Detoxification through safe, natural methods.

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Detoxification Through Natural Means

Jagannath Chatterjee

Today the word most discussed in patient circles is " toxins " . We are regularly

bombarded with toxins from every sphere, whether it be the chemicals and poisons

in the environment, the pesticide infested food we eat, the plastic containers

we use, the toxic elements in the workplace, the toxins we consume in the name

of medicines, the list is endless.

The liver, kidneys, the skin, the digestive system and the lymphatic system

regularly fight these toxins and tries to eliminate them. But as a naturopathic

doctor has recently pointed out, our elimination system is capable of fighting

hundreds of toxins, not tens of thousands of them. Therefore external help is

today essential to keep ourselves free from the scourge of toxins.

First, the prevention part. We should be careful to avoid these toxins. As we

go out into the busy streets of the cities, I would certainly advise wearing a

filter. The filters made of gauge cotton and charcoal, keep out most harmful

elements, if not all. Next we should curb the tendency to guzzle soft drinks and

the various fast food items. These are literally poisons, infested with various

harmful chemicals, used as ingredients or preservatives. We should try our best

to eat organic food that is grown naturally even if it costs a little more. If

we do not have access to organic food then we should try to wash the vegetables

in a light potassium permanganate solution to at least reduce the toxic load.

We should try to store food items and water in glass bottles instead of

plastic containers, as per recent research on the subject. The food we consume

should preferably be fresh, instead of being refridgerated or pre-processed,

ready to cook items.

If we are unable to stop medication, we should discuss the dosage and after

effects with our doctor. Doctors usually prescribe a one-size-fit-all dosage

instead of considering the body mass index and body type. We can also persuade

the doctor to give us safer alternatives. We should resist from taking

medications like antibiotics for viral problems, as they are useless in such

conditions. We should also never self medicate or depend on the pharmacist and

go in for over the counter medications.

Next the detoxification. Keeping fit and lean makes our body capable of better

resistance to the toxins as well as better elimination. Taking plenty of water

throughout the day (not at meal times) helps substantially. We should take 8 to

10 glasses of water per day. This is a must. Those who do not feel thirsty as a

rule or hate water can get themselves treated homeopathically for the condition.

Dr Leo Rebello, in his book " Nature Cure & Yoga Therapy " , advises four glasses

of lemon water enriched with a spoonful of honey and a pinch of pepper powder,

prepared fresh everytime, throughout the day, for a period of 10 to 15 days as a

detoxification method. After this,a glass of the same every morning will not

only help eradicate toxins but also help in maintaining the alkalinity of the

body. It also helps reduce fat. At least take a glass of lime water every

morning, fresh and preferably in a glass container. Lime water in metal

containers tend to react with the metal.

The water therapy should be accompanied by increasing ones intake of raw foods

and fruits, salads and fruit juices. The food should contain enough roughage to

facilitate elimination and prevent constipation. Constipation is supposed to be

the root cause of disease as the waste accumulated in the colon does not find a

way out and is recycled back into the body.

The food should be 80% alkaline and 20% acidic. The intake of non vegetarian

food should preferably be reduced, specially if one is not too active

physically. A well known naturopath has advised to avoid non vegetarian food,

including milk, like the plague considering the hormones, medication and

unnatural food given to the animals to fatten them and increase milk production.

All non-vegetarian foods, excluding milk, is acidic in content. Milk is neutral.

Curd and buttermilk can be included in the diet to facilitate digestion and keep

the guts healthy.

The white poisons, sugar, salt, white flour, and also deep fries, microwave

cooked food, are best avoided. Refined sugar and salt tax the body as a lot of

effort is needed to assimilate them. They rob the body of vital nutrients and

minerals. One should also reduce and eliminate smoking, alchohol intake and the

desire to sip endless cups of tea or coffee. Herbal tea is a good alternative.

Another option would be to sip a cup of warm water slowly everytime you get the

urge for consuming tea or other hot beverages. This will also help in curbing

acidity. In India herbal cigarettes are available for helping people kick the

habit of smoking.

Various yoga asanas that compress and twist the stomach will nourish the

alimentary canal, liver and kidneys by both squeezing them as well as increasing

the blood flow to these vital organs. One should exercise so that one sweats a

little so as to keep the pores of the skin open. After exercising one should

vigorously rub or massage the body, rest for some time and then take a bath,

caring again to massage the skin during the bath and while drying it later with

the towel. The massage not only helps the skin but also squeezes the cells

helping them eliminate the toxins. It also increases the blood flow to the skin.

Taking deep breaths while on a morning walk in natural surroundings will fill

the lungs with fresh air, thus ensuring that enough oxygen is supplied to the

lungs and body. A majority never breathe deep enough to supply the body with the

oxygen it needs. A few pranayama exercises, done slowly and taking care not to

overstrain oneself, may be included in ones exercise routine.

Remember always, your health is in your own hands. If you want to stay healthy

you must make a conscious effort. There is no pill which can take the place of

the above. Often the body automatically goes into the detoxification mode taking

the form of a cold, dysentery, diarrhoea or a skin rash. We should not

immediately try to stop those discharges. Rest, and taking plenty of fluids, is

the answer. However if the symptoms persist or are very violent, one should

consult a holistic healer.

The mainstream doctors do not recognise that the skin too is an excretory

organ. They do extreme harm by treating skin problems as external infections and

prescribing steroidal ointments to suppress them. We must remember that the skin

is the strongest organ of the body and the toxins that the other excretory

organs are unable to handle are excreted through the skin. The stronger the

toxin, the more the itch, inflammation and secretion. It is often noticed that

after the skin excretions are suppressed, other organs are affected. Today it is

recognised through scientific studies that treating eczema and psoriasis through

external means severely compromises the immune system and may lead to cancer.

You can also take the help of natural methods like accupressure and

accupuncture for detoxification. Reiki and Pranic Healing are very good for

eliminating emotional as well as physical toxins. A regular practice of self

appraisal and meditation will help rid oneself of negative thought patterns and

the resultant toxins they can create in the body. Emotional toxins are a hidden

danger that few guard against.

If you feel you need a full scale detox, please do it under the care of a

naturopathic doctor, or an ayurved or homeopath, as one can be inconvinienced by

the body's efforts at detoxification, especially if the toxic overload is huge.

Being under the care of a doctor reduces the anxiety as well as the discomfort.

One can also avail specialist treatments like steam baths, mud baths, enemas

etc.

Try the above and feel physically and mentally fit and fresh. And also save

the money you would pay to the doctor if you did not pay attention to

detoxification. Toxin accumulation within the body is the prime cause of disease

according to all holistic modes of treatment.

A good site to learn more is:

http://www.healingdaily.com/colon-kidney-detoxification.htm

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Jagannath Chatterjee, ,jagchat01@...

" Our ideal is not the spirituality that withdraws from life but the conquest

of life by the power of the spirit. " - Aurobindo.

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