For centuries people from many cultures have taken the time to practice ritual cleansing in order to promote wellness and vitality. This was traditionally done through fasting, sweating (i.e. sweat lodges, steam baths and saunas) and by purging the body. Wherever and however we live today it is inevitable that we are exposed to a wide range of toxins from many sources including chemicals in the foods we eat, environmental pollutants, as well as ‘body produced’ toxins or waste products produced by minute to minute metabolic processes. Below is an outline of an herbal cleanse which is safe and effective and not too drastic.
Important: There are certain times when it is not recommended to do a cleanse.
- 1) If you are pregnant or breast feeding.
2) If you have very high or very low blood pressure.
3) If you have severe bouts of hypo-glycaemia (low blood sugar).
4) If you have diabetes type 1.
Days 1 and 2
Important: Your herbal teas can be enjoyed throughout the cleanse.
Before beginning the cleanse itself it is a good idea to eliminate all foods which are considered to be ‘junk’ foods such as candy, soft drinks, chips, and greasy or fried foods.
For two days the diet should consist primarily of whole grains, vegetables, legumes (beans), fruits, nuts, seeds and fish.
Recommended foods:
- Grains—buckwheat, brown rice, millet, kamut, spelt, quinoa, barley, oats.
All vegetables—lightly steamed, juiced, or eaten raw.
Legumes—beans, peas, chick peas, lentils, mung beans etc. note- these should be home prepared, ie purchased dry, then soaked (discard soaking water) and cooked in fresh water.
Fruits—apples, pears, grapes, blueberries, melons, pineapple (fresh)
Nuts/seeds—fresh, not roasted or salted!
Fish —especially cold water fish like wild trout and salmon (steamed or grilled).
Plenty of pure water should be consumed throughout the day.
Tip: To facilitate the bodies natural tendency to eliminate waste products out of the system try wet saunas, massage, and skin brushing (brush skin with dry loofa, or jute brush).
Days 3 and 4
After a couple of days of adjusting to a more wholesome, natural diet you can focus on eliminating foods which are a little harder to digest. These include protein rich foods such as meats, nuts, seeds, fish, and legumes. By the end of day 4 only whole grains, vegetables (raw or steamed), fruits and juices should be eaten. Focus should also be made on reducing the amount of food eaten as this will optimize the cleansing process and give the digestive system a break. Remember to chew food properly!
Fresh pressed Juices
- Vegetable—A very cleansing and alkaline juice combination is 1/2 a litre of organic carrot juice, and 1/2 litre of a combination of celery, parsley and beet. Drink throughout the day with plain water.
Apple & Ginger—A combination of apples and a small amount of fresh ginger root makes a delicious warming juice combo.
Vegetable Broth
A nutritious broth can be made with a variety of organic vegetable which have been washed, sliced and added to spring water. Simmer for 1 hour and strain. Add a pinch of cayenne to gently stimulate the circulation and warm the body.
Important: Do not discontinue prescription medication without specific instructions to do so.
Day 5
Day 5 should be the ‘juicing’ part of the cleanse. Only freshly juiced vegetables, herbal teas and spring water should be taken at this time. Thicken by adding back the firerous material from the juicer or adding in flax seed powder, slippery elm powder or psyllium powder.
Day 6
If we assume that you have done 1 day of pure vegetable juices, day 6 is the day you break the fast. Choose one or a combination of the following foods:
- Grapes—These should be organic.
Apples & Pears—These may be red or green.
Melons—Cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon.
Note: During colder months break your fast with steamed veggies and whole grains.
Days 7
At this point you can introduce fresh raw vegetables, steamed vegetables and grains and light proteins such as fish. The point is to gradually re-introduce healthy, easy to digest foods.
The end of the cleanse
By the end of the 7 day cleanse you should be feeling good, with more energy and a feeling of increased vitality. Now that you have cleaned out your system a little and have focused on better nutrition it is important to make the effort not to slip back into old habits.
For your custom formula please contact:
- The Herbal Clinic & Dispensary storefront
409 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto.
(Across from the Revue Theater) (416) 537-5303