| A good cleansing
program provides an excellent starting point on a healthful path and will
include supporting all of the body organ systems and cleansing pathways.
Often during the process of a cleansing program we have the opportunity to
gain clarity about underlying issues that can be addressed, both at physical
and psychological levels.
Throughout the body
metabolic processes in each cell result in waste material that is carried
through the fluids surrounding the cells through the blood stream to the
body’s primary recycling center in the liver. Materials toxic to the body
acquired on the skin, ingested or inhaled are also passed into the blood
stream bound for the liver detoxification processes.
The liver accomplishes more than 70% of the detoxification within the
body. Because the liver has more than 300 different jobs to do to maintain
our bodies in healthy condition, herbs to assist liver function take center
stage in a cleansing program. Toxicity often occurs when the liver is
overwhelmed by the load of work due to unhealthful lifestyle and lacking the
nutrients necessary to process the recycling of toxins. Scientific evidence is accumulating to
implicate increasing toxicity as an instigating factor in a number of
serious diseases including cancer.
About one-fourth of
the remaining natural detoxification processes occur in the intestinal
tract, with the colon and urinary tract being the final passage for waste
disposal. Herbs can assist these organs to function optimally in releasing
their contents to avoid the re-absorption of waste materials into the blood
stream.
Although popular
voices claim that colon buildup or parasites are the source of most
toxicity, in my years of herbal practice I discovered disordered digestion
and flora imbalance (commonly called “candida”) from poor quality food,
deficiency of nutrients, stress, use of alcohol and prescription drugs is
often at
the root of such very common problems such as acid reflux, irritable bowel,
and increasing food intolerances. Go to Questions &
Answers to see more information about cleansing programs and popular
diets. Traditionally, herbal cleanses were taken in the spring time, often using fresh spring greens from local wild weeds to stimulate liver and digestion. However, a cleanse can be taken anytime. It is wise not to embark on a major cleanse or fast during the heat of summer or deep cold of winter, as this can put too much stress on the body. Folks in recovery from alcohol or drug addiction
can benefit, as a cleanse can support regaining good health and
a reduction of cravings.
Those who should not take a cleanse include women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, children, people who are weak, underweight or recuperating from serious illness or surgery, organ transplant patients should not take cleanses. If you have just experienced a major life stress or are in a grief period it is best to wait until you have regained some emotional balance before attempting a cleanse.
Cleanses can improve digestive, eliminative, and detoxification functions so that the effectiveness (and toxicity) of medications increase or decrease beyond their therapeutic range. In other words, improving your digestion could make you more sensitive to medications, which could be dangerous. People with serious or chronic illnesses such as AIDS, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and auto-immune conditions are at greatest risk, since their medications may have very crucial functions and narrow dosage ranges.
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