Detoxification is the process of removing and or eliminating heavy metals, poisonous chemicals and other toxic substances from the body. Naturopaths and herbalists commonly recommend detoxification therapies for specific purposes like diet, more energy, and as treatments for specific health reasons.http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-detoxification.htm

Focus of Detoxifications

The types of detoxification primarily focus on the following areas of the body; liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, and blood..<ref>http://chetday.com/spencedetox.html</ref>

The types of detoxifications include:http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-different-types-of-detoxification.htm

• Alcohol detoxification which primarily focuses on the liver in order to bring the alcoholic or heavy drinkers body back to a more normal state
• Drug detoxification primary focus is the blood, blood/brain barrier, kidneys and liver. When refering to drugs it is in referring to the chemical drugs, prescribed or otherwise that have been abused and are now abusing the body.
• General Bodily detoxification focuses on the detoxification of the skin. A spa visit by many women includes such a detoxification even if it is not called such. Mineral mud and herb wraps act to detoxify the skin.
• Colon cleansing and detoxification removes waste material that has become impacted in and on the walls of the colon. It is estimated that the average American adult has about 12 – 22 pounds of impacted fecal matter stuck to their colon walls. It is important not to upset the natural flora of the digestive system which a detoxification can do, after a detoxification it is important to also do a flora replenishment to return the digestive track to a healthy state. http://www.herbnet.com/ask%20the%20herbalist/asktheherbalist_detoxification.htm
• Kidney detoxification The kidneys filter toxin from the blood supply of the human body. When excess toxins or overload toxins need to be filtered they may accumulate in the kidneys.http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/10714/1/Body-Detoxification-Facts.html
• Lung detoxification The purpose of the lungs in detoxification is to remove air born toxin. When toxins accumulate (as in smoking for example – take a look at a smokers lungshttp://www.smokerslungs.com/ and you will see what happens to the lungs when they cannot filter the toxic substances.
• Skin detoxification removes toxic substances through the pores of the skin, sweating is one of the best skin detoxifications. http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/10714/1/Body-Detoxification-Facts.html

In conventional medicine, certain forms of detoxification can also be achieved by dialysis and chelation therapy http://www.chelationbc.com/

Warning:

When detoxifying there is a chance that you may come down with a condition known as “The Herxheimer Reaction”. There is always the chance that one may detoxify to quickly, when this occurs the organs release the toxic substances into the body faster than the body is able to eliminate them. The reaction by the body, which can include vomiting, nausea and headaches, an overall drained feeling, as well as irritability. If you find yourself experiencing any of these, it is recommended that you:

• Drink plenty of pure water, reverse osmosis water is pure water
• Get as much sun light as you can and supplement with Vitamin D3
• Eat fiber based foods to keep your bowels moving
• Exercise comfortably to point of mild sweat
• Saunas, Infra red, and steam baths help the body to sweat out excess toxins and can help
• Cut back on the Detoxification program you were on
• Speak with and get the advice of a health professional if symptoms persist. Your herbalist, naturopathic doctor, nutritionist and medical doctor are all sources of assistance and advice.

The Herxheimer Reaction is the perfect reason that people going on a detoxification program should always consult a health professional, such as an herbalist or naturopathic doctor.http://chetday.com/spencedetox.html

Many forms of detoxification can be found on the internet (buyer beware). An herbalist or naturopathic doctor or practitioner will know best what type and kind of detoxification you should use in addition to other measures that you should take depending on the detoxification process. There are different types of detoxification processes that include the following. http://www.herbalisthealth.com/content/view/29/26/

• Herbal Solutions, Herbal Teas, Herbal Supplements, Herbal Patches
• Infra Red Patches, Infra Red Therapy
• Herbal Foot baths
• Saunas and Steam Baths
• Gerson Therapy
• Breathing or oxygen therapy
• Exercise – such as Yoga, Qi Gong etc
• Water / Juice Fasting

In conventional medicine, certain forms of detoxification can also be achieved by dialysis and chelation therapy http://www.chelationbc.com/

Detoxification is carried out based on the health requirements through, oral administration, contact with the skin as in foot pads or other pads, certain forms of exercise and heat therapies to elicit the elimination of them through the skin, through the application of a suppository, and through breathing.http://islanddruid.shorturl.com/

• Detoxification kit

• Appropriate detoxification herbs

• Instructions from an Herbalist, Naturopath or other health professional

One of the benefits of Kombucha Tea that is seldom mentioned is its ability to aid in the detoxification of the body and organs. Kombucha Tea has been in use in China since around 250 BCE in the aid of stomach problems and digestion, and in the detoxification or cleansing primarily of the Liver. http://worldvillage.com/kombucha-tea-for-detox

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor, herbalist, or Naturopathic Doctor before beginning or trying any product, service or information found on this page or the links.