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 by Dr. Rita Louise
Summer is here. It is the time of year that many of us like to spend time outdoors enjoying activities from baseball to b-b-que's. During the warm summer months our diets often change. We let go of the heavy foods we consumed during the winter and entertain a lighter dining fare. We no longer want steak and potatoes. Instead, our bodies naturally begin to crave fruits and vegetables, salads and slaws. Our desire to consume liquids to quench our thirst and rehydrate our bodies also increases. This makes the summer months an excellent time to cleanse the body.
Cleansing the body can be likened to performing spring cleaning on our homes. When we spring clean we tidy our closets, dust the furniture, scrub the floors and wash the windows. Our homes always look and feel better when we are done. Cleansing our bodies can do the same for us. It can leave us looking and feeling better.
Before we discuss specific cleanses, here are a few basic guidelines you may want to follow regardless of the cleanse you choose. In fact, these guidelines will help to support you and your body whether you decide to do a cleanse or not.
- Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables. At a minimum, eat at least one piece of fruit and one leafy green salad per day.
- Eliminate processed prefabricated foods from your diet.
- Drink plenty of water and when I say plenty, I am talking about a minimum of 64 oz a day. Remember, water is water. Water is not coffee, tea, sodas or milkshakes. They do not count towards your 64 oz total.
- Get some exercise daily. Take a walk in the park. Play catch with your kids. It doesn't matter what you do. Movement is movement, and movement helps to stimulate bodily processes.
As I always say, doing something is better than doing nothing - even if all you can do is cut out your morning donut. That IS something. This one small change also puts you closer toward your healing and cleansing goals.
There are a large number of cleanses you can do to support your body. Many times herbal supplements are required to facilitate the cleanse and these products are typically available at your local health food store. They can also be found on my website www.soulhealer.com.
As you read this, realize you don't have to do all of the cleanses listed. Pick the one that seems the most appropriate for you. If there is an area of your body you are interested in purifying a bit deeper, select that one. You can always do a different cleanse later on in the summer or even next year!
The Master Cleanse
The Master Cleanse is a full body detox. It is often done to cleanse the body of toxins such as pesticides, hormones, prescription drugs, chemical fertilizers and heavy metals. Many individuals who have done this cleanse say that it helps eliminate the craving associated with drugs, alcohol, tobacco and the eating of "junk foods". Habit forming beverages such as coffee, tea and cola drinks are also said to lose their appeal after this cleanse.
The Master Cleanse is remarkably simple. It involves drinking fresh squeezed lemon juice mixed with maple syrup, water and a dash of Cayenne pepper. While doing this cleanse, no solid foods are eaten. Individuals who do this cleanse typically consume a gallon of this lemon mixture daily. One of the remarkable things about this cleanse is that you do not experience hunger or fatigue while cleansing, thus making it safe to go about your daily routine. Many people do this cleanse for 10 days, however some individuals will stay on it longer. If you have never done this kind of cleanse before, try doing it for three days. Even this short amount of time will provide you with healing benefits.
Liver Cleanse
We live in a toxic world. One of the liver's job is to remove harmful toxins from the blood and convert them into substances that can be eliminated. Over time, our liver can become congested with toxins. This can impact its ability to function properly.
Herbs such as dandelion root and milk thistle are often used to cleanse the liver. If you decide to promote liver health, start off slowly with your supplements and build up over the first few days. A liver cleanse, depending on how intensely you do it, can last from one to three months. Commercially available liver cleansing programs are available to help take the mystery out of doing a liver cleanse.
Gallbladder Cleanse
Associated with the liver is the gallbladder. Its primary function is to store and secrete bile which digests the fats from the foods we eat. In today's society, it is very common for people to develop gallstones, which if left unchecked, can inhibit the movement of bile through the gallbladder.
Symptoms of gallbladder issues includes: abdominal bloating, intolerance to fatty foods, belching, intestinal gas and indigestion. If the congestion is severe enough, you might suffer from what is called a gallstone "attack" A gallstone attack manifest as steady severe pain in the upper abdomen that can last from 30 minutes to several hours.
Herbs that support the gallbladder include: safflower and turmeric. They work to thin bodily fluids and well as aid in the digestion of oils.
If you are experiencing symptoms of gallbladder dysfunction, doing a gallbladder flush is recommended. During a gallbladder flush, 1-2 cups of olive oil are consumed. The olive oil stimulates the gallbladder and causes it to release bile. This increased demand on the gallbladder causes it to push the gallstones out.
Doing a liver cleanse before attempting a gallbladder flush is something I always recommend to my clients. This ensures the liver is working properly. It can also help to break up congested bile in the liver.
Colon Cleansing
The colon is another organ that can use a tune-up every so often. Our western diets don't supply the body with the essential enzymes and fiber it needs to eliminate wastes properly. This can result in a buildup of toxic materials in the colon. Cleansing the colon can help to promote intestinal regularity while supporting the elimination of toxic wastes from the body.
Fiber, such as psyllium hulls are the primary supplement used when doing a colon cleanse. Extra water should always be consumed when ingesting any fiber product. Some people like to include a small amount of bentonite clay into this cleanse to help absorb toxins from the intestinal walls. A mild laxative is often included with this cleanse to ensure proper bowel movement.
Colon cleanses are typically done over a period of two weeks to a month in length. Once completed, supplementation with a high quality probiotic will help to repopulate the colon with the "good" bacteria and support proper elimination. Like the liver cleanse, commercially available programs are available to help take the mystery out of doing a colon cleanse.
Candida Cleanse
When talking about intestinal health, we need to spend a minute talking about Candida.
Candida Albicans is a destructive yeast infection that begins in the digestive tract and little by little can spread to other parts of the body. A yeast infection can manifest as a multitude of symptoms including: constipation, diarrhea, colitis, headaches, bad breath, mood swings, canker sores, muscle and joint pain, congestion, brain fog, severe itching, PMS or fatigue.
Candida lives on sugar, so the first step to successful Candida eradication necessitates the elimination of sugar. This includes starches like those found in bread and pastas. A diet comprised of primarily vegetable and proteins are the most effective in eliminating Candida from the body.
Supplements that work to do away with Candida include: garlic, caprilic acid, pau d' arco, olive leaf extract or wild oregano oil. In addition, supplementation with Lactobacillus Acidophilus or Bifidophilus daily is needed to reintroduce the good bacterial back into the intestinal tract. Commercially available Candida cleansing programs are also available.
Summer is here! Take advantage of the of the heat and do something nice for yourself and your body. You will be happy you did.
If you would like to purchase the herbal supplements required to facilitate the cleanses listed above, can be found on my website www.soulhealer.com.
This information is provided for educational purposes only.
The descriptions of nurtritional supplements are based on the historical usage of the various ingredients. They are not intended to promote any direct or implied health claims, and actual results of usage can vary.
The statements on this Web site have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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