Even before the advent of Aspirin and Pepto-Bismol, man has found ways of remedying common ailments by turning to nature. In fact, a large percentage of the drugs we use today contain substances from nature. Research has only gone so far in discovering chemicals from plants that can be used in pharmaceuticals. It is very likely that we have only begun to scratch the surface of the potential that plants possess in cleansing our bodies to rid of toxins. By cleansing our bodies of toxins on a regular basis we may very well be able to improve the quality of our life. In fact, there are a number of herbs that can be easily obtained from our local health food store which we can use on a regular basis that will do just that. Some of them are discussed below:

1) One Herb that help detoxify the digestive system by acting as a laxative is cascara sagrada which have been shown to stimulate secretions by the stomach, liver, and pancreas. It has been found by many studies to reduce microbial action in digestive systems.

2) Since the liver is responsible for a lot of detoxifying jobs, we can supplement our diets with herbs and compounds that specifically act on that organ. Silybum marianum or milk thistle has long been used on patients with liver diseases such as cirrhosis. Silymarin is a compound extracted from milk thistle, which helps the liver produce bile and dissolving substances that act on fat, drugs, alcohol, and other toxins.

Studies show that silymarin treatments have been shown to be effective against skin and prostate cancer cells. Moreover it has been proved that silymarin has abilities similar to reducing the toxic effects of chemotherapy on cancer patients. Milk thistle can be ingested in tea or caplet form.

3) Another herb that can be used together with milk thistle in helping the liver is dandelion root. Like the milk thistle, dandelion root is said to further protect the liver and the gall bladder. Studies show that dandelion treatments help produce antioxidants and reduce infections and incidence of arthritis in mice. Dandelion leaves can be eaten as vegetable dishes and roots can be extracted for beverage additives.

4) Turmeric, or Curcuma longa, is a spice used in many Asian dishes, especially Indian cuisine. This herb helps stimulate bile production and protects the liver against damage by supporting its detoxification. Aside from that, Curcuma produces antioxidants and prevents inflammation. It can be used as a drink in teas, or added in powdered form as seasoning to dishes. Turmeric has been widely studied for its potential to treat many diseases as well as in detoxification of the liver.

All of the above herbs are known for their powerful effect on detoxifying the excretory system, however, let’s not forget about other organs that need detoxifying too! For example, our filtering and excreting organs also need detoxifying. Many herbs have been used as diuretics, which stimulate and improve urination for expelling nitrogenous wastes. There are also anti-lithics, which prevent kidney and bladder stone formation, and diaphoretics, which stimulate perspiration to further remove salts and oils from the skin. Some of these herbs are below:

5) Nettle, is a popular diuretic used by many cultures for detoxifying. The roots, as well as all other plant parts of the nettle, are used for body cleansing. Traditional uses of the nettle for treating urinary conditions have been seen in Arabia, Turkey, Serbia, and other countries in the middle-east and Mediterranean regions. In 2007, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine published that Urtica along with other herbs can lower glucose levels and can be an alternative for treating diabetes. Another study in 2002 published in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy showed that Urtica treatments can improve the conditions of patients with prostatic hyperplasia, or enlargement of the prostate gland and obstruction of the urinary tract.

6) Native Americans have been reported to have used Hydrangea root as a diuretic and anti-lithic herb treatment. This plant is not only a decorative garden addition, but a powerful detoxifier as well. Toxins can be eliminated from the body by stimulating urination. Hydrangea is used for dissolving kidney and bladder stones, as well as treating enlarged prostate glands in male patients. American Indians also use this herb as a diaphoretic, to stimulate perspiration and reduce fevers. Some studies have also shown that extracts from hydrangea have antimicrobial properties.

7) Another diuretic, which is slightly milder than others, is juniper berry, or Juniperus communis. This plant has functions that not only help the excretory system, but enhance other body functions as well. Aside from stimulating loss of fluids, extracts from this herb can stimulate digestion, kill microbes, reduce infections, and treat rheumatism. Juniper also stimulates blood and lymph circulation. An interesting research conducted in Japan in 1999 and published by the journal Chemical Senses even showed that inhalation of juniper oils and extracts enhanced work concentration and alertness in test subjects.

Since we perspire as a means of removing excess wastes from the body, we cannot prevent ourselves from releasing unwanted odors. Alfalfa grass, or Medicago sativa, is also a diuretic because it contains fiber, but it can deodorize the body and promote fresh breath. Saponins, or compounds which dissolve fats and cholesterol, have been isolated from alfalfa, and found to have reduced absorption of cholesterol in the intestines of rats. Also, alfalfa is being studied for its antioxidant properties.

9 & 10) Other diaphoretic herbs, those that promote perspiration and reduce fever are garlic (Allium sativum), ginger (Zingiber officinalis), and peppermint (Mentha piperita). Herbal teas made from these household ingredients can be drunk to reduce fever and increase perspiration. Many dietary supplements that stimulate slimming include these herbs.

As you can see, The Almighty has been extremely generous in providing us with alternatives for living clean lives. It’s just a shame that most humans forget to thank Him! There are hundreds to thousands more herbs and natural products used in detoxification today. There are even millions more that scientists are yet to discover, however the best complete detoxification program that I’ve found is this one.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 17th, 2007 at 3:18 am and is filed under Colon Cleansing And Detox. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.