspberry, hyssop, chamomile or peppermint. You may sweeten the tea slightly with honey, maple sugar or stevia.
Day Three:        Consume as many raw or steamed vegetables (or both) as you would like.
Day Four:            Make a large pot of vegetable broth by boiling cauliflower, cabbage, onion, green pepper, parsley, or whatever vegetables that you have on hand. Season with sea salt or vegetable broth cubes. Drink only this rich mineral broth throughout the day.

Healing Effects of the Detox Diet:
Day #1; the colon (your body’s wastebasket) is cleansed. Day #2; Toxins, salt and excessive calcium deposits in the muscles, tissues, and organs are released. Day #3; The digestive tract is supplied with healthy, mineral rich bulk. Day #4; Blood, lymph, and inner organs are mineralized.

A further suggestion is the Seneca Indian Cleansing Diet which can be found in Ageless Remedies from Mother’s Kitchen, by Grandmother of Health, Hanna Kroeger, (1915-1998).

Please note: It is not our intention to make specific health claims. Any attempt to diagnose and treat illness should come under direction of your health care provider.

Klaus Ferlow is a herbalist, innovator, lecturer, researcher, writer, founder and co-owner of FERLOW BOTANICALS, Div. of Ferlow Brothers Ltd, Vancouver, B.C. which manufactures toxin-free medicinal herbal and personal care products for professional health and wellness practitioners across Canada and in parts of the United States since 1993. His educational articles have been published in dozens of Health Magazines, Newspapers, Newsletters and numerous website around the world.
 
Reference:
Encyclopedia of Natural Healing, alive books
7-Day Detox Miracle, by Peter Bennett, ND & Stephen Barrie, ND with Sara Faye