GENTLE

Avoid Toxins

Toxin exposure falls into 4 main categories: Environmental toxins, household toxins, food toxins and lifestyle toxins. Find out how to reduce your exposure to toxins and neutralise their effects. Read more

Drink Plenty Of Water

Most detox regimes recommend flooding the body with purified or filtered water, rather than the bottled kind. Infusing the body with water will immediately stimulate your kidneys, liver and digestive system’s (primary detox organs) functions. It will boost your metabolism, which in turn accelerates toxin and fat elimination. Read more

Sweat It All Out!

Various cultures throughout history have used many forms of sweat baths to flush out toxins and disease and maintain optimal physical and mental health. Discover the Real Benefits of The Sauna.

Detox Skin Brushing

The skin is a major elimination organ, it is known to be responsible for 10% of total body elimination, and is sometimes referred to as the 3rd kidney.

Not only does Dry Skin Brushing improve the appearance of the skin by eliminating dead cells and helping new skin to regenerate, it also stimulates blood circulation, the lymphatic system and enhances toxin elimination.

In addition, the massaging effect of the bristles is known to have a highly beneficial effect on cellulite.

The technique is very simple and takes between 3 and 5 minutes.
Choose a NATURAL bristle brush with a long handle or a loofah.

Start with your feet, brushing (small circular motions are best), up towards your legs and buttocks, always work your way towards the heart. Next, brush your hands, again working towards the centre of the body. Then it's the buttocks and the back towards the stomach and the heart, and finally the neck and the face. Go gently over sensitive areas, or use a gentler brush or flannel, and insist on cellulite and fat areas.

Always brush skin when it's DRY. Skin Brushing is best when done in the morning, just before your shower or bath. Read more

The Healing Crisis: Symptoms to expect when you start to detox

Some symptoms are common at the beginning of a detox program and are usually a sign that your body is shifting toxins. These include headache, nausea, fatigue, uneasiness, sleepiness, flu-like symptoms, constipation, diarrhoea and even skin rashes. You will feel worse before you get better. Don't interrupt your detox because of these symptoms, they are a sign that your body is responding to the program. Soon they will fade as your body reaches a new level of health. Be kind to yourself and get as much rest as you can during a detox program. Read more

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MODERATE

Yoga

Yoga is a great way to eliminate toxins through movement, breathing and postures. Dynamic-type yoga such as Ashtanga or Power Yoga are particurlarly effective and powerful for detox, as they generate heat and induce profuse sweating. I remember times in India when- in the downward dog posture- sweat would pour out of my forehead like an open tap! The Ujjay breathing or "fire breathing" which is used in Ashtanga Yoga is known to generate a cleansing heat and encourage sweating. It enhances oxygen supply and detoxifies the blood.

Standard yoga postures like twists, compresss internal organs like the stomach, intestines, kidneys and liver, litterally squeezing toxins out in the process. Regaining a normal posture after a twist will draw new blood and oxygen into these organs.

Inverted postures like the head and shoulder stands bring fresh blood rushing into the chest and brain, creating a "flushing" and cleansing effect and oxygenating the cells.

Finally breathing and relaxation help detox the mind, calming it down and ridding it of stress and mental toxins.

Watch this space for detox yoga postures coming soon.

Detox Diets

Detox diets advocates believe that, due to physical and emotional stress or dehydration, toxins don't leave our body completely during the normal elimination process, hence the need for detox diets. Detox diets typically last from 3 to 10 days and are usually based on eating raw foods, particularly fruits and vegetables (organic), while completely abstaining from foods like wheat, dairy, milk, fish, eggs, meat, caffeine, alcohol, salt, sugar and processed foods. Read more

Juice Detox Diets and Juice Fasting

A 3-day juice and water fast is beneficial during seasonal changes. Any fast that lasts over 3 days should be medically supervised. You can mix a variety of freshly squeezed -preferably organic- fruit or vegetable juices or smoothies (which are more satisfiying). It's agreat energy booster and is also helpful if you suffer from bloating or digestive problems. But the best part is what it does to skin and complexion, it's a magic effect! Read more

Dr. Elson Haas: General Detoxification and Cleansing

Many common acute and chronic illnesses may be alleviated by a program of detoxification/cleansing, as they are basically created by short- and long-term congestive patterns. ... Read Dr. Haas's insights on Detoxification and Cleansing.

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EXTREME

Detox Fasting

Detox is the foremost argument presented by advocates of fasting. Detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or neutralising the toxins resulting from biochemical functions, through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph nodes, and skin.

Fasting precipitates this process because, when food no longer enters the body, the latter turns to its fat reserves for energy. When the fat reserves are used for energy during a fast, they release the stored chemicals from the fatty acids into the system and are then eliminated through the above mentioned organs.

Another benefit of fasting is the healing process it triggers. During a fast, energy is diverted away from the digestive system towards the metabolism and immune system, since there is no food to mobilise it. Read more

Colon Cleansing and Enemas

The main role of the large intestine (colon) is the absorption of water and nutrients from food as well as the removal of waste and toxins. Research has shown that, over the years, the colon walls may become encrusted with non eliminated waste, making it sluggish and functioning inefficiently. Read more

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