Detoxification and Cleansing

Seasonal Detoxification and Cleansing

by Martha Grier

Just as our homes need a top-to-bottom cleaning a couple of times a year, so do our bodies. Sometimes it’s not enough to dust and clean the surfaces of where we live. There are times when it’s necessary to move the furniture out of the way, lift the rugs, and even purge through our belongings in order to discard items we’ve accumulated over the years but no longer need.

Similarly, our internal body systems need periodic cleansings in order to get rid of undigested food matter and toxins that have accumulated over time. Going through a seasonal cleanse helps our bodies to operate at optimum efficiency and aids in the healing and prevention of illness.

In addition to our physical bodies, there are also times when our emotional and spiritual selves could benefit from a sort of purification and cleansing of feelings and ideas which no longer contribute to our highest good.

There are many ways to do a detoxification and cleanse of body, mind, and spirit. Below are some suggestions. (Of course, one should always seek the advice of a trained health professional before engaging in a detoxification program.)

Juice Fast: Drinking freshly prepared vegetable and fruit juices for 3-7 days is an excellent way to cleanse your body of accumulated toxins. A couple of resources on juice fasting are: Juicing for Life by Cherie Calborn, and Dr. Jensen’s Juicing Therapy by Bernard Jensen.

Simplified Food Choices and/or Elimination Diet: You can eliminate “complicated” and/or unhealthy foods from the diet and switch to a diet of more easily digested and healthful foods. For instance, eliminating red meat, dairy, caffeine and simple sugars from the diet, and adding more fruits, vegetables and broths is an excellent way to prepare the body for a juice fast.

There is an Indian dish called Kicharee (see recipe in sidebar) which is made up of mung beans, rice and medicinal spices like turmeric, cumin, cardamom and ginger that is used for people who would like to give their digestive systems a rest. It is also used for patients recovering from illness. It is super nutritious and easily digested.

Herbal supplements: There are several herbal products which will aid in the elimination process of the digestive system. There is a detoxification kit that I’ve used for the last few years, and highly recommend to clients, which takes you through a gradual and thorough colon cleansing. I like it because you are given three different ways to use the product. You have the choice of doing the colon cleansing from 8 to 30 days, depending on your circumstances. The amount of energy and focus you’ll have while on the program is amazing! Cravings disappear. And there is never an urgency to run to the bathroom. You can do the program and still work, though I recommend trying to adjust your social schedule so that you can also create as much stillness in your life as possible.

Therapeutic bodywork: Getting a massage, sauna, or doing other therapeutic bodywork such as acupuncture, Reiki, and yoga is an excellent way to help the body eliminate toxins while engaged in a purification program.

Sense Therapy: Reducing the assault on your senses is a critical part of any detoxification and cleansing program, especially if you live in an urban environment. As your body goes through purification, it’s important to give your mind and senses a rest. For instance, if you are going to do a three-day juice fast, it would be extremely beneficial to reduce your activities for that three-day period. Turn off the television, don’t read the newspaper, and minimize contact with other people. If at all possible, being in a natural setting at some point during your detoxification process will also help increase the peace in your body, mind, and spirit.