Detoxification is somehow considered mysterious or complicated even though many of the simplest and most effective techniques have been embraced for thousands of years.
My detoxification repertoire is quite expansive. Although you might not use the same techniques as I do, I am sure each of you benefits from your own detox strategies. If you have room for one or two more, you might be inspired to try out a few of these:
Alkalizing Detox: This is your daily eating habits and the foundation for any sound program for attaining or maintaing health. Eat life-supporting whole foods (greeens, greens, greens) and avoid acid-forming crap like sugar, most flours, sodas, caffeine, food additives, and preservatives. Identifying and eliminating foods to which you’re allergic or hypersensitive can provide amazing benefits including better digestion, little to no flatulence, weight control, and decreased joint or muscle pain. I have eliminated dairy and wheat with immediate results.
Drinking Pure Water: A reverse-osmosis water purifier or a Kangen system is your best choice for protection from chemical and biological contaminants, since ordinary water filters don't remove fluoride, viruses, and many chemicals.
Drinking Hot Water/Lemon: Drinking hot water (with freshly squeezed lemon juice) first thing in the morning helps support digestion (particularly the liver) and hydration, two key factors for detoxification.
Skin brushing: Our skin is the largest and one of the most active. Every minute old skin cells die and new ones are created. Using a vegetable fiber brush over the entire body removes dead cells and stimulates new cell growth. Brush your skin while standing on a cloth and you will notice just how many flakes of old skin are removed. This is also very vigorating and stimulating.
Sesame oil massage: Give yourself a full body massage with warm sesame oil immediately before you shower. This Ayurvedic practice nourishes and detoxifies the skin while calming the entire nervous system.
Detox mineral bath: Just add 1/2 cup each of baking soda and Epsom salts to your bath water and soak. I’ll sometimes add a few tablespoons of sesame oil if my skin feels dry. This mineral bath releases toxins from the skin and provides a relaxing environment. If bathing at night time, I add a few drops of lavender oil to the bath water.
Nasal Cleansing: Use a neti pot at the first sign of allergy or sinus symptoms. You can buy a neti pot with the needed accessories at a healthy food store (do not buy at a pharmacy).
Purifying herbal teas, veggie juices, and supplemental antioxidants: Many herbs are wonderful and very effective for detoxifying...whether it be the bowels, the liver and gallbladder, the kidneys, the blood or the skin. There are many programs that I recommend depending upon your health. Juicing is key to good health. A daily juice made of fresh greens and a variety of other veges plus some fruit for taste can change your life by eliminating so many problems that you thought couldn't be taken care of without a prescription med.
Coffee Enemas: As awful as this may sound, it can be life-saving. Coffee pulls toxins from the liver and activates the gallbladder. I have done this for years and find the results and the benefits amazing. Whether it be a simple headache, an injury, intestinal/stomach upset, an ache, constipation or anxiety...this remedy has helped me and many others who do it. Coffee Enemas are nature's pain reliever.
Liver/GallBladder Flush: this is another ritual that I undertake on a monthly basis. Each time I do so, I pass over 100 stones. As long as my body, blood and cells store toxins, I will continue to do this flush. I know when I need to do this b/c the area between my eyebrows begin to ache.
Meditation: how can you live without this? If you do not quiet the mind chatter, you're going to drive yourself crazy and some of you already have. So, begin by educating your self regarding the aspects and function of the mind. The thoughts you are having are not unlike the thoughts those around you are having. So, why are some people happier than others? Why are most people miserable? There's a secret without it being a secret. It's called meditation (not anti-anxiety or anti-depressive drugs...stay away from those if you can). Come to the meditation classes offered at Rising Sun Yoga.
Yoga: I practice this as part of my day whether it be the poses, meditation, contemplation, breathing or helping another human being.
At my age, I am so healthy relative to most others I know and I attribute it to all of the above!
Remember, purification and building the body/mind leads to progress, one step at a time! Keep the body healthy and you'll finally be able to focus on purifying the mind.