At the core of any cleansing experience is the emotional component of dis-ease. Unexpressed emotions are held in the body organs and tissues and when experiencing deep cleansing these emotions inevitably rise to the surface to be released. These feelings can range from anger and frustration, loneliness, sadness, resentment, unpleasant memories, fear, anxiety and more. As the emotions arise they quickly dissolve, leaving you feeling lighter and freer than before. However there are times when the emotions are strong enough or persistant enough that they call out for a deeper level of support and healing.

Many systems of complementary medicine have developed over the years as our understanding of the link between physical symptoms, disease and the emotional life have deepened. Body/mind psychotherapy, Polarity therapy, a variety of body work techniques, chi nei tsang, flower essences, music, art and dance therapy, guided imagery and visualization, and biofeedback are examples of modern therapies that recognize that true healing must address the deeper causes of disease and that the ‘patient’ must become a ‘student’ of their own life and emotions if they wish to achieve real cure of conditions, versus using palliative treatments that ultimately leave the system weaker and less well than before. Traditional medical systems have long recognized the connection between mind, emotions and the body and offer a rich heritage of wisdom and therapies to support body/mind healing.

Following are some suggestions to support emotional detox during a cleansing programme. It is a small list and there are many more wonderful possiblities, but these suggestions are an excellent place to start and are also a tremendous support in day to day life.

Play Outside
Spending time outdoors, having fun, being with friends, walking, dancing, laughing are all ways to lift the emotions and inspire wellness. When feeling down in the dumps, tired, frustrated or under the influence of other negative emotions being able to access the part of you that wants to have fun may seem a challenge. To get the ball rolling in that direction, first, get outside. Breathe the air. Walk and move. Enjoy the beauty of nature, whether it be at a local park or in the countryside. Then try some of the following suggestions:

Flower Essences
Flower Essences were created by Dr. Edward Bach, an experienced physician and homeopath, in the years between 1928 and his death in 1936. This eight year period created 38 essences from flowers that treat the mental/emotional components of disease. These remedies offer some of the finest mind/body therapies available today and it is highly recommended to pick up a copy of ‘The 38 Bach Flower Essences’ as a laymans guide to choosing remedies for your own use. Each of the 38 remedies address subtle patterns of expression within the individual. Examples include: Mimulus – for fear of known things such as illness, death, poverty, loneliness, pain, etc, Scleranthus for those that suffer from indecision, White Chestnut for unwanted recurring mental thoughts and arguments…and of course 35 others. Crabapple is a common remedy to take during cleansing as it is the cleansing remedy for body and mind and offers support for feelings related to poor self image. Each remedy has both its positive and its negative expression. For example, the positive expression of Scleranthus is certainty and decisiveness, and the ability to act promptly when circumstances demand it.

In practical terms a Flower Essence practitioner will determine which remedy most accurately describes the mental and emotional pattern that you manifest (you can also choose remedies for yourself) and will create a personal remedy by combining the remedy with distilled water in a dropper bottle to be taken 4 drops 4 x a day. It can be taken more frequently in acute situations.

Since Dr. Edwards Bach’s death a number of other practitioners have developed further remedies. Of note are the Icelandic Flower Essences created by Kristbjorg Kristmundsdottir and the Australian Bush Remedites created by Ian White. There are also others. Exploring this fascinating branch of vibrational medicine is a wonderful opportunity for self healing and can be used as a support for family and friends as well.

Essential Oils
Essential oils are some of the oldest and most powerful therapeutic agents known to man. In their pure state, essential oils exhibit significant and immediate antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, hormone-balancing effects. In clinical practise, they have been shown to have a profound influence on the central nervous system, helping to reduce or eliminate pain, release muscle tension and provide strong emotional uplift. The chemical structure of an essential oil is such that it can rapidly penetrate cell membranes, travel throughout the blood and tissues, and enhance cellular function.

With essential oils quality is everything and blends can be more effective than using single oils. Following are some essential oil blends that are excellent for use during a cleanse. Contact me for details of where and how to purchase them.

Release – Release combines uplifting, calming oils that stimulate a sense of peace and emotional wellbeing, which in turn facilitate the ability to release anger and frustration. Repressed negative emotions lie at the root of many health concerns. Release promotes harmony and balance in the mind and body.

Apply 2 drops to the palm and gently rub your two palms together. Cup your hands to your nose and breathe slowly and deeply for one minute. Rub the remainder of the oil onto the chest area and on the back of the neck.

Also massage into the Liver reflex area and the Spleen reflex area on the soles of the feet.

Trauma Life – Trauma Life is a calming, grounding blend of therapeutic grade essential oils formulated to help release buried emotional trauma resulting from accidents, neglect, the death of a loved one, assault, or abuse. Left unchecked emotionally draining episodes may be at the root of fatigue.

Apply 4 drops to the palm and massage in along the length of the spine. It may be helpful to enlist a friend to apply the oil.

Take 2 to 4 drops and rub into the abdomen in a clockwise direction. Trauma is frequently held in the digestive system and this combination of oils will help to ease tension so that old traumas can be released.

3 Wise Men - Opens the subconscious mind through pineal stimulation to release deep-seated trauma. Engenders a sense of grounding and uplifting through emotional releasing and elevated spiritual consciousness. 

Diffuse or directly inhale, or add 2 -4 drops to bath water. Also add 2 drops on the crown of the head, behind ears, over eyebrows, on chect, over thymus and at the back of the neck. Excellent for use in massage if diluted 1:15 with vegetable oil.

Harmony - Promotes physical and emotional healing by creating a harmonic balance to the energy centers of the body. It is beneficial in reducing stress and amplifying well-being. It is also uplifting and elevating to the mind creating a positive attitude.

Apply 2-4 drops to bath water. Also apply 1 to 2 drops on edge of ears, wrists, neck, temples, over heart and on areas of poor circulation.

Bodywork
Methods such as Polarity therapy, acupuncture and acupressure, cranial sacral therapy, shiatsu, and massage are all excellent ways to move buried emotions and bring them to the surface to be released. Combined with essential oils these treatments can help to create a new emotional response to circumstance no longer based on cellular memory of past events. The cooperation and active involvement of the patient is always necessary to manifest genuine healing.

Colon Cleansing
Many emotions brought to the surface during cleansing are released with the next bowel movement. The use of enemas and/or colonics during a cleanse can be a very helpful way to increase the benefit of cleansing both physically and emotionally.

There are many more methods to approach emotional healing, but these recommendations are a good place to start. As emotions from the past regularly appear during cleansing it is an excellent time to put these methods into practise, and they can be continued long after your cleansing programme is completed.

EnJoy