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Herbal Cleansing
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It’s time to look at herbal cleansing when the body is choked up with poisons from our lifestyle.
To detox or not to detox is no longer the question; instead, people have to decide what to detox first.
Do you need to decontaminate your liver, clean out your gut, or clear away cholesterol?
Each worthy goal for herbal cleansing can be accomplished using herbs and supplements.
Here's a brief herb guide to some of the best nature herbs.
Alcohol Detoxification: Milk Thistle
Milk thistle seeds contain three components, collectively known as silymarin, that have a remarkable ability to protect and heal the liver to aid in herbal cleansing. European studies, including a Swiss report in the journal Drugs and an investigation at the University of Vienna, have shown that the herb aids the treatment of alcoholic cirrhosis, extends the survival rates of alcoholics, and speeds recovery from hepatitis.
Plus, milk thistle works better than mainstream medicine against amanita ("death cap") mushroom poisoning; analyzing 452 cases, Swiss researchers found that 18 percent of those who received standard treatment died, compared with only 10 percent of patients given silymarin.
"Anyone who drinks alcohol and takes medication regularly might benefit from milk thistle," declares James Duke, Ph.D., retired botanist for the United States Department of Agriculture.
The typical recommended dose is 140 milligrams of silymarin three times a day during periods when the liver is stressed from the use of drugs or alcohol or when liver enzymes are elevated.
Side effects are rare, but headache, stomach distress, nausea, hives, itching, and joint pain are possible.
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Artichoke Herb For Detoxification
Because artichoke is closely related botanically to milk thistle, its leaves offer similar protection in herbal cleansing. "Artichokes are not as beneficial to the liver as milk thistle," Duke says. "But if you enjoy eating them, some liver benefits are an added bonus." As well as being a source of folic acid, fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, artichokes contain cynarin, an acid that aids hepatic function, plus a cleansing compound called inulin. The herb may also reduce cholesterol synthesis in the liver.
Artichoke leaf extract is found in some liver-detox formulas. Some formulas combine artichoke leaf with milk thistle seed, selenium, dandelion root, green tea leaf, and other purifying ingredients. (It's taken in conjunction with a formula of ayurvedic herbs to support liver function.)
Liver Detoxification Herb: Eleuthero
Also known as Siberian ginseng, this adaptogen stimulates the immune system and increases energy levels. It has a long tradition of use in China as a general tonic with a protective effect against toxins. According to a Korean study, the polysaccharides in the stems of eleuthero enhance liver function and reduce levels of enzymes and other factors linked to liver disease. In animal studies reported in the British Journal of Phytotherapy, eleuthero tempered the effects of a number of toxins, including ethanol and tetanus.
And research in Russia indicates that the herb may help the body withstand the effects of chemotherapy.
Eleuthero can be taken for detoxification following the use of liver-stressing medications like statins or when liver enzymes are high.
The typical dose is up to 3 grams of dry root per day for up to a month or up to 16 milliliters of extract one to three times daily for up to two months. Eleuthero is also available in formulas.
Side effects, while uncommon, may include drowsiness, anxiety, irritability, headache, and depression. Those who are pregnant, nursing, feverish, or hypertensive should avoid eleuthero.
Colon Cleansing Herb: Psyllium
This supplement, from the seed of the plantago or plantain plant, is safe for GI herbal cleansing. The word psyllium is from the Greek for flea, referring to the seed's tiny size. But when placed in water, psyllium's outer coat swells like a sponge into a thick, gelatinous material called mucilage, which is a form of soluble fiber.
In the colon, psyllium adds bulk to stools, which then press against the colon wall, triggering nerves that signal the urge to go; the water taken with psyllium also softens stools and lubricates their passage.
A number of studies have confirmed psyllium's effectiveness. Nebraska scientists showed that the herb provides significant relief from constipation and reduces pain during defecation, while a report from Procter & Gamble researchers found that psyllium works better than docusate sodium, the active ingredient in Colace, an OTC stool softener.
Because bulk-forming laxatives most closely approximate the body's own mechanisms, psyllium is a "recommended choice for most forms of constipation," according to the American Pharmaceutical Association.
The usual dose is about 7-5 grams per day. To avoid blockage, it's important to take psyllium with 8 to 12 ounces of water followed by more water throughout the day, says Linda B. White, M.D., co-author of The Herbal Drugstore.
Psyllium, which is safe to use long term, is available as a powder or capsules under numerous labels; it's also the active ingredient in Metamucil.
Herb Supplement: Goldenseal
Used medicinally by Native Americans, goldenseal has an active compound called berberine, which has demonstrated powerful antimicrobial action in lab studies (though it's not easily absorbed). University of Illinois researchers found that goldenseal inhibits the growth of H. pylori, the bacterium behind most ulcers.
Other studies indicate its value in treating giardiasis and infectious diarrhea.
Goldenseal causes no significant side effects, though long-term use can be expensive. Many herbalists recommend it only for symptoms of persistent intestinal distress. For herbal cleansing take 2 to 4 mL tincture or o.3 to 1 mL fluid extract.
Constipation Relieving Herb: Aloe
Many herbs have laxative action. Aloe, buckthorn, cascara, and senna all contain anthraquinones, compounds that chemically stimulate the colon. But they can also cause abdominal distress, cramps, and diarrhea. In addition, extended use may result in "laxative dependency syndrome," an inability to go without them.
In 2002 the FDA banned laxative drug claims for over-the-counter products containing aloe and cascara.
"But these herbs may still be found in supplements that do not claim laxative action," explains Mark Blumenthal, executive director of the American Botanical Council, in Austin, Texas. "They are labeled as intestinal cleansers or detoxifiers for promotion of bowel health."
To try these herbs for herbal cleansing, buy a commercial preparation and follow the label directions. Use only occasionally for relief of constipation that does not respond to other approaches, such as psyllium or exercise.
FYI, the laxative portion of aloe is the solid residue that resides beneath the skin, not the leaf-derived gel commonly used to treat minor burns.
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