What is Detoxification & When Should You Detox

There has been a lot of talk about detoxification, detox diets and whether they are necessary, healthy, or appropriate for the body. Doctors are split over the controversial issue. Alternative medical professionals recommend a detoxification at least once a year especially with the increased concern over toxicity in our food, water, air, medicine and environment.  Ayurvedic medicine, Traditional Chinese medicine and herbalism have been using detoxification for thousands of years. However, traditional medical practitioners dispute the reasons for the use of detoxification. They question the scientific basis or benefit behind detoxification because the body is an extraordinary healer with its own system of elimination. Read more...

Foods to Detox the Body

As toxicity has become a growing concern within our society the need for detox has grown greater. With newer, stronger chemicals in the air, water, drugs, medications and foods the risk for exposure is much greater than it was in the past. Other factors such as lifestyle also lead to the risk of exposure to pollutants, irritants and toxins. Food plays a major role in the body’s ability to eliminate toxins and chemicals. The body requires essential nutrients through food, supplements or vitamins to maintain metabolic balance. However, a poor diet that consists of foods with additives, flavor enhancers, food coloring, artificial preservatives, and refined and processed foods can compromise the body’s ability to eliminate unnecessary chemicals. Fresh and organically grown foods help to cleanse and detoxify the body. Food that is rich in fiber, high in water content and full of vitamins and minerals all help to eliminate impurities. Detoxifying foods stimulate excretion of toxic chemicals and replace them with nutrients that the body needs to restore health. When you have digestive problems, constipation, a distended stomach or sluggish elimination, look at your diet and replace fast food, soda and empty calorie snacks with these detoxifying foods. Read more...

The Difference Between Herbs and Spices For Detoxing

Naturopathic medicine has been using detoxification for over 3000 years. Ayurvedic medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Native Americans, and folk medicine all use herbs and spices for medicinal and detoxification purposes. Herbs and spices are the primary detox supplements used to cleanse the body of toxins. During detoxification herbs and spices aid the bodies natural elimination systems. The bodies natural elimination system includes the liver, urinary system, digestive system, skin and lungs. Herbs and spices can be classified by the organ or system for which it works upon once it enters the body. There are a variety of ways that herbs and spices can be consumed to help cleanse the body of toxins. The difference between herbs and spices is that herbs are the leafy, green part of plants and spices come from the dried seeds, fruit, root, bark and vegetative substance. All spices are herbs however not all herbs are spices. Both herbs and spices can be added to foods, consumed alone, made into a tea or concoction or applied with oil. When used in detoxing the body, herbs and spices have different properties such as nutritive, rejuvenative, alterative, demulcent, antioxidant, antifungal, laxative, diuretic, antiseptic, expectorants, diaphoretic and cholagogue. Here you can find a list of herbs and how they act upon the bodies systems. Read more...