Getting the Junk Out: Detoxifying the Body

Getting the Junk Out:
Detoxifying the Body

By Marcia Fairweather
SeeingBlack.com Wellness Writer

As we all attempt to live a healthier lifestyle, the escape from toxins on a daily basis may be difficult to totally avoid. Toxins may result from the accumulation of wastes and may be derived from both internal and external sources. Internal sources may include the combination of foods we eat and emotional impacts, while external sources may include environmental pollutants, medicines, and other chemicals.

As our body generates new cells to keep itself in good health, it also attempts to cleanse itself by the elimination of toxins through the skin, lungs, kidneys, liver, and colon. If one organ becomes congested, the others must work harder to keep the system balanced. In cleansing our body, we want to rid ourselves of the toxic build-up that has accumulated and not been properly released. If the body can be kept free of toxic build-up, then it can be capable of properly replenishing itself. Some of the symptoms caused by toxic build-up include:

Stiff knee and joint pain
Feeling tired and listless, or moody
Dizziness
Headaches
Anemia
Nasal congestion and mucus
A twitching in any part of the body
Skin rashes
Mucus in the colon
Dark circles under eyes and brown blotches on the face

The cleansing techniques described below for each of the detoxifying organs will aid in the renewal of the cells to maintain and balance your health from diseases.

The Skin

Epsom Salt baths, saunas, and steam/fume baths increase perspiration and eliminate excess toxins through the skin (They should be avoided when one has high blood pressure, heart, or kidney problems). Daily brushing of the skin with a natural bristle bath brush or loofah removes dead skin cells and allows the pores to sweat more effectively. Massage is also very beneficial in stimulating the blood and lymph circulation to rid the body of toxins and fatigue poisons. After each of the above-mentioned eliminating activities, a nice warm shower will remove the toxins that have been raised to the surface.

Instructions for An Epsom Salts Bath

Add one cup of Epsom Salts per sixty pounds of body weight to your bath water.
Stir thoroughly to dissolve the salts.
Get into the tub and continue to fill with water to a temperature that is comfortable.
Soak for fifteen to twenty minutes.
Stop at any time you feel uncomfortable, overheated, or light-headed.
Afterwards, wrap up in a towel, lie down, and continue to sweat for thirty minutes.
Follow with a shower in tepid water to cool down. Do not use soaps, since they clog the pores and inhibit the release of toxins.

The Lungs

Deep breathing and moderate exercise such as walking or biking help to detoxify the lungs. Yoga and meditation also offer a great opportunity to perform focused deep breathing exercises.

The Kidneys

Drinking at least eight glasses of water helps to flush the kidneys and remove excess toxins. A glass of water (room temperature) at least thirty minutes prior to eating will aid digestion and may help prevent poisons from accumulating in the system.

The Liver

Although the liver does not produce a waste, it detoxifies matter that is received by the kidney and colon and purifies our blood. If there are too many toxins in the system, it may become overloaded and not provide proper filtration. Detoxifying supplements that contain burdock-root and golden seal are effective at purifying the blood. The supplements provided in this package contain herbs that will assist in detoxifying the liver.

The Colon

The purpose of the colon is to absorb electrolytes and excess water from the digested food matter passed through the small intestines and to form a solid waste product to be removed from the body. Although all of the toxin removing organs (lung, liver, kidney, skin, and colon) must coordinate with each other in order for the body to remove waste, the colon does most of the work (over 70 percent). The use of colonics, enemas and herbal laxatives aid in the cleansing of the colon.

A colonic is a hydrotherapy process that gradually and gently cleanses the colon pockets and stimulates muscle tone. It irrigates the colon by slowly releasing water to stimulate the waste removal in the entire four- to five-feet of the lower intestine. A special colonic board may be purchased at a pharmaceutical store for an at-home colonic or a session at a hydrotherapy center may be professionally administered.

At home, a water enema is the simplest way to irrigate the colon to remove excess waste, especially during a fast. The water usually reaches the lower end of the colon (sigmoid and descending colon as pictured above) during this procedure. Various solutions may be added to the water to help purify and heal the lymph flow, reduce the tendency for acidity, and strengthen the colon.

Next Month: Fasting

Always consult your health care provider before beginning any new wellness regimen. As general manager of Fresco Enterprises, a service organization providing life-enriching programs, Marcia Fairweather has provided this perspective on alternative health care for our readers. This is information is not provided by SeeingBlack.com as a cure for any illness. More information about her programs can be found at http://www.fastingkit.com and http://www.frescoadventures.com.

-- January 28, 2002

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