Detox Symptoms - Part Two
16/10/08 05:01 Filed in: Self Healing
The Eliminative Channels
Detox symptoms are a big subject and one that comes up for all who pursue deeper cleansing and rejuvenation. Temporary symptoms range from minor headaches or irritability to rashes, diarrhea, and mild muscle cramps to, in cases of chronic toxicity, vomiting and flu like symptoms, and are part of the process when one decides that toxins are better OUT than IN.
Even so we are in the drivers seat when it comes to minimizing detox symptoms. The first, and most important step, is to ensure that the eliminative system is fully active. Herbs to support bowel and kidney function, along with treatments to support elimination from the skin are the foundation of an effective cleansing programme. Once these systems are activated it becomes possible to use fasting and deeper purifying herbs to encourage elimination from organs and tissues.
Activating Elimination from the Skin
1. Skin scrubbing – using a slightly stiff skin brush (available from many health food stores) dry scrub the skin in circular motions, always moving toward the heart, from the extremities to the center of the body. This is supposed to be stimulating. That means that pink skin and a tingly feeling are ideal. Another method for skin scrubbing is to mix Epsom salts with honey to make a paste and then scrub the entire body in the same fashion as with a dry brush. Doing this while standing in the bath will mean that the excess falls into the bath and you can soak in the Epsom salts, furthering the effect of stimulating healthy elimination from the skin.
2. Far Infrared Saunas are simply amazing. I have my own and feel tremendously fortunate that this is the case. I will write about the benefits of the Far Infrared Sauna another day, but for now I would like to mention the benefits of active perspiration. It is surprising how many people simply don’t sweat. Yet the skin is a primary eliminative channel and a key player in the balance of acid/alkaline in the body. If possible, enjoy regular saunas or far infrared saunas while cleansing.
3. Hot baths – another way to stimulate perspiration is with a hot bath. Bathing can be turned into the ‘fine art of cleansing’ with added ingredients such as essential oils, herbs and Epsom salts. Hot baths stimulate perspiration and also provide the opportunity to absorb the benefits of added ingredients.
4. Exercise – of course exercise also stimulates perspiration. However, if you are going through a deep cleanse then you may not have the energy available for exercise, as your body focuses it’s energy on healing during this time.
5. Occasionally rashes and itching may appear during cleansing. Do not suppress these symptoms. Support elimination through the skin, bowels and kidneys and ease symptoms by bathing in Chickweed baths.
Activating Elimination from the Bowel
1. Herbs have long been used to activate elimination from the Bowel and there are many formulae available for this purpose. Dr. John R. Christopher has an excellent bowel formulae, as does Dr. Farida Sharan. Generally products that rely upon Senna are not recommended as they do not cleanse and rejuvenate simultaneously. Also, bowel formulae that contain Golden Seal must be alternated with formulae that use other herbs to activate the bowel, as Golden Seal is an astringent and should not be used more than five weeks in a row.
2. Enemas – Bowel cleansing is at the core of a cleansing and rejuvenation programme and enemas are your primary defense against detox symptoms. In addition, in a similar way to baths, you can experience the benefits of added ingredients. Here are a few suggestions:
a. Coffee enema – well known for it’s effective use in Gerson therapy, for cleansing the blood and supporting liver function.
b. Catnip enema – mildly nervine, calming, soothing, relaxing; effectively brings down fevers
c. Alternative to the coffee enema – Make a decoction of Yellow Dock and Burdock roots, then add a Red Clover and Red Raspberry infusion. This enema stimulates the liver to dump bile, relieving stress an pain in a healing crisis. A decoction is when you boil herbs (50g to 1000 ml) for a period of 10 minutes. An infusion is when you pour boiling water onto herbs, and then allow to steep for 6+ minutes (like tea).
d. Witch Hazel, Bayberry or White Oak bark are used to help stop diarrhea and dysentery.
e. Flaxseed Enema – Relieves inflammation, pain and bleeding. Bleeding from the colon should be looked at by an experienced physician.
Activating Elimination from the Kidney
1. Of primary importance is that you drink adequate fluids, and when cleansing this amount should be increased significantly to support elimination from the kidneys. Again, added ingredients make all the difference:
2. Water balance tea: This formulae, created by Dr. Farida Sharan has more than 30 years of clinical use and is effective in regulating the elimination of water and nourishing the kidneys. It is mildly diuretic. Infuse equal parts couchgrass, parsley leaves, clivers, buchu, uva ursi and chickweed. This formulae is also available from the School of Natural Medicine.
3. Cranberry juice – this is mildly diuretic and also helps to balance acid/alkaline in the urinary system. It is commonly used for the relief of urinary tract infections.
4. Ginger Kidney poultice. Apply grated ginger to the kidney area, cover with a face cloth, wrap with a bandage around the abdomen to secure in place, and then apply a hot water bottle or heating pad to warm the area. The first couple of times that you try this you may not be able to apply the poultice for more than a few minutes as the skin becomes hot and itchy as circulation is brought to the kidneys. An excellent treatment for activating kidney chi and stimulating kidney function.
These are a handful of suggestions for supporting the eliminative channels and there are many more possibilities depending on individual needs. It is important before cleansing to meet with a qualified Naturopath and Iridologist who can assess the condition of eliminative systems and guide a programme accordingly. In Detox Symptoms - Part Three I will address another level of cleansing symptoms - Emotional Detox.
Detox symptoms are a big subject and one that comes up for all who pursue deeper cleansing and rejuvenation. Temporary symptoms range from minor headaches or irritability to rashes, diarrhea, and mild muscle cramps to, in cases of chronic toxicity, vomiting and flu like symptoms, and are part of the process when one decides that toxins are better OUT than IN.
Even so we are in the drivers seat when it comes to minimizing detox symptoms. The first, and most important step, is to ensure that the eliminative system is fully active. Herbs to support bowel and kidney function, along with treatments to support elimination from the skin are the foundation of an effective cleansing programme. Once these systems are activated it becomes possible to use fasting and deeper purifying herbs to encourage elimination from organs and tissues.
Activating Elimination from the Skin
1. Skin scrubbing – using a slightly stiff skin brush (available from many health food stores) dry scrub the skin in circular motions, always moving toward the heart, from the extremities to the center of the body. This is supposed to be stimulating. That means that pink skin and a tingly feeling are ideal. Another method for skin scrubbing is to mix Epsom salts with honey to make a paste and then scrub the entire body in the same fashion as with a dry brush. Doing this while standing in the bath will mean that the excess falls into the bath and you can soak in the Epsom salts, furthering the effect of stimulating healthy elimination from the skin.
2. Far Infrared Saunas are simply amazing. I have my own and feel tremendously fortunate that this is the case. I will write about the benefits of the Far Infrared Sauna another day, but for now I would like to mention the benefits of active perspiration. It is surprising how many people simply don’t sweat. Yet the skin is a primary eliminative channel and a key player in the balance of acid/alkaline in the body. If possible, enjoy regular saunas or far infrared saunas while cleansing.
3. Hot baths – another way to stimulate perspiration is with a hot bath. Bathing can be turned into the ‘fine art of cleansing’ with added ingredients such as essential oils, herbs and Epsom salts. Hot baths stimulate perspiration and also provide the opportunity to absorb the benefits of added ingredients.
4. Exercise – of course exercise also stimulates perspiration. However, if you are going through a deep cleanse then you may not have the energy available for exercise, as your body focuses it’s energy on healing during this time.
5. Occasionally rashes and itching may appear during cleansing. Do not suppress these symptoms. Support elimination through the skin, bowels and kidneys and ease symptoms by bathing in Chickweed baths.
Activating Elimination from the Bowel
1. Herbs have long been used to activate elimination from the Bowel and there are many formulae available for this purpose. Dr. John R. Christopher has an excellent bowel formulae, as does Dr. Farida Sharan. Generally products that rely upon Senna are not recommended as they do not cleanse and rejuvenate simultaneously. Also, bowel formulae that contain Golden Seal must be alternated with formulae that use other herbs to activate the bowel, as Golden Seal is an astringent and should not be used more than five weeks in a row.
2. Enemas – Bowel cleansing is at the core of a cleansing and rejuvenation programme and enemas are your primary defense against detox symptoms. In addition, in a similar way to baths, you can experience the benefits of added ingredients. Here are a few suggestions:
a. Coffee enema – well known for it’s effective use in Gerson therapy, for cleansing the blood and supporting liver function.
b. Catnip enema – mildly nervine, calming, soothing, relaxing; effectively brings down fevers
c. Alternative to the coffee enema – Make a decoction of Yellow Dock and Burdock roots, then add a Red Clover and Red Raspberry infusion. This enema stimulates the liver to dump bile, relieving stress an pain in a healing crisis. A decoction is when you boil herbs (50g to 1000 ml) for a period of 10 minutes. An infusion is when you pour boiling water onto herbs, and then allow to steep for 6+ minutes (like tea).
d. Witch Hazel, Bayberry or White Oak bark are used to help stop diarrhea and dysentery.
e. Flaxseed Enema – Relieves inflammation, pain and bleeding. Bleeding from the colon should be looked at by an experienced physician.
Activating Elimination from the Kidney
1. Of primary importance is that you drink adequate fluids, and when cleansing this amount should be increased significantly to support elimination from the kidneys. Again, added ingredients make all the difference:
2. Water balance tea: This formulae, created by Dr. Farida Sharan has more than 30 years of clinical use and is effective in regulating the elimination of water and nourishing the kidneys. It is mildly diuretic. Infuse equal parts couchgrass, parsley leaves, clivers, buchu, uva ursi and chickweed. This formulae is also available from the School of Natural Medicine.
3. Cranberry juice – this is mildly diuretic and also helps to balance acid/alkaline in the urinary system. It is commonly used for the relief of urinary tract infections.
4. Ginger Kidney poultice. Apply grated ginger to the kidney area, cover with a face cloth, wrap with a bandage around the abdomen to secure in place, and then apply a hot water bottle or heating pad to warm the area. The first couple of times that you try this you may not be able to apply the poultice for more than a few minutes as the skin becomes hot and itchy as circulation is brought to the kidneys. An excellent treatment for activating kidney chi and stimulating kidney function.
These are a handful of suggestions for supporting the eliminative channels and there are many more possibilities depending on individual needs. It is important before cleansing to meet with a qualified Naturopath and Iridologist who can assess the condition of eliminative systems and guide a programme accordingly. In Detox Symptoms - Part Three I will address another level of cleansing symptoms - Emotional Detox.
