General information
The organs and organ systems that are typically involved in detoxification are the liver, gall bladder, intestines, lymphatic system, kidneys, and skin.
What are the symptoms of needing to detoxify?
Tiredness will often be present, which is not be due to lack of nightly sleep or just tiredness after meals. More severe decreases in liver-gallbladder function cause more symptoms of increasing severity. These can include: stomach and intestinal problems such as stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, intestinal gas, light grey and possibly fatty faeces, aversion to fatty and fried food, and symptoms after eating fruit, or skin problems such as itching, eczema, oily skin, and jaundice. Other symptoms include headache, sore muscles, blood sugar imbalances, increased thirst, and dryness of the eyes.
The liver
All of the body’s cells are to some degree able to break down and excrete waste products with the help of different enzymes. This is especially true of the liver, which is responsible for preventing us from being poisoned by the long list of burdening waste products found in our food, dink, and even the air that we breathe. Even the most well functioning liver can be overburdened by an inappropriate lifestyle. The waste products/poisons which must be neutralised and excreted include our own used up hormones, neurotransmitters, etc., and various metabolites. These metabolites are not only products of the food and drink (including additives and alcohol) we intake, but also from micro-organisms, tobacco smoke, medicine, and other substances with poisonous effects on the body. Many people suffer as the result of lowered or slowed detox capacity. This can lead to serious diseases such as cancer because the immune system is also taxed by the build op of waste products over time.
Filtering
1.5 litres of blood pass through the liver every minute. Here so-called Kupffer cells filter various waste products and micro-organisms from the blood by sucking them up and destroying them.
Bile production and fibre content
The liver also produces bile, which among other things binds poisons and takes them through the bile ducts into the small intestine. Here many of these poisons are sucked up by any fibre present and excreted with the faeces. Therefore, if there is too little fibre in the intestines it can enable the filtered poisons to stay in the intestines, where they worsen the intestinal environment and have the ability to be absorbed through the intestinal wall and returned to the bloodstream.
Phase I and II liver detoxification
The liver is further supplied with a biphasic detoxifying system comprising phases I and II. These phases ideally work together. With the help of various oxidation and conjugation processes, fat soluble waste products become water soluble, thus enabling them to be excreted from the body.
When is it best to detox?
The short answer is when it is necessary. In other words, you can detox at any time. Nevertheless, there are two classic times during the year, when the seasons change, when it is best to get started. These times are the equinoxes of March and September, when the body needs to get ready for the new season.
Phase III detoxification
There is also third phase in the detoxification process where intestinal epithelial cells prevent toxins from entering the bloodstream.
How long should I detox
A typical detox cure takes between 6 and 12 weeks. Heavy metals can take longer time to remove from the body. In severe cases this can take years.
Yin and Yang
In the fields of macrobiotics and classic Chinese medicine the idea of an expansive “yin” counteracting a contractive “yang” is used. Many foods, including herbs, are either primarily yin or primarily yang, which is to say that they work either expansive or contractive on the tissues in the body. Some foodstuffs are neutral, which is to say that they have just as much yin as yang. When it is warm we should, with regards to our health and wellbeing, eat primarily yin foods because they are believed to be cooling and when it is cold we should eat primarily “warming” yang foods. This is part of the reason why starvation and liquid diets should primarily be undertaken during the summer (especially in northern climes). If they are undertaken during the winter months, the tendency of feeling cold increases.
Please note
- Never use herbal medicine or start a detox cure if you have symptoms which should be examined by a doctor.
- Pregnant and nursing women should avoid detox cures.
Vitamins and vitamin like substances
The body’s detoxification processes are enhanced by so many vitamins and minerals that a balances multivitamin – mineral complex is an important foundation for a detox cure.
- Vitamin C: Even though vitamin C is fragile (it is easily destroyed by heat, frost, and exposure to light and air) it is a fantastic detox substance. It is important for phase I detoxification. It has detoxifying effects on heavy metals and a wide array of environmental pollutants. It also contributes to the production of bile acids, which transports toxins in the body. With severe poisoning, it should be given intravenously.
- Vitamin B3 Niacin: Temporarily expands the small blood vessels (capillaries). Therefore also works to temporally lower blood pressure. Niacin can bind to minerals, including a number of heavy metals. It is also well suited for detoxification of the lymphatic system. Important for phase I detoxification.
- Choline: Is a part of the substance lectin. The body can produce it in the liver from the amino acids methionine and serine. If the body lacks B vitamins, its production of choline is reduced. Choline plays a part on the transportation of fats in the body and is important for normal liver and gall bladder function
- Inositol:A part of the substance, lecithin. Has a good, generally stabilizing effect on the course of a detox cure.
- The minerals magnesium, zinc, and copper are also important for phase I detoxification.
Herbs and detox
As a rule of thumbs solitary herbs should not be used for detox. Always use many different herbs, with effects which overlap so that it strengthens both phase I and phase II liver detox. Also make sure that there is adequate detoxification of the gallbladder, kidneys, and intestines. By doing this, the risk of local cell damage because of the build up of toxins in specific areas, is reduced.
Caution
Never use herbs or herbal medicines if you are uncertain of whether or not you have symptoms which should be looked at by a physician.
Herbs for the liver, gallbladder, stomach and intestines
- Artichoke (Cynara scolymus): Liver and intestines.
- Sacred Bark (Cascara sagrada): Works mildly laxative, but also strengthening for the liver, gallbladder, and digestion.
- Chicory (Cichorium intybus):
- Barberry (Berberis vulgaris): Good for detox in appropriate dosages – can be homeopathic. Used for the liver, gallbladder, and intestines.
- Gentian (Gentiana lutea): The root stimulates the production of stomach acid.
- Tumeric (Curcuma longa): Good against infection of the intestines.
- Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus):
- Angelica (Angelica archangelica): Stimulates both the circulation and digestion.
- Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium): One of the bitterest roots. Stimulates the excretion of bile and works to reduce inflammation, promote digestion, and reduce bloating.
- Milk thistle (Silybum marianum):
- Dandelion root (Radix Taraxacum officinale):
- St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum): Good for chronic detox.
- Picrorrhiza kurroa : Especially good for inflammation of the liver, but also has an immune-stimulating effect. Good with other herbs, but should not be overdosed
- Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis): Strengthens phase II liver detoxification.
- Senna (Cassia senna): Old, but effective remedy for constipation. Bother the pods and the leaves can be used. The pods work more mildly than the leaves. Do not use longer than one week
Herbs for the Kidneys
- Dandelion leaf (Folium Taraxacum officinale): Dandelion leaf (Folium Taraxacum officinale): The leaves’ high potassium content reduces the risk of potassium loss, which is a normal side effect of some forms of diuretics. The sap of fresh dandelion is also usefull.
- Parsley (Petroselinum crispum): Both the seeds and the root can be used. The seeds have the strongest effects, but should not be used if suffering from kidney disease.
- Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea): Well suited for those suffering from kidney stones and inflammation of the kidney-bladder.
Herbs for the blood and lymph
- Barberry (Berberis vulgaris): Good blood cleansing remedy if the recommended dosage is not exceeded
- Birch leaves (Folia betula): Works blood cleansing and as a diuretic
- Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica):
- Echinacea purpurea : Good both for the blood and the lymphatic system. Also stimulates the liver’s Kupffer cells.
- Burdock (Arctium lappa): The seeds are well suited for rinsing toxics from the blood and for heavy metal detox. Use together with other herbs.
- Yellow dock (Rumex crispus):
- Ginger (Zingiber officinalis):
- Celery (Apium graveolens): The seeds aid in the excretion of urea and other waste products.
Herbs for the skin
Herbs which are beneficial for the blood, lymph, and digestion, are also good for the skin.
- Burdock (Arctium lappa): The root is well suited for detox if suffering from certain skin disorders.
- Yellow dock (Rumex crispus):
- Sarsaparilla (Smilax f.a.): Cleanses and sooths with some skin disorders.
Amino acids
Here are sulphurous amino acids as well as amino acids which take part in the liver’s phase II detoxification.
- L-Methionine:
- Cysteine:
- Glutathione: Binds to poisons and makes them water soluble and therefore easier to excrete. Necessary for phase II detoxification.
- Glycine: Participates phase II detoxification
- Taurine: Participates phase II detoxification
Other
- Alpha lipoic acid : Strengthens and detoxifies the liver.
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa : These freshwater algae are good for detoxifying heavy metals.
- Fibre supplements : A sufficient fibre intake can absorb many of the waste products which are produced by an unhealthy intestine and transport them out of the body with the faeces. In this way, wastes are prevented from passing through the intestinal wall and entering the bloodstream.
- Modified citrus pectin : Well suited to detox of heavy metals.
- Oxygen products : Comprised of assorted substances with a high concentration of bound oxygen. On its way through the digestive system, oxygen is given off after coming into contact with the gastric juices after which the oxygen products function as free radicals. These free radicals attack harmful micro-organisms in the intestines as well as obstructing materials. Should not be taken at the same time as antioxidants.
- Salt in the form of a salt-bath: A half hour submerged in a bathtub filled with so-called physiologic salt water opens the skin’s pores and is beneficial to its metabolism. A physiologic salt bath is touted to detoxify the skin as effectively as a three day starvation diet. Physiologic salt water is made by dissolving 9 g salt per litre water, Use salt that contains many trace minerals, such as Dead Sea salt, Himalaya salt, or other high quality salt.
- Trimethylglycin (TMG): The methyl group in TMG is well suited for detoxifying the blood and removing the poisonous metabolite, homocysteine. Take with a B vitamin complex. Methyl groups are important in phase II detoxification.
- Water: Drink a pair litre of clean water daily when you detox (more in warmer climes.).
