34

Are you frequently fatigued, tense, or irritable? Is your digestion sluggish? Are you plagued by excess weight or cellulite? Do you suffer from joint pain, PMS, high cholesterol, allergies, or a diminished libido? What all of these problems, and the vast majority of degenerative diseases have in common, is the breakdown of your body's ability to maintain health.

    One of the basic tenets of holistic medicine is the body's ability to self-regulate to maintain health. Your body is constantly striving to maintain homeostasis, or balance in the midst of constantly changing conditions. While you are busy going about your daily activities–working, running errands, managing a household, and meeting all of the other myriad demands on your time–your body is also busy internally with a variety of tasks that go on mostly beneath the level of your conscious awareness. Your digestive system is breaking down and assimilating nutrients and eliminating wastes. Your circulatory and respiratory systems are distributing nutrients and oxygen throughout your body. Your lymphatic system is cleansing your cells, your kidneys are purifying your bloodstream, and your skin is eliminating toxins through perspiration. Your immune system is constantly on patrol, fighting off invaders and scanning your body for unhealthy cells to destroy.

    Strong immune and eliminative functions are essential for the process of detoxification. The body handles toxins in two ways: By eliminating the offending substance, or by transforming the toxin into a less harmful substance. The major pathways of detoxification are the gastrointestinal system (including the liver and colon), the respiratory system, the urinary system, the skin, and the lymphatic system. A good cleansing program supports organ function and elimination of toxins. Helping your body cleanse in gentle, natural ways prevents the build-up of toxicity in your cells and organs and can dramatically improve your health.

    Some people decide to take a detoxification approach because of serious illness. In many cases, it can help dramatically. Degenerative diseases are often the result of years of chronic low-level toxicity on cellular level. By purifying your body, you are clearing the way for healing to occur. Our bodies are capable of miraculous changes, and are constantly striving to create a state of balance and optimal well-being.

    Remember, if you are suffering from a serious health problem, consult your doctor before undergoing a cleansing program. While detoxification can be an important aspect of helping to restore your body health, a serious health breakdown requires a comprehensive healing program that addresses your individual needs. The simplest remedy for the symptoms and diseases of excess is cleansing. Natural health practitioners believe that when the body is overloaded with toxins, disease occurs. The disease may be as commonplace as a cold or an allergy, or it can be as serious and life-threatening as clogged arteries that lead to a heart attack or damaged cells which give rise to cancer.

Herbs for Cleansing and Rejuvenation

Herbs have been used for centuries for purification and rejuvenation, and the plants which stimulate and support the body's natural cleansing processes are highly valued in all traditional forms of natural medicine. Purifying herbs improve the circulation of blood and lymph, stimulate the elimination of toxins, and enhance the functioning of the liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymphatic system, and skin. Helping the body to detoxify allows deep healing and rejuvenation to take place.

    All of the herbs recommended here have a long history of safe use. Nonetheless, many do have powerful cleansing actions and should be used wisely. Always pay attention to how your body responds to the herbs you are using, and if you notice any unusual reactions or have any questions or concerns, stop using the herbs and consult your health care practitioner for advice. If you are pregnant or nursing, or if you have a serious health condition, use detoxifying herbs only under the guidance of your health care practitioner.

Seven Powerful Ways Herbs Promote Cleansing

Herbs work in a variety of ways to stimulate cleansing. Understanding the ways that these healing plants help to purify your body will demystify the process of detoxification and will enable you to design a balanced cleansing program. When undertaking a detoxification program, it is essential to support all of your body's pathways of cleansing. This prevents any one organ system from being overburdened with toxins, and facilitates a deep level of purification. 

Hepatic Herbs

Hepatics are herbs that work specifically on the liver. Because the liver is so critical to the process of detoxification, supporting the liver during a cleansing program is essential. Include hepatic herbs as a central part of any detoxification plan. Hepatic herbs are primarily herbs with a bitter flavor, such as dandelion root, gentian root, Oregon grape root, and yellow dock root. The bitter quality of these herbs stimulates bile flow, which naturally cleanses the liver. Make a pot of liver-cleansing tea to drink daily during a detoxification program, or take a tincture of liver-cleansing herbs 3 to 4 times daily. If you suffer from poor digestive function, bitter herbs can be taken on a regular basis in the form of a digestive bitters tonic to encourage the secretion of digestive enzymes.

Hepatic herbs: Dandelion root, burdock, yellow dock, oregon grape, licorice, barberry, sarsaparilla, gentian, turmeric, milk thistle, etc. 

Diuretic Herbs

Diuretic herbs work specifically on the kidneys and urinary tract to stimulate increased urination. They help the body to eliminate excess water and at the same time cleanse the urinary tract. Examples of diuretic herbs include dandelion leaf, which probably grows in your backyard, and the common kitchen herb, parsley. Dandelion has been found to be as effective as commonly prescribed pharmaceutical diuretics, but without the harmful side effects. Synthetic diuretics deplete the body of potassium and can cause serious problems such as muscle weakness and cardiac arrythmias. In the infinite wisdom of nature, both dandelion leaf and parsley are rich in potassium, which makes them safe diuretics.

    Drinking a couple of cups of gentle diuretic tea daily during a cleansing program is helpful for flushing the kidneys and urinary tract. Women who suffer from premenstrual water retention often obtain significant relief by drinking 3 to 4 cups of a cleansing diuretic tea in the week to 10 days preceding menstruation. However, even when using herbal diuretics, be sure to eat foods that are naturally rich sources of potassium, such as leafy green vegetables, potatoes, citrus fruits, and apples.

    Juniper berries and uva ursi have strong antimicrobial action in addition to their diuretic properties, which makes them an excellent choice for treating urinary tract infections. Drinking 2 quarts of juniper berry and uva ursi tea throughout the day at the first sign of a bladder infection (increased frequency of urination or a burning or stinging sensation while urinating) cleanses the bladder and will usually abort the infection. Juniper berries contain potent stimulating essential oils that can be irritating to the kidneys, and should not be used during pregnancy or if there is a history of kidney disease.

Diuretic herbs: Marshmallow root, nettle, cleavers, corn silk, burdock, dandelion leaf, parsley, yarrow, uva ursi, juniper berries.

Laxative Herbs

Laxative herbs are those which help to facilitate bowel movements. The most gentle are the fiber laxatives such as psyllium husks and flax seeds, which promote intestinal function by creating large, soft stools. Others, such as yellow dock and dandelion root, encourage the flow of bile, which has a natural laxative effect. Stronger laxative herbs (also called purgatives), such as cascara sagrada and senna, work directly on the colon by stimulating peristalsis, the contractions which move waste products through the large intestine. Herbs with purgative action should be combined with aromatic herbs such as ginger or fennel seeds to relieve possible intestinal cramping.

    Vukovic recommends taking a fiber laxative daily during a cleansing program as an "intestinal broom" to help move toxins more rapidly through the intestinal tract and out of the body. Fiber laxatives are safe and can be taken on a regular basis if you suffer from sluggish intestinal function. Take 1 to 2 teaspoons of powdered psyllium husks or 1 to 2 tablespoons of soaked or ground flax seeds daily. Be sure to drink plenty of water when taking fiber laxatives. Psyllium and flax both absorb water, which causes them to swell and creates bulk in the intestinal tract. Not drinking enough water can create constipation instead of curing it.

    Gentle laxatives such as yellow dock, dandelion root, and licorice root can also be taken daily during a cleansing program to further encourage colon cleansing. In addition to their laxative properties, these herbs are hepatics, and you should include one or more in a cleansing tea formula to improve both liver and intestinal function. If a stronger laxative is needed, Vukovic recommends cascara sagrada as a safe and effective choice. Take l dropperful of cascara sagrada tincture or l cup of cascara sagrada tea before bed, and repeat the dosage in the morning if necessary. While senna is included in many commercial laxatives and detoxification products, it has a much stronger action and can cause diarrhea and cramping. Senna should be used only if all else fails to relieve constipation. To prevent "lazy bowel" syndrome and laxative dependency, avoid using any stimulant laxatives on a regular basis.

Laxative herbs: Psyllium, flax seeds, licorice, burdock, dandelion root, yellow dock, cascara sagrada, buckthorn senna.

Diaphoretic Herbs

Diaphoretic herbs are those which stimulate perspiration by promoting increased circulation and dilating the capillaries at the surface of the skin. Approximately 25 percent of all toxins in the body are eliminated through the skin. By increasing perspiration, diaphoretics assist the skin in its role of purification.

    During a cleansing program, Vukovic recommends drinking a cup or two of a diaphoretic tea before soaking in a detoxifying bath to intensify the effects of the bath. For best results, drink diaphoretic teas hot, to further stimulate sweating. All of the diaphoretic herbs suggested can also be made into strong teas and added to a hot bath to increase the elimination of toxins through the skin. To prepare an herbal tea for a bath, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil and add 1/2 cup of dried herb. Cover, and let steep until cool. Strain out the herb and add the liquid to a hot bath.

 Diaphoretics are especially useful for treating colds and flus. Through encouraging perspiration, they support the body's efforts to eliminate the virus. The onset of a cold or flu is often stopped by soaking in a hot ginger or thyme bath and drinking hot ginger tea at the first sign of a sniffle or sore throat. If a cold or flu does take hold, a hot herbal bath and several cups of hot diaphoretic tea throughout the day is one of the best remedies for relieving chills and aches. If a cold or flu is accompanied by a fever, a combination of yarrow, peppermint, and elder flower tea works wonders to help naturally lower the fever through increasing perspiration. A tepid bath or sponge bath of the same tea is also helpful for relieving a fever.

Peppermint

Diaphoretic herbs: yarrow, ginger, peppermint, thyme, elder flowers.

Lymphatic Herbs

Lymphatic herbs stimulate cleansing of the network of lymph vessels and glands throughout the body. The lymphatic vessels transport lymph, a colorless fluid that bathes and purifies all of the cells, tissues, and organs. Because the lymphatic system has no pump, it relies on external forces such as exercise or massage to move the lymph. Lymphatic herbs, such as cleavers, red clover, and prickly ash promote lymphatic flow and drainage. They can be taken as a tea or tincture to support lymph cleansing during a detoxification program.

When lymph flow stagnates, the body is more susceptible to infections. The lymph glands, located primarily in the neck, armpits, and groin and including the tonsils and spleen, are an essential component of the immune system. These trap foreign substances such as bacteria and produce infection-fighting white blood cells. Swollen and painful lymph glands indicate that your lymphatic system is fighting an infection. You can bolster your body's efforts with antimicrobial herbs such as echinacea and goldenseal. These safe and powerful herbs help to cleanse the lymphatic system and support the action of the lymph glands against harmful microorganisms. Because of the increased amount of toxins released during a detoxification program, Vukovic suggests taking echinacea tincture, 1 dropperful 3 times daily, for up to 2 weeks during a cleanse.

Lymphatic herbs: Cleavers, red clover, prickly ash, goldenseal, echinacea.

Expectorant Herbs

Expectorant herbs facilitate the removal of excessive mucus from the lungs and help to relieve congestion. While a thin coating of mucus is necessary to keep the mucous membranes healthy, too much mucus causes stagnation and creates a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses as well as interferes with healthy lung function.

    Expectorants act on the entire respiratory system and are especially useful for supporting the body in overcoming colds, flus, and other respiratory illnesses. Some expectorant herbs, such as mullein and marshmallow, are mucilagenous—they have a slippery, soothing quality that helps to heal irritated bronchial tissues caused by allergies, air pollution, smoking, or bronchitis. These gentle herbs can be taken over a long period of time as tonics for the lungs. Other expectorants, such as thyme and eucalyptus, have potent antimicrobial action and help to cleanse the lungs of harmful microorganisms. They are especially useful for treating colds, flus, and other infections. Thyme and eucalyptus are also excellent to use in steam inhalations for relieving lung congestion. The potent volatile oils are released in the steam and when inhaled into the lungs, loosen excess mucus and provide direct antimicrobial action. To make a steam inhalation, bring 1 1/2 quarts of water to a boil, turn off the heat, and add 4 to 6 tablespoons of dried herb. Cover, and let steep for 10 minutes. Remove the lid, make a towel tent over the pot and your head, and inhale the steam for 10 minutes. Be careful not to scald yourself; lift the towel as necessary to regulate the steam.

Expectorant herbs: Licorice, mullein, marshmallow, fenugreek, fennel, thyme, eucalyptus, peppermint.

Antimicrobial Herbs

Antimicrobial herbs are those which have direct action against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms. They are especially usefu l for supporting cleansing during an infection such as a cold or flu or for overcoming a chronic condition such as Candida albicans overgrowth. Including antimicrobial herbs as part of a detoxification program is helpful for purifying the blood and lymphatic system, as well as assisting the body to eliminate unfriendly microorganisms that may be residing elsewhere in the body.

 Eating 1 or 2 cloves of garlic daily is beneficial during a cleansing program. To obtain the antimicrobial properties, garlic must be eaten raw and either crushed or chopped. Try adding it to salad dressings, pasta, or soups just before serving. Vukovic suggests taking 1 dropperful of echinacea tincture 3 times a day during a detoxification program. If your immunity is low and you tend to get every cold and flu that goes around, you might find it helpful to take echinacea for a couple of months to strengthen your immunity. When using echinacea for more than 2 weeks, take 1 week off for every 2 weeks that you take the herb. Echinacea is completely safe, but may work most effectively if it is not used continuously.

Antimicrobial herbs: Echinacea, goldenseal, garlic, thyme, eucalyptus, yarrow.

Source: 14-Day Herbal Cleansing by Laurel Vukovic (Prentice Hall).

Resources

Alternative Health Practitioners

Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 201

Raleigh, NC 27607

(919) 787-5181

American Association of Naturopathic Physicians

2366 Eastlake Avenue, Suite 322

Seattle, WA 98102

(206) 323-7610

American Holistic Medical Association

4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 201

Raleigh, NC 27607

(919) 787-5181

Ayurvedic Institute

11311 Menaul N.E., Suite A

Albuquerque, NM 87112

(505) 291-9698 

Aromatherapy

National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy

219 Carl Street

San Francisco, CA 94117

Reference Books:

The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils

by Julia Lawless (Element, 1992)

Nontoxic, Natural, and Earthwise,

by Debra Lynn Dadd (Tarcher, 1990)

Aromatherapy: A complete guide to the Healing Art

by Kathi Keville and Mindy Green (The Crossing Press, 1995)

Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants

by Steve Brill, (Hearst Books, 1994)

The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal

by David Hoffman (Element, 1996)

Herbs for Health and Healing

by Kathi Keville (Rodales Press, 1996)

Herbal Healing for Women

by Rosemary Gladstar (Fireside, 1993) 

The Herbs of Live

by Lesley Tierra (The Crossing Press, 1992)

The Book of Massage

by Lucinda Lidell (Fireside, 1984)

The Book of Shiatsu

by Paul Lundberg (Fireside, 1994)

Massage for Health

(Healing Arts Home Video)

The Herbal Body Book

by Stephanie Tourles (Storey Publishing, 1994)

The Essential Oils Book

by Colleen Dodt (Storey Publishing, 1996)

Natural Health Magazine

17 Station Street

Brookline, MA 02146

The Complete Home Healer

by Angela Smyth (Harper San Francisco, 1994)

Dr. Whitaker's Guide to Natural Healing

by Julian Whitaker, M.D. (Prima, 1995)

Natural Alternatives to Over-the-Counter and Prescription Drugs