Introduction to Full Mind/Body Cleansing

A Brief History of Cleansing

For all of recorded history, humans all over the world have performed regular detoxification programs (body/mind cleansing practices), which have helped maximize their health. Now, in the past 160 years, since the Industrial Revolution began, more than 100,000 chemical compounds have been introduced into our bodies in more than a million combinations.

This has had a dramatic effect on our health, yet in Western cultures, people generally don’t cleanse, giving free reign for these toxins to wreak havoc on us, and the bodies and minds of our children and the elderly. Children and seniors are particularly vulnerable. Children because their small bodies are exposed to the same burden of potentially harmful chemicals as adults, and seniors because many of these toxins accumulate, and as seniors slow down, the effects on their bodies and minds increase.

Why should I detox?

The liver is responsible for eliminating anything from within the body that doesn't belong there. But, with the level of toxins that we're exposed to in the 21st Century, via our food, air, water, body care products, building supplies, everything we come in contact with and breathe in, the liver gets overwhelmed and simply can't keep up.

​Whatever the liver can't handle in the moment gets stored in our cells, organs and tissues, and can lead to or contribute to disease, autoimmune conditions, chronic pain and numerous discomforts. We just consider it "normal" or part of "aging." But, regular cleansing of our organs, cells and tissues helps alleviate the symptoms associated with disease and chronic pain, allowing for rejuvenation and optimal health at any age.

Whether we're addressing mental and emotional health issues such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's, autism, ADD/ADHD, or we're talking about more physical concerns like Crohn's disease, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and more, a quality spring and fall cleanse can make all the difference in whether we are profoundly affected by these conditions or we thrive in the face of them!

Many people hear the words detox, detoxification or cleansing, and think that it's going to be uncomfortable, or that they need to be seconds away from a bathroom. In my opinion, if that's the case, it's not a healthy, well designed, or safe cleanse.

What we're discussing here is a cleanse that opens the Seven Channels of Elimination (the liver, lungs, blood, skin, lymphatic system, kidneys and colon) so that our body can release toxins safely and completely, which means that we don't have to deal with them again and again. A less safe cleanse might mean that the body releases these toxins and chemical compounds from our organs, cells and tissues, but does not eliminate them completely from the body, causing them to end up in new or different locations, which are often less safe than where the liver originally stored them, providing a short-term benefit but can be fraught with long-term harm.

How do I get started?

There are three important first steps to get started cleansing and improving your health. The first is to drink enough water every day. Ideally, we should drink half our body weight in ounces of good, clean, fresh, pure water every day: for a 150-pound person, that means drinking 75 ounces of water daily. If you’re not sure that you’re meeting this goal, and most people are not, you can measure your water intake for a few days and increase it as necessary.

The second step involves quieting your mind (often referred to as meditation) for 20 minutes to two hours, each day. Make it a habit and engage in a mind-quieting activity that you enjoy at least several times a week, and daily is even better. This can look like sitting with your legs crossed while meditating, but it can also be accomplished with things like singing, yoga, deep breathing, focused exercise, walking the dog, petting the cat, brushing the hair of a senior citizen, volunteering at a soup kitchen, or anything that takes your mind off of “the daily grind” and gives it a much needed rest. 

Meditation has been shown to be the best strategy for helping the body reduce excess inflammation, and excess inflammation is the common thread with ALL disease, pain and discomfort, whether physical, mental or emotional.

Lastly, consume quality organically grown foods and herbs daily, leading up to and during your cleansing period. You might choose Turmeric, since it is considered to be the most powerful herb, supported by scientific research, for reducing excess inflammation and detoxifying the liver. If you add turmeric to your food, or take it in tea form, be sure to purchase a good organic, fresh or dry powdered turmeric for optimal benefits. If you choose to take it in supplement form, get an organically grown turmeric product or one that is considered high quality and full-spectrum. In other words, not a product found in a big box store, pharmacy, or supermarket, or that is 95% curcumin or mixed curcuminoids.

Regardless of what health condition or conditions you are dealing with, beginning with these three important first steps, you will likely already start to feel health benefits. When you’re ready to take the next steps toward vibrant health and optimal well-being, check back in for more information about proper cleansing or schedule a personal consultation with me and get started today!

Comment below and let me know what experiences you've had with cleansing or anything else you'd like to know about it.