SPRING DETOX

Why detox?

What they forget is that for thousands of years, people have been detoxifying by fasting and doing clay and herbal cures especially at the beginning of Spring. Moreover, even a hundred years ago, there was only a tiny fraction of the chemicals we are exposed to today. So why did people from ancient times need to detox if there was no pollution? Simply because they knew that somehow, in many ways waste and toxins accumulate in the body as time goes by as a normal by-product of natural bodily functions. They considered it necessary to regularly purify themselves through some specific diet, cures and fasting.

Detoxification in Chinese Medicine means the removing of evil toxins (which include heat, cold, parasite, damp, fire and food toxins). Today, you can add to this list: heavy metals, hormone disruptors and other types of toxic chemicals.

If you want a quick metaphor, you can think of 2 cars to symbolize someone from the old times and someone from today. The car from the old times has low mileage and is rarely driven, mostly on highways. Today's car because it's being driven a lot, in a stressful way and only on small roads and in cities and sometimes with low quality gas. The car from today logically needs more care and more often.

• Improper diet. Too much meat products, too much saturated fats, too much processed food, too much sugar.
• Stressful and sedentary lifestyle: not enough exercising, too much TV and computer, too much stress and not enough good sleep.
• Exposure to too many poisons: fertilizers, pesticides, preservatives, alcohol, drugs, medicines

Your own biological detox system.

Your own biological detoxification system is functioning and powerful and you can trust it, but it's overwhelmed and needs help and support. You can provide help by doing simple, yet powerful detox cures below.

Four ways to detoxify your body and your soul.

Fortunately, there is a wealth of solutions at your hand to purify your body. Some have a broad action; others are more specialized in stimulating one of the five detoxifying organs. The powerful detox solutions below have a broad action on the whole body.

1. French Green Clay (Montmorillonite) cure.
   Simple and easy to follow, the Clay cure is a very powerful way to purify your body and efficiently detox for renewed vitality. You can either take it internally with a Clay water cure, or do a Clay poultice cure. Either way, Green Clay performs a thorough cleansing of your tissues not only by absorbing the toxins and toxicity in its direct contact, but also by triggering a current of deeply trapped toxicity from deep tissues to attract and quench them. It is very important for you to commit to the cure course because abruptly stopping it would leave toxins, which were deeply encrusted and hidden in your tissues, floating freely in your body without being efficiently removed. As a rule, when you start a cure, finish it. Eating light and avoiding rich foods and alcohol will enhance even further the benefits of your clay cure.
   • Clay water
     Mix one tsp of French Green Clay in an 8 oz glass of pure water. Stir and let it sit overnight. In the morning drink the water and discard the clay deposit at the bottom of the glass. After one week, you can drink water with the clay. Do it everyday for 2-3 weeks.
   • Clay poultice
     Mix French Green Clay with water to get a thick paste. Prepare a hand towel with cheesecloth on top. Spread 4-5 heaping tbsp on the cheesecloth to get a rectangular clay area of about 5"x3". Press the whole thing on your lower abdomen, below your navel, and fix up with an ace bandage wrapped around your hips. Keep the poultice on for at least 2 hrs. Remove and throw away the clay. Use cold poultice if your body is hot and/or inflamed, and warm poultice if your body is cold or lacks vitality. Just feel what you need; your instinct will guide you to do the right thing.
2. Juicing detox cure.
   It consist of drinking freshly prepared (of course with organic ingredients) fruit or vegetable (or a mix of them) juice. Not only fruits and vegetables are full of precious vitamins, nutrients and minerals but they also stimulate and support your five natural detox systems mentioned above. In some ways, they "open the doors" for the toxicity and waste to be thrown out. If you do a juicing fast, it is even better as you give your body time and energy to rest and purify itself. But remember that if you choose so, you need to do it at a time you won't be stressed or have to perform high-energy activities. For more information and details, read the wonderful book by Steve Meyerowitz Juice Fasting and Detoxification: Use the Healing Power of Fresh Juice to Feel Young and Look Great : The Fastest Way to Restore Your Health.
3. Fasting.
   This is, with clay and herbal cures, one of the oldest way of purifying your body, which means the oldest way of healing. Fasting means that you do not take in any food, either solid or liquid, but you only take water. During the time of the fast, all your energy will be concentrated on purifying your body, so you have to be able to rest and relax. Moreover, unless you're an experienced faster, you need to prepare your body before the fast by eating simpler foods over a period of 3-4 days until you only eat simple soups. After the fast, reintroduce foods over the period of 3-4 days. Some fasting experts believe that regular 1-4-day fasts are as efficient but less stressful as one big fast a year. Once again, trust your gut feeling about the length of your fast. Here again, you can refer to the very helpful book by Steve Meyerowitz. Juice Fasting and Detoxification.
4. The Master Cleanser or Lemon cure. This cure consists of only taking lemon juice mixed with water and pure maple syrup. You can find the details in the book The Master Cleanser by Stanley Burroughs. Lemon is indeed a very powerful cleanser and can yield amazing results as far as healing and weight loss. However, please be aware that it's not for everyone as some people cannot handle acidity well and the lemon cure will demineralize them and make them sicker. Once again, if you know your body, trust your instinct. If this cure if for you, you will be drawn to it and you will enjoy the taste of acidity.

What are the benefits of detoxifying?

Don't overdo yourself

Warning: anyone considering a detox diet should consult a qualified health professional and/or their medical doctor first. Pregnant or nursing women or children shouldn't go on a detox diet. People with anemia, eating disorder, diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid disease, autoimmune disease, cancer, terminal illness, certain genetic diseases, and other chronic conditions shouldn't try this diet or should do so only under the supervision of their primary care provider. It is not intended for alcohol or drug detoxification.

Spring is here. Enjoy its wonderful energy.

Take good care.