We want our body to cope with whatever we want to do yet we overload it with toxins, alcohol, cigarettes and junk food – not surprising that a lot of us are quite unhealthy. Every now and then, we need to help the body do what it needs to do by helping it to get rid of the build-up of toxins and have a good cleanout so to speak!
We want our body to cope with whatever we want to do yet we overload it with toxins, alcohol, cigarettes and junk food – not surprising that a lot of us are quite unhealthy. Every now and then, we need to help the body do what it needs to do by helping it to get rid of the build-up of toxins and have a good cleanout so to speak!
The liver is one of our major organs, without which we would die. Its job is to to detoxify the body, getting rid of all the rubbish from our diet, whether processing our excessive alcohol binge or the rubbish we eat on a day-to-day basis; that is without toxins we may take in from our environment. If you feel lethargic or tired all the time, chances are you just need to refresh your body a little. If you can make a few simple changes to your daily life, then you will become generally healthier. We all know we should drink more filtered water, eat more fruit and vegetables, exercise more, reduce caffeine and alcohol intake and cut out the junk…but do we do it?? So here are some simple pointers that can assist the body to glow with health, and if your internal organs work more efficiently, then this will reflect in a more glowing complexion; your skin is your largest organ and your internal health is reflected on the outside. Your body is like a car engine; if all the parts are clean and well-oiled, then all works, but if no attention is paid to it, something will break down…your body is no different. Detoxing can help keep your engine running properly.
Now those who know me know that I am not one of these fitness fanatics and can’t resist my cup of filter coffee on a daily basis. I am not interested in fasting one day a week (which is supposed to be really healthy but I cannot work on an empty stomach). Anyway, I believe it is what you eat and drink that helps or hinders, not no-eating…but if you feel that you want to fast, then go ahead, but it ain’t for me!! I would much rather spend a few days eating organic fruit and vegetables, salads and whole grains and drinking lots of herb teas and water than stop eating…what do you think? With a few simple changes to your lifestyle, you can encourage good health, a better immune system and a clear skin, and that is my plan Stan!!
When to do the detox is another issue. I try and detox (or put my diet back on track) after the winter, using the philosophy of “Spring clean your home, spring clean your body!!” I am completely against the January thing as we are stil in the throws of winter and the last thing you need when the temperatures are low is to fill your body with thin and cold foods…my recommendation is you wait until the spring. Plan your detox well as there may be a few days when you really don’t feel too great. The chemical withdrawals can be quite bad. Take away the caffeine in tea and coffee, you are guaranteed to bring on the headache!! Here are my detoxing tips…
Detoxing tip No 1:
The idea behind detoxing is to take away the bad habits and replace them with good ones, and who knows, you might just continue when you realise how great you feel when you come out the other side. However, the toxins first have to be flushed out. To do this, you must increase your intake of water, so invest in a filter jug. I have had mine for years and can actually tell when the filter is on the way out as I can taste the difference and know when chemicals are not being removed, and our water in Scotland is pretty good!! It is imperative that the water levels be increased to remove the toxins easily from the system. Drinking lots of water and herb teas throughout the day will ease the process on the body. This is a great habit to get into and to continue daily – we can live weeks without food but only 3 days without water…it is that important to our body so get drinking. Add a slice of lemon or lime if you want to flavour it – do not buy these flavoured mineral waters as they have ruined good water by adding chemicals!! Defeats the purpose don’t you think!! Also, add crystals to your water jug to put your own minerals back into the water. Check out our “water works” range, already selected for things like detoxing, health and weight balance – simply add to the jug and let the minerals do the rest; £4.50 per set. Drink up to eight glasses daily pure water and you are on your way to rehydrating that body and skin. A glass of warm water with some freshly squeezed lemon juice on rising will also help your system to a good start.
Detoxing tip No 2:
Change your diet to include lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrain rice & cereals, live bio yoghurt (preferably all organic as much as possible) with herb teas to drink. The vegetables can be turned into juices if you like drinking them – carrot juice is a good one as they are full of good beta-carotene and antioxidants. Vegetable soup is another option with added herbs and black pepper. Toasted seeds can be added to salads for added nutrition as can herbs and fruit. I usually use the Candidiasis diet, which is availble from the shop or off the website when I detox, as it gives a good guide to what you can eat, but the choice is yours – I just know this works for me!! Eat as much or as little as you feel you need but vary your diet as much as possible so you can enjoy your new lifestyle. Try things you haven’t tried before, eat slowly and chew your food properly.
It is amazing once you have made the transformation from junk food to healthy food. You will feel alive and bursting with energy, once the toxins have left the body. The main issue is headache so use essential oils such as my migraine remedy to relieve it. Drink lots of water to rehydrate and a couple of days should see it subside – DO NOT go putting medication into your system to get rid of the headache as you are defeating the purpose. Start your detox plan when you have a weekend off or a wee short break so that you can relax and go through the process rather than try and work whilst detoxing.
Plan your detox and you can start cutting down on the caffeine and adding more water, fruit & vegetables etc into your diet prior to the detox so your system doesn’t go into complete meltdown. If you feel unwell, take to your bath and add a few warming, relaxing oils to help you feel better…a little bit of indulgence whilst detoxing is exactly what the doctor ordered so indulge in some R&R so as to help your body process what it needs to and make the transition quicker. A bath at night will also relax you ready for sleep so just enjoy…
Detoxing tip No 3:
Supplementing with anti-oxidants will help the body by supporting the liver and kidneys, the organs which are responsible for toxin removal. Anti-oxidants are protective substances that go round the body mopping up the rubbish products. Known as the ACE team, they are Vitamins A, C & E and make a powerful clean-up team.
Vitamin A can be toxic if taken in excess so better being made by the body from carotenes, the easiest being beta-carotene, which is in all vegetables that are green, red or orange such as carrots, sweet potatoes, kale or peppers. The supplements tend to be on this basis and are included in your multi-vitamin.
Everyone knows the benefit of Vitamin C and I take it every day. Those who take it daily have been proven to have a lower risk of developing coronary heart disease and some cancers, so I think well worthwhile. When detoxing, take 1000mg Ester-C 2-3 times daily. Ester-C is specially formulated to be absorbed into the body more quickly, and stays there longer too!!
Vitamin E is another powerful anti-oxidant that protects the body fats against the free radicals; 400 IU to be taken daily during detox (check your multi-vit for contents)
These supplements should be taken alongside a good daily multi-vitamin supplement if not enough is included.
Milk thistle is herbal anti-oxidant, by means of supporting the liver and protecting the liver cells from damage from toxins whilst also encouraging the liver to regenerate. Start with a low dose of 15 drops x 3 daily and steadily increase to the full dose over the next three weeks. 50ml £4.25, 100ml £8.00 (3 weeks full dose)
Echinacea to boost the immune system will also be helpful at this time.
It would also be very beneficial during detoxing to take a therapeutic dose of probiotics. The probiotics creat a healthy intestinal environment that help remove toxins from the body. Most people have more harmful bacteria in their system than friendly, so to change this balance has to be good for you. Eating organic live bacteria daily as well as supplementing with tablets will help re-establish a balanced system. Make sure you take an “advanced” range which will go through the stomach acid and into the colon to start the clean up.
Detoxing tip No 4:
It is imperative that, whilst detoxing, you indulge in some pampering that will also encourage your body to detox alonside some gentle exercise such as walking. Bathing daily will not only make you feel better but will help to detox the body through the skin. Oils like Juniper, fennel and grapefruit are all cleansing and balancing, or use my detox oil blend, so add a total of 8 drops to the bath, and relax for 20 minutes. Then, use the Salt 2 silk detox at the end of the relaxation period in the bath (or use in the shower) to cleanse, tone and boost circulation to help eliminate waste and cellulite; £5.75 per 250ml tub. You are now ready to get out of the bath. Drink at least 1-2 glasses water whilst in the bath to help encourage elimination…
Following the bath or every morning, add 3 drops detoxing oil per 5ml carrier oil and massage bum, tum and thighs to encourage elimination, fight cellulite and boost circulation. If you have a partner, get them to massage your whole body so you can indulge and enjoy the experience. And contrary to popular belief, you cannot add this oil to a burner and your cellulite will start to fade…if it was as simple as that, I would sell it to the USA and retire to Cyprus!!
If you can keep up this routine for at least a week to 10 days but 3-4 weeks is better, especially if you want to encourage a good healthy routine for life. The first few days will be the worst but it should get easier after that. Once you have finished your set time, bring foods kept out such as bread or hard cheese back slowly one at a time. Continue supplements for another 3 weeks minimum whilst reintroducing missing foods and drink. Hopefully, you will now feel wonderful and will enjoy the new, fitter, healthier you. Good luck
Bright blessings from
Chris (alias the Green Witch)
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