Natural Cleansing or Short Term Fast – The Natural Way 

Natural cleansing also referred to as fasting has been used for centuries. Ancient philosophers including Plato, Socrates and the father of medicine, Hippocrates practiced fasting as a way of preventing disease.

Because so many of our foods today are processed and contain toxins, cleansing is a way of giving your body a break. Cleansing and or fasting allows you to rid yourself of built up toxins that have accumulated over a period of time due to chemicals in our food, toxins in the environment and poor eating habits. 

It is also used to heal the body in certain instances and people who practice cleansing report that they have increased energy, better mental function, clearer skin, fresher breath, better immune function and overall a feeling of wellness and good health. 

One way that you can perform a cleanse and natural fast is the following: 

For a period of 14 days avoid the following:

Sugar

Animal products

Gluten

Caffeine

Alcohol 

During this time, drink plenty of water (at least 2 quarts of water/day) which will aid you in the cleaning of toxins from your body. 

Eat lots of fresh raw vegetables, salads, steamed vegetables, fresh fruits, and fruit smoothies.

 However, remember that this is a NATURAL cleansing. This can be of benefit for short term use. All the products and colon cleansers that are being advertised are not needed and further can cause severe consequences if used improperly. Herbal laxatives and other assorted enemas are usually not needed. Once you begin your natural cleansing you will be eating more natural fresh veggies and fruit and your colon should start functioning more effectively on it’s own.

A little about 2 TOXIC Substances we ingest:

 Did you know this about Caffeine?

 1. It can cause sleep disorders

2. It can contribute to eating disorders

3. It can cause hostility if you drink too much.

4. It can trick the central nervous system by ordering the release of adrenaline which can cause body tension, headaches and muscle spasm.

5. It can be addictive.

6. After stopping it you could experience a greater sense of well-being and feel less nervous.

 And what about ALCOHOL?

 1. It converts into glucose (blood sugar) and causes some of the same problems as when you take in too much sugar.

2. It can cause a toxic liver.

3. It can interfere with brain receptors (called neurotransmitters) causing your body to require more alcohol.

4. Can cause memory loss.

5. Can decrease your functions for reasoning, planning and prioritizing.

6. When alcohol is stopped the body can regenerate itself.

When you suffer from constipation it can be like a nagging toothache. To relieve symptoms and return to normal elimination patterns it is important to first try natural remedies.

 Increase your fluid intake Increase your activity level

Eat prunes/pear juice/prune juice/figs

However if these remedies do not work, try massaging your abdomen with an essential oil such as chamomile. The next steps could be;

Flaxseed, 1 TBS. 2-3 times/day in 2 cups of liquid.

OR

Dandelion root 1 tsp. boiled in water 3-4 times/day.

OR

Laxative tea containing: 3 parts Psyllium seed

3 parts Licorice root

2 parts Rhubarb root

 2 parts crushed Senna pods

2 parts Angelica root

Drink mixture in the evening prior to bedtime.

Remember to always use caution when using herbal laxatives and do not overuse.

If you are on a cleansing diet:

Some of the worst toxins are:

Caffeine

Alcohol

Sugar

White Flour

But if you normally have any or all of these, you may suffer withdrawl symptoms, so take it slowly when you are trying to stop these. Try to cut back over a week’s period prior to actually starting the cleansing diet.

A Natural Cleansing Diet

Going on a cleansing diet can have many benefits for you such as;

Weight loss

Improved digestion

Improved elimination

Improved sleeping patterns

Improved skin

Increased energy

Less joint pain

Overall sense of wellness

Many times we have weight gain, bloating, fatigue, headaches, and sleep problems from a build-up of toxins in our bodies. In ancient times fasting and cleansing was done every so often to cleanse the body and help it to rejuvenate.

If you suffer from a chronic medical condition, cleansing the body can be very beneficial for you.