What is detoxification?
Detoxification is the ongoing process of neutralizing or eliminating toxins from the body & mind. Each day we choose what we feed our body and mind. Sometimes we nourish and sometimes we deplete ourselves.
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Detox Diets & Cleanses:
Macrobiotic Healing Diet
Promotes discharging & supports the body’s ability to heal
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Raw Foods Diet
Promotes discharging & supports the body’s ability to heal
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Elimination Diet
Promotes discharging & supports the body’s ability to heal. Often used to identity allergens and food sensitivities
These detox/cleanses should be professionally supervised:
- Fasting or Juice Fast
- Colonics
- Herbal Detox
- Ayurvedic Cleanses
- Bentonite Clay
- Metagenics Ultra Clear products
The above cleanses are appropriate for short term use and are not meant for ongoing use or long-term diets. Most detoxification systems and cleanses are not appropriate for pregnant women, people with AIDS and other serious illnesses. Always consult a health care provider before beginning any detoxification program.
Other ways to cleanse:
- Daily body scrub using wet, very warm wash cloth
- Spring skin cleanse with honey/salt scrub
- Clean up clutter in your life, including relationships, closets, drawers, cabinets, pantries, car, desk, etc.
- Rid yourself of things you no longer need
- Take vigorous walks and hikes
- Spend time outdoors
- Practice yoga
- Exercise
- Spend time with animals
- Swim in the ocean
- Psychotherapy, energy work, massage, acupuncture and other forms of body work
Foods that support detoxification:
- Whole grains, greens, root & sea vegetables, variety of beans (kidney, aduki, chickpeas, etc.)
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- Raw foods are appropriate for some people depending on their physical and emotional condition.
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- Miso, daikon radish, turnips, onion family, shiitake mushrooms, burdock root
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- Herbal remedies
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- Equal parts sour pickle, ketchup and umeboshi plum.
Blend until smooth and creamy. Sip slowly.
What is a healing crisis?
A healing crisis may occur when you undergo physical and/or emotional purification. A healing crisis can last a couple of days or several weeks. Symptoms may include any of the following:
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- flu like symptoms, night sweats, depression
- melancholy, hopelessness, exhaustion
- bad breath, body odor, skin eruptions
- emotional outbursts, mood swings (sometimes severe)
- crying spells, nausea, vomiting
- mouth sores, diarrhea, constipation.
A healing crisis may look like an exacerbation of an existing condition. This often is a difficult distinction to make, but one that is critical. Rely on your intuition. The mind may be tempted to make up stories when going through such change. Please note, the reverse can also be true: an acute illness can also be mistaken for a healing crisis. The passing of a healing crisis is often marked by inner tranquility, increased energy, vitality, clarity, and creative exuberance.
Challenges to the body’s ability to cleanse and discharge:
- Sugar and simple carbohydrates
- White flour, breads, baked foods
- Dairy
- Protein from sick animals, high protein diets
- Processed foods, fried foods, additives, chemicals, food colorings, trans-fats
- Alcohol, cigarettes , recreational and pharmaceutical drugs
- Sugarless products
- Toxic thoughts: resentments, the inability to forgive, arrogance, victim mentality, self destructive thoughts
- Living in a cluttered & toxic environment
- Toxic household cleaners, formaldehyde and many other industrial chemicals
- Shampoos, soaps, creams filled with chemical additives
