Herbal Detox

HERBAL DETOX
What is an herbal detox? It is a natural, gentle way to stimulate and cleanse the body's own detoxification organs. The human body is naturally designed to eliminate toxins through a continuos detox cycle. The organs involved in this cycle are the liver, kidneys, bowel, and lymph.
Due to lifestyle changes brought on by advances in civilization and technology, our bodies own detox system becomes overloaded and cannot
properly eliminate toxins. Science acknowledges that this is a contributing factor in degenerative disease, chronic symptoms and other health conditions. This is where an herbal detox is beneficial.
An herbal detox revs up the body's own detox system, helping the body eliminate excess toxins. Herbal detox supplements come as capsules,
tablets, powders, liquids or teas. Herbal detox liquid extracts often contain a small amount of alcohol. These are considered to be better than capsules, as the body does not need to digest the capsule first. Herbal detox teas are very gentle, easily absorbed, and have mild cleansing properties. Teas can also provide energy during a liquid detox fast. Herbal detox supplements are often used in particular combinations in order to have a more powerful effect.
HERBAL DETOX FOR THE COLON

* The colon should be the starting point of an herbal detox, because the colon is one of the main routes for toxin elimination.

* A colon herbal detox combines laxative herbs like rhubarb, cascara, and chia seeds, with plant fiber such as psyllium husk or other fibers such as oat/rice bran, pea fiber, or linseed.

* Some colon cleanses will also cleanse lymph, blood, and kidney systems simultaneously.
HERBAL DETOX FOR THE KIDNEYS

* A colon cleanse will help cleanse the kidneys, however the kidneys should have a cleanse of their own.

* Dandelions, parsley, juniper berries, buchu, birch and uva ursi are diuretics, promoting increase urination. These herbal detox supplements can help treat repeated infections of the kidney and bladder.

* Gravel root, hydrangea, and yarrow and birch tea help to dissolve kidney stones.

* Uva Ursi (Bearberry) and chamomile relieve muscle spasms and ease the passage of kidney stones.

HERBAL DETOX FOR THE LIVER

* The liver works to change toxins in to safer forms that can be more easily excreted. An herbal detox for the liver is essential.

* Dandelion root, burdock and yellow dock are herbal detox cleansers for the liver.

* Artichoke, artemesia, berberis, centaury and gentian stimulate bile.
* Milk thistle detoxifies the liver.
HERBAL DETOX FOR THE LYMPH

* The lymphatic system is part of the body's immune system carrying waste and toxins from cells through the blood stream to be processed by the liver and excreted through the other systems discussed. It is important to cleanse the lymph for proper function of the immune system.

* Herbs to aid in lymph detox are astragalus, Echinacea, cleavers, golden seal, wild indigo root, red root, burdock, red clover, stillingia root and mullein leaf.
An herbal detox of any system will be more effective if combined with an organic natural foods diet, sufficient pure water (no less than 8 - 8 oz. glasses/per day), and regular exercise.
As with any attempt at detox, consult a health care professional before beginning an herbal detox.
About the Author
Sandy Halliday, a former nurse, is a nutritionist and health researcher with over 20 years experience with many different types of detox. She is passionate about the role of nutrition and detoxification for the prevention of illness and aging as well as the improvement of many health conditions. She is the author of a new eBook The Definitive Detox Diet