The foundation of any sound healing program must include eating a life supporting, whole foods diet. These are foods that are eaten in their natural form and can include:
- Eating unlimited amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Juicing fresh vegetables –read more about juicing.
- Making from fresh or frozen fruits combined with leafy greens and nutritional powders can add much needed nutrients in an easy-to-digest fashion- read more about smoothies
- Using stable fats such as coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, and avocado oil. Read more about healthy fats with this link
- Complex carbs can include sweet potatoes and yams with the skins, adzuki beans, and lentils (red, green, yellow, black and brown).
- Grains can include amaranth, black rice, wild rice, millet, and triticale. How to soak and cook grains.
- Eating limited amounts of animal proteins. Acceptable proteins can include wild-caught salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, anchovies, and pasture-raised eggs a couple of times per week as needed to maintain weight.
- You can read more about diet with this post.
Ways to open the detoxification pathways of the body
The lymph nodes hold onto toxins. These wastes are very acidic and the body needs to neutralize the acids before they can be cleared from the body. Eating an alkaline-based diet, juicing, herbs, and detoxing protocols can assist with neutralizing this acidic waste.
One should also ensure that the detoxing pathways of the body are clear and functioning optimally. These pathways include the colon (by having at least 1-2 bowel movements per day), the kidneys and bladder (by drinking 1/2 of your body weight in ounces of pure water per day to flush out toxins), the skin (through sweating and skin brushing), the lungs (by deep breathing), and with emotional cleansing techniques such as forgiving others, meditation and EFT (emotional freedom technique).
Some detoxing therapies include:
- 24 hour juice fasting- juices made with carrots, beets, celery, apples, cucumbers, leafy greens, parsley and lemon will help to cleanse the digestive system and support the liver. Digestion takes a lot of energy, having juice fasts can help reallocate that energy and use it to repair, rebuild, and replenish the body instead. Perhaps 1 day per week or one day per month can be set aside for juice fasting.
- Overnight fasting (twelve hour fasting) in which you don’t eat anything from 6:00pm to 6:00am – also allows the body to go into repair mode on a regular basis. Continue to drink lots of fluids during this fast to help flush out the system.
- Psyllium husks – can assist the liver by absorbing old toxic bile and eliminating it from the body. Bile is not excreted from the body as you might expect, it is repeatedly recaptured and recirculated to be used continuously for digestion. Because of this, it becomes more concentrated with toxins that can lead to all sorts of inflammatory diseases such as gallbladder disease, intestinal inflammation, etc.
- Detox with water and lemon- drinking warm water with fresh squeezed lemon juice first thing in the morning helps to support your digestive system, stimulates the liver, and is hydrating to the body. All of these are factors for effective detoxing.
- Stay hydrated– your body needs a minimum of 50 ounces of water per 100 pounds of body weight per day in order to flush toxins out of the body and to stay well hydrated. This water should have minerals– such as found in spring water, or water that has been filtered and then has the minerals added back into it. More info on this below.
- Sweating– through exercise, or with the use of an Infrared Sauna System which can help the body to rid itself of accumulated toxins. Intense sweating can help to rid the body of about one-third of the toxic material that your kidneys would normally have to filter from your bloodstream. Multiple studies have shown that saunas are effective in removing solvents, organic chemicals, PCBs, pharmaceuticals, and heavy metal toxins from the body. The high temperatures of saunas can also give your immune system a boost by increasing the number of white blood cells that fight infections by as much as 58%. Your T cells (which are the cancer killer cells) and antibodies can increase by as much as 2,000% with a sauna. Additionally, many microbes cannot survive in a heated environment so many will die off with exposure to the heat. Experts recommend the first session only be about five minutes, and then gradually increase each session until you reach 15-30 minutes and then continue to do them regularly.
- Biomat therapy- provides a combination of deep heat, negative ion technology, infrared light, and pulsed magnetism (PEMF) to promote detoxification and relaxation. You can find Biomats online
- Rebounding~ jumping on a rebounder /mini-trampoline benefits your lymphatic circulation by stimulating the millions of one-way valves that keeps the lymphatic system flowing. This is the waste removal system of the body and it only works when there is movement of the body. This also is a great exercise for the body and helps to oxygenate the blood. Read more about the lymphatic system.
- Deep breathing– most people are shallow breathers. Here is an exercise to help you become more conscious of your breath. This will also assist your body in becoming better oxygenated, relieve stress, as well as to release toxins. Take a full breath, in through the nose and then expand the chest fully. When you think your lungs are full, then try sucking in just a little more air. Hold this for a few seconds and then breathe out through pursed lips to expel the air out slowly. Repeat this exercise for 5 minutes at a time, and do this multiple times per day or when you need a boost of energy.
- Lymphatic massage– is useful to increase lymph flow and can be beneficial in removing harmful substances that have become stagnated within the tissues. Combine castor oil with Rocky Mountain Immune Strength Essential Oil for this massage
- Oil pulling – do this in the morning to remove toxins. Read more about this.
- Skin brushing- your skin is the bodies largest organ and one of the most active. It is responsible for removing about 25% of the bodies toxins that are transported out along with dead skin cells. Use a Dry Skin Brush to help this process along by removing the dead skin cells while stimulating new cell growth. Go over the entire body in the same fashion as demonstrated in the video that is posted below.
- Filter your shower– Shower Filters can reduce your exposure to chlorine compounds and other contaminants via skin contact or through inhalation
- Don’t use a anti-antiperspirant but a natural deodorant instead as this allows the body to still release toxins– an easy version to make at home is to mix unrefined coconut oil and baking soda to form a thick paste, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Store this in a cosmetic tin and apply with your fingers or refill an empty deodorant container. This works great and it allows the body to perspire without odor. Another natural deodorant idea is to use apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle and allow this to dry. ACV kills the bacteria which is what causes body odor.
- Sleeping on your left side encourages the lymphatic system to drain more efficiently. This is because the left side of the body is the dominant lymphatic side and gravity can facilitate lymphatic drainage and make this system more efficient at filtering toxins while you are sleeping. Left side sleeping also benefits the digestive system as food waste can continue to move from the stomach into the small intestine and stomach acid will not travel back up into the esophagus and create heart burn.
- Drinking hydrogen water – Hydrogen is one of the most powerful antioxidants available. Some studies have shown that hydrogen may decrease the effects of oxidative stress, reduces inflammation and can possibly boost athletic performance by lowering levels of blood lactate. The hydrogen molecule is so small that it can penetrate the blood brain barrier. You can find hydrogen water machines online – Hydrogen Water Machine
Using herbs and supplements to detoxify the liver and kidneys
- Milk Thistle- is an herb that is known for its healing properties for the liver and consists of a group of flavonoid compounds called Silymarin, which is important in devouring free radicals that can harm healthy cells and prematurely age the body. Supplementing with Milk Thistle may help those suffering from hepatitis, cancer of the liver, cirrhosis, liver inflammation, fatty liver, liver damage, chemical exposure, and Parkinson’s disease. Milk Thistle is also known for increasing the production of glutathione and bile flow, which helps to detoxify, repair and regenerate the liver.
- Curcumin is the active ingredient found in turmeric that demonstrates remarkable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties as well as a host of other health benefits. The Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine reports that curcumin increases the liver’s bile production which assists in the metabolism of fats during digestion and enhances the liver’s detoxification process. Curamed Superior Absorption Curcumin
- Read more about curcumin/turmeric for cancer
- Alpha Lipoic Acid is an antioxidant shown to decrease the amount of hepatic fibrosis associated with liver injury and cirrhosis of the liver. Because alpha-lipoic acid is fat soluble, it can penetrate the cell membrane to exert therapeutic action. There is also potential for ALA in treating chronic diseases, including various types of cancers.
- The kidneys play a significant role in the flow of lymphatic fluid. Herbs can be used to cleanse this system and get it flowing again I use/prefer Dr. Christopher’s Kidney Formula Capsules
Protocols to detox the colon and liver
- Coffee enemas- can be used to detoxify the colon and liver. Link to coffee enemas.
- Castor oil packs – read more here
- Cleansing and flushing the colon, liver, kidneys, and gallbladder- read more here.
To detoxify heavy metals:
- Those suffering from heavy metal toxicity may want to consider having your amalgam fillings removed. You can find out more and find a qualified biological dentist with this link.
- Modified citrus pectin- can be a useful tool in the excretion of heavy metals from the body. In a recent study, people were given the brand Pecta Sol C Modified Citrus Pectin for six days and then had their urine tested for heavy metals. Those taking Pectasol excreted much higher levels of metals, for instance, arsenic excretion went up 130%, cadmium excretion was up 150%, and lead excretion was up 560%. Read more about MCP and this study.
- Chelation Suppositories- can be helpful for removing lead, mercury, aluminum and other metals from the body. This comes in suppository form which allows it to remain in the body for a longer period of time, giving it more time to work. Link to more information.
- Cilantro- is an herb that can detox heavy metals and other toxins that have accumulated in the body. Fresh cilantro can be added to your green smoothies or can be used in general cooking purposes.
- Chlorella– is another detoxifying agent for mobilizing heavy metals. The nutrients of chlorella are protected by a thick wall that is hard to digest so look for broken cell chlorella or as a liquid supplement.
- Chlorophyll- contains a powerful blood purifier that’s said to increase red blood cells and counteract harmful free radicals. It is also one of the best substances for cleansing the bowel & other elimination systems including the liver and the blood. Chlorophyll has the ability to bind to heavy metal toxins and carry them out of the system.
- Magnesium glycinate taken a few days before and after any radiological scans can help your body to detoxify from the procedures.
Baths to detoxify the body
- ACV/Clay bath– mix 1 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup bentonite clay to form a paste and then add to warm bath and soak for 30 minutes. An ACV/clay bath is said to pull toxins from the body. This bath is very beneficial to those with immune system cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma.
- Epson/ Salt bath– have a long soak in an Epson salt/baking soda bath which can help to mobilize toxins out through the skin. Add one cup of Epson salts and 2 cups baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to a warm bath and soak for 30 minutes. Rinse with water when finished. This particular bath would be especially beneficial for those with solid tumors who are eating a mostly vegetarian diet in order to remove toxins and acids from the body.
A dry brushing demonstration
Judy Seeger, ND, some quick and easy detox ideas for at home.
Water Filtration
Water- your body needs a minimum of 50 ounces of water per 100 pounds of body weight per day in order to flush toxins out of the body and to stay well hydrated. This water should have minerals– such as found in spring water.
Buy a filter or be the filter-Consider purchasing a water filtration system that will remove fluoride, chlorine, and other chemicals and metals that are found in municipal water supplies. A simple carbon filtration system will only remove chlorine so don’t assume that any filter will do. You can find products online that will remove the harmful elements and leave the beneficial minerals intact, such as a Big Berkey Water Filtration System.
Recipes to make your water more alkaline:
- Recipe #1 – mix one gallon of water with 1/2 tsp pink Himalayan sea salt, the juice of 4 organic lemons or limes (and toss in the skins too), 1 tbsp of raw, organic honey, and a pinch of organic stevia (if needed) and drink this throughout the day. Sea salt contains 82 trace minerals which will enhance this water. Lemons and limes will create an alkaline ash following digestion.
- Recipe #2- wash 3 organic lemons or limes and quarter them. Blend them up with the skins in 3 cups of filtered water. Strain/squeeze the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth and then store it in a mason jar in the fridge. To use, add 1/4 cup of this mixture into a glass of 8 oz filtered water. Drink this mixture 3 times per day.
- Recipe #3- adding barley grass or wheat grass powder to your drinking water
- Recipe #4 – adding a tsp of baking soda to 8 oz of filtered water and drinking this a couple of times per day. This must be taken away from mealtimes as it will impede digestion of food.
Additional Resources
Read more about detoxing the liver
Read more about the lymphatic system with this post.
Read more about making nutritious smoothies
Read more about acid/alkaline balance
Read more about emotional healing and relaxation techniques
Jumpsport Mini-Trampoline/Rebounder
Dr. Christopher’s Original Formulas Liver and Gall Bladder Formula Capsules, 100 Count