Herb News - Planet Botanic Canada

The buildup of toxins in our bodies over the course of years often results in degenerative diseases. Just as emotional traumas that have been buried for years tend to surface in midlife, asking that we examine and change our learned behavior, so too do physical symptoms surface to reveal the need for change in how we care for our bodies. In either case, if we ignore the signals that something is amiss, that something requires our attention, we do so at our own peril. Denying pain inevitably leads to more profound pain. Unexamined fears eventually assume monstrous proportions. Clinging to habits that do not support growth and life bind us instead to stagnation and death.

Clearing accumulated toxins is believed to free the body from undue burden so that it is able to function better and regain the energy necessary to heal itself. Though fasting and cleansing may be one step, detoxification is not a single event but an ongoing process that supports the body's natural ability to effectively dispel toxins on a daily basis. Part of that process is consciously limiting the toxins that enter the body in the first place. Restricting or eliminating use of the usual culprits -- caffeine, refined sugar, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, synthetic or petroleum-based body products, and household chemicals -- is a good place to start. (Fasting, if chosen, will be less of an effort if symptoms of withdrawal from caffeine, sugar or cigarettes are not part of the experience.) Eating an organic natural-foods diet, drinking sufficient amounts of pure water, and getting regular exercise are actions that begin to facilitate detoxification. Our bodies adjust best to gradual change, so incorporating these practices into everyday life is recommended before embarking on a more stringent course for flushing toxins out of your system.

The theory behind fasting suggests that it is normal within the course of life for all animals to experience periods when food is scarce, and that we, as animals, are designed not only to endure such circumstances but to benefit from them. It is also known that animals, when ill, will refuse food. When the organs of the body are not engaged in the energy-intensive process of digestion, they are able to direct their energy toward healing. For humans, supplemental cleansing practices include laxatives, colonics, saunas, steaming, skin brushing, exercise, massage, mineral baths, and body wraps. Herbs can help to move toxins out of the body. They can also support and tone the major organs of the body as they perform their cleansing functions, helping them to handle a higher than normal load of waste.

Psyllium husks and seeds (Plantago indica, P. ovata and P. psyllium) are high in fiber and can act as a gentle natural laxative. (The seeds should be soaked in water before using.) Its benefits, however, go beyond a single action, as psyllium is adaptogenic, generally supporting of healthy bowel function and useful in treating conditions from diarrhea to irritable bowel syndrome. Psyllium is a particularly good choice for detoxification, as the gelatinous substance produced through soaking attracts and absorbs toxins. Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana) can be used as a natural laxative as well, alone or in conjunction with psyllium. It is safe for long-term use and strengthens the muscles of the colon. Alder buckthorn (R. frangula syn. Frangula alnus) can also be used. The bark of the plant is used, but it must be dried and stored for a year as the action of the fresh bark is so strong it is considered toxic.

Keeping the kidneys free from obstructions and in good working order is essential to the process of effectively eliminating toxins. Hydrangea root (Hydrange arborescens) and gravel root or Joe pye weed (Eupatorium purpureum) can help to prevent, dissolve, and expel crystals and stones in the kidneys and bladder. Both herbs contribute to the overall health of the urinary system. Juniper berries (Juniperus communis) strengthen and detoxify the kidneys, bladder, and urinary tract. While juniper is excellent for cleansing purposes, long-term use is not recommended as it can overtax the kidneys. It is also not recommended for use by those with kidney disease or infection. Nettle (Urtica dioica) has detoxifying properties that extend beyond the urinary system, but its diuretic action makes it particularly effective in this area. Overuse of nettle is not a concern as with juniper. Though the nettle root has the primary diuretic properties, all parts of the plant facilitate cleansing. Burdock root and seed (Arctium lappa) is similar to nettle in its cleansing and mild diuretic actions, but it is stronger in its effect. Accumulations of heavy metals within the body can be diminished with the aid of burdock.

The liver is the body's foremost organ for detoxification. Milk thistle (Carduus marianus syn. Silybum marianum) and dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale) help to cleanse and strengthen the liver. Milk thistle contains silymarin, which not only protects the liver, but actually helps it to regenerate itself. Dandelion root has a cleansing action that helps to remove waste from the liver and gallbladder. It works on the kidneys as well, and is a good choice for using in conjunction with burdock root as well as milk thistle.

One of the main functions of the lymphatic system is to remove waste products from the cells. If the lymphatic system is not working to its capacity, toxic buildup is inevitable. Cellulite is often a symptom of inadequate lymphatic drainage. Exercise and skin brushing help to stimulate healthy lymph flow. Massage is also helpful. Areas affected by cellulite can be helped with topical application of essential oils. Basil (Ocimum basilicum), celery (Apium graveolens), cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), juniper berry, lemon (Citrus limon), patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and thyme (Thymus vulgarus) are some of the most effective essential oils for drawing toxins out from under the skin and stimulating lymphatic circulation. Try blending three to five different oils, for a total of fifteen to twenty drops, in one ounce of carrier oil. Observe the aforementioned cautions for using juniper berry, and be aware that thyme oil can be irritating to the skin and should be used sparingly.

The language of detoxification often suggests an attitude of deprivation, restriction, and penance -- as if fasting and cleansing are the price to be paid for poor choices, whether we made them years ago or days ago. That attitude conjures images of a strict parent demanding that we be responsible for taking care of what we have been given. Perhaps that model will spur us to compliance in caring for our physical bodies, but it does not encourage mental and emotional health. Truly caring for the self feels like nurturing, not like deprivation or punishment. Small changes that feel like indulgences: long silent walks, a regular massage, and/or access to a steam room or sauna may provide a point at which caring for your physical self is a positive experience for your whole self. Begin there. Other shifts will occur. Dramatic actions may be chosen in cases of a health crisis, but overall, moderate rituals that are comfortable and supportive are likely to be more beneficial than a strict schedule of inflexible rules. The connection of mind and body will not allow us to be physically healthy at the cost of our peace of mind or sense of joy.

DISCLAIMER: Choosing a holistic approach to medicine means choosing personal responsibility for your health care. "Herbs for Health" offers a doorway through which to enter the realm of herbal healing, an invitation to further investigation on the part of the reader. It is in no way intended as a substitute for advice from a health care practitioner.