The Herbalist

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Overdone it this Christmas -
How about a Detox?

Jenny Jones Dip Phyt, FNIMH

Controversy abounds about the benefits or otherwise of Detoxing, with the medical profession saying it's a useless exercise and the beauty industry making a fortune out of selling detox packs.

Perhaps they both have a point. It's true that the body has its own inbuilt mechanisms to keep the body free from toxins without which we would be forever falling ill. Let's face it; the world is hardly a clean place. The air, water and food we eat are all less than ideal and without our organs of elimination working away we'd all be very toxic indeed. But Christmas feasting does put an extra strain on our bodies, so perhaps a little extra tender loving care is called for?

So is there any need to spend your hard earned money on detoxing preparations and remedies? Well, not really. Everything you need to spruce up your body, your mind and to lift your spirits in the dark days of January is easy to come by.

Your first New Year's Resolution should be to drink lots of water. A litre a day should be enough to rehydrate after a boozy Festive season. Squeeze the juice of a lemon into your first glass of the day to add vitamin C and liven up your complexion.

To help your liver take Milk Thistle capsules. Milk Thistle has been used for centuries as a liver tonic and is perfectly safe for adults to take.

The dose will depend on the product you buy, so follow the recommendations. Take the full recommended dose for a week and then slowly reduce the amount over the next month. If your bowels need some help, sprinkle some psyllium husk powder over your morning cereal, or take it in a glass of water. Psyllium husk normalises bowel function and can be taken for about a week. (If bowel problems persist longer seek help from a herbalist). You can also support your liver and kidneys by drinking herb teas. Why not mix a few from the list below to make a couple of tea blends to your taste.

Returning to your normal diet should soon see the extra pounds falling away. However, make sure you get your fruit and veg. Over indulging can have an adverse effect on the immune system so the anti-oxidants in these will help. If you can't eat your vitamins, then take a good quality vitamin and mineral tablet every day. Perhaps you should also resolve to walk up the stairs rather than taking the lift. Every little helps!

Taking a relaxing and detoxing bath once a day during the first week of your detox can be very beneficial. Make up herbal bath bags using the recipe below. Epsom and sea salt both draw impurities from the skin. When you get out of the bath, wrap yourself in a large warm towel and get straight into a warm bed. You will continue to detox during the night. Make sure you have a drink of water as soon as you wake. Finally, resolve to catch up on your sleep with a relaxing cup of herb tea before bed.

Teas to support the liver and kidneys; Dandelion, Ginger, Mint, Fennel, Marigold, Liquorice (as long as you don't have high blood pressure. If you do steer clear of Liquorice).

Teas to help you sleep; Lemon balm, vervain, chamomile, lavender.

Bath bag; Mix half a cup of Epsom salts or sea salt with a handful of lavender flowers and a few drops of lavender oil. Put the mixture in a cloth, tie it into a 'Dorothy bag' and hang it from the hot water tap whilst you run the bath. If you don't like lavender then use lemon balm, chamomile or a mixture of your favourite relaxing herbs.

DIY Iron Tonic

For those wanting a mid-winter lift try this tonic that is full of iron, calcium and vit C.

Fill a jar with:

1 part organic orange peel
4 part crushed dried nettle
4 parts dried chopped organic apricots
Cover well with organic red wine.

Method: Leave to stand for 3 weeks, strirring daily. Strain off and reserve the liquid. Squeeze the pulp through a muslin bag and add the resulting liquid to the rest. Store in dark bottles in a cool place.

Dose: 1 dessert spoon twice a day.

You can add a little hot water if you prefer. This is a really good tonic for mid-winter, helping with lethargy, anaemia and that down feeling that can come upon us after Christmas. It is safe and good for pregnant women. A teaspoon dose twice a day would be alright for children over 8 years old. (The alcohol in that amount is negligable.)

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