FALL DETOX FOR MAXIMUM IMMUNITY

Fall: the Season of Metal

• Wood: liver and gallbladder : spring : anger
• Fire: heart, small intestine, pericardium and triple warmer : summer : joy
• Earth: stomach, spleen and pancreas : inter-season summer-fall : worry
• Metal: lungs, large intestine and skin : fall : grief
• Water: kidneys, bladder and hair : winter : fear

The Metal energy is also about protection and drives the immune system. So Metal energy is the connection between detoxification (letting go of the waste and old), maximum immunity and the Fall season of flu and cold.

Clean your body to support your immune system

This is where the power of detoxification comes into play: to provide the help and support to eliminate what your body needs to eliminate but cannot by itself. Detoxification will move the old toxic burden out and purify your body, providing maximum support and strength for your immune system to shield you totally from viruses, bacteria and fungi. The best protection against diseases comes from within, not from vaccines!

The Fall Detox Program

• Clay detox: Green Clay is a very powerful detoxification remedy that can and should be used any time of the year. Clay is like a magnet for toxins, toxic waste, bad bacteria and viruses. In the Five Elements Theory, Earth is the center and is nurturing, nourishing, caring and healing. Clay is Earth and carries these qualities within. It will take the toxic burden from your body and stimulate your deep vitality. You can find out all the other amazing qualities and properties of Clay in our Clay article. Do not forget to drink extra water when you take Clay internally to help flush the toxins out.
• Recipe:
  Clay water: stir 1 tsp of Clay (white and/or green) in 8 fl.oz of water or herbal tea or juice. Let it sit overnight and drink the water, but not the clay deposit in the morning. Repeat for a week. From the second week onward, you can drink everything including the Clay as your body is used to it. You can go on for at least 3 weeks, then stop and resume a week later. If the slightly earthy taste is too inconvenient for you, just add 1-2 tsp of maple syrup: it makes the Clay water delicious!

  WARNING: never interrupt a Clay detox abruptly. If you start a Clay cure, do it for a few weeks at least before stopping.

  NOTE: If you're too busy and need a simple and efficient solution for detox, then go for the Clay detox only. The herbal support and acupressure points below are bonuses and will enhance the strong detox action of Clay.

• Herbal support: selecting specific herbs will help to boost your Fall Detox and add delicious aromas and flavors to your daily routine. You can even mix them up with your Clay water.
  • Ginger root. Ginger is a powerful purifier and cleanser. It is also supportive and stimulating for the respiratory and digestive system. You can either buy a tincture or make your own fresh Ginger root tea.

    Recipe: Peel a root the size of 2-3 thumbs. Slice and throw in 1 quart of boiling water. Boil for 5 min and lt it steep for 5 more min. Filter and enjoy with honey or maple syrup.

  • Echinacea is a powerful immuno-stimulant, but also an amazing blood-cleansing herb. It actively supports and cleans the blood, which in turns prevents skin diseases and disorders. You can take it if you feel you're getting and cold or flu, or you can take it during your Fall detox time.
  • Beet juice. Beet root juice is slightly laxative and an excellent liver cleanser. It is also an excellent vitality booster. Find out the recipe for a great detox juicing.
  • Dandelion is traditionally used as a tonic and blood purifier, for constipation, inflammatory skin conditions, joint pain, eczema and liver dysfunction, including liver. Use liquid herbal tincture/extract.
  • Milk Thistle is a potent liver protector, helping the liver to regenerate while doing its daily job of detoxifying your blood and body. Use liquid herbal tincture/extract.
  • Psyllium seeds. In his book Dr Jensen's guide to a better bowel care, Dr Bernard Jensen writes: "When mixed with water or juice, they (psyllium seeds) form a mucilaginous bulk that holds moisture and attach itself to the mucous lining of the colon, making it soft and loose so that it will move away from the bowel wall. Being a moisture-laden bulk, it helps the bowel to achieve better eliminating action. A good intestinal cleanser is very important to the success of the tissue-cleansing program".
  • Apple juice (organic, unfiltered, unprocessed!) is very good for your health as is contains a lot of pectin, which is a moisture-holding substance. It is also a very good source of potassium and other electrolytes.
  • Fenugreek herb is good for a lot of different problems, but it has its place in your fall detox plan as it supports and protects the respiratory system and skin health. Use it as an herbal tea or herbal extract.
• Acupressure points for detox. You can easily stimulate the function and vitality of a given organ (here the large intestine and the lungs) and support your body to flush out toxins by simply pressing some specific points on your body that correspond to acupuncture meridian points:
  • Large Intestine 4: Great Eliminator. Located on the top of the hand in the webbing between the thumb and index finger. Its name says it all!
  • Liver 3: Great Rushing. Great Rushing can be imagined as a great physical, emotional and spiritual roto-rooter, breaking up blockages and allowing energy and blood to flow freely and detoxify. Located on the upper side of the foot in the depression in the webbing between the big toe and the second toe.
  • Lung 1: Central Palace. A central place where nourishing and invigorating energies are born. Slide your finger along your collarbone to the outer end, just above the armpit. Central Palace is the natural depression just under the collarbone and just above the armpit.
  • Lung 9: Great Abyss. A direct line to the Lungs, where it activates and energizes the Lung energy. Located on the crease of the palm side of the wrist in the depression at the base of the thumb.
  Choose among all these herbs, fruits and acupressure points which ones feel right for you and combine with your Clay detox. If you're too busy, then only use Clay and eat apples. If you decide that you deserve time, then nurture yourself with all these precious gifts from Nature.

  Please remember that Fall detox is also an emotional detox. So please take time to review all the anger, frustration, fear and grief issues you have. Make a package and let all of them go as they are as toxic for you as heavy metals, pesticides and other toxic chemicals. For that, I've found that the book The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace from Jack Kornfield is very helpful and provides support to do this emotional detox we all need to do once in a while.