Detoxification (continued - p2 of 3)

Reduce Food and Drink (Fasting) (Day 4-7)

Continue recommendations for the first three days, but on the fourth day increase water consumption from 8C to one gallon, and only drink fluids at dinner. On the fifth day drink only fluids for both dinner and lunch. On the sixth day drink only fluids for all meals, and on the seventh day drink water only (fast). Horsetail may also be used as an herbal appetite suppressant and stimulant (in tea, extract or pill/tablet forms) to curb the appetite and to increase metabolism, but only at breakfast and lunch during the fasting phase.

* Note: Aside from water, fluids may include non-dairy milks (such as nut, seed or bean/legume milks) and juices (including fruit, veggie, sprout and grass juices). Non-dairy milks are rich calories and many other nutrients. In this form they are quickly and easily digested, providing readily available, yet long lasting energy. Bean and legume milks are acidic and acid producing however, so drink less of these than any other fluids to help maintain a healthy PH balance. Fruit, veggie, sprout and grass juices are a rich source of antioxidants, chlorophyll and many nutrients including enzymes and bioflavanoids. The brighter, deeper or darker the color, the more bioflavanoids and antioxidants plant foods generally contain. Likewise, the darker green a plant is the more chlorophyll it usually contains. Sprouts, grasses and alfalfa (leaf) are the best sources of chlorophyll, as are most dark green plant foods. Fruit and vegetable juices should therefore include those which are dark and brightly colored (i.e., white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple).

Reduce External Toxins, Rebalance and Restore (Day 8-10)

On the eighth day, reduce water intake back to the recommended 8C, eat fresh fruits and vegetables for breakfast (without using horsetail), fluids only for lunch and water only for dinner. On day nine have a shake or smoothie for breakfast, fresh fruits or veggies for lunch, fluids only for dinner, and discontinue use of horsetail (if applicable). On the tenth day, eat a small bowl of yogurt containing live probiotics (to repopulate the GI tract with healthy flora) with granola for breakfast, have a shake or smoothie with fruit or veggie bread and homemade walnut butter for lunch, fresh fruits and vegetables for dinner, and discontinue regular use of Herbal Detox Tea.

Possible Detoxification Side Effects

The more in need of detoxification the body is, the longer and more unpleasant the process will be, as toxins can do as much damage going out as in, especially when they have accumulated over a long period of time. Detoxification side effects may include headaches, decreased heart rate, low blood pressure, skin eruptions, rashes, weakness and fatigue, allergic reactions, weight loss, colds, sore throat, swollen tonsils, fever, body aches, frequent urination, diarrhea, nervousness, irritability, depression, orange or yellow skin color (contrary to the popular myth that this is due to excessive carrot consumption, it is actually a sign of liver detoxification), respiratory congestion or other possible side effects, which may last for up to several weeks or more. These and other side effects do subside however, once balance is restored, congestion is cleared and the body is again able to detoxify itself efficiently. To help reduce side effects, don't rush the process. If you spent ten years abusing your body, expect to spend up to two years or more detoxifying the body (1-4 times yearly), removing congestion and repairing the damage. When detoxification is complete, the body will also become more sensitive to toxins than before, as the systems of detoxification will no longer be lagging in their work; they will be looking for toxins to eliminate!

Next: Detoxification (p3 of 3) ››