SPRING CLEANING ISN'T JUST FOR
THE HOUSE
Most cultures around the world have some
sort of fasting ritual or drink that is associated with the springtime and
cleansing away of wastes accumulated during the winter months. Additionally,
most religious traditions specify one day [most often Sunday] of fasting in
order to give the body a rest and promote detoxification. Many of the herbal
preparations used by naturopathic physicians are high in lymph clearing and
liver stimulating compounds needed by the body to detoxify. In recent times,
cleansing is often associated with drinking large amounts of water, taking some
extra herbs or vitamins and staying away from junk foods.
The human body is constantly clearing itself of unneeded waste materials and follows
a 24 hour diurnal cycle of nutrient use and waste removal. Under normal
conditions, the body is able to clear itself of toxic wastes without difficulty
through the organs of elimination such as the colon, kidneys, liver, mucus
membranes, lymph tissues, lungs and skin. Most waste elimination occurs during
sleep, which means that when you awake in the morning, internally you are fresh
and clean! A feeling of being "toxic" occurs when the buildup of waste products
becomes greater than the organs of elimination can handle. The person may feel
fatigue, have a stuffy or runny nose, plugged sinuses, joint aches, itching eyes
or skin, perhaps a slight fever and a little loss of appetite or even nausea.
Other signs may be a skin rash, constipation or sleeplessness. The person may
feel as if they are coming down with a flu or cold as the body has become
overwhelmed and is now susceptible to illness.
These symptoms are
most often associated with holidays, periods of increased stress, dietary
excesses, travel and lifestyle changes from your normal routine, working too
hard or lack of a good diet and exercise routine. In other words, just about
anytime.
A detoxification program
is best individualized as each person is unique and requires a different
approach. A detoxification program should be gentle and adjustable as everyone
detoxifies at a different rate. Dietary changes, botanical medicines, fasting,
sauna’s, constitutional hydrotherapy, massage, and high levels of antioxidants
can be combined to help your body eliminate accumulated waste products. |
