Learning Center > What is a Cleanse?

A cleanse or detox program is a series of steps designed to assist the body with the removal of toxins in order to function more efficiently and enhance overall physical health and mental clarity.Cleansing supports and strengthens the body’s natural functions of toxin removal such as elimination (bowel movement and urination), sweating, skin sloughing, lymphatic drainage and even breathing.

These built-in systems of detoxification work together to keep us healthy, and it is imperative to keep them functioning properly. When one part of the system is over-worked and out of balance, the entire system suffers.

There are many cleansing methods available, and many complementary and preventative activities to enhance these methods before, during and after a cleanse. Combining detox activities is a great way to incorporate your cleanse into a way of life; after the cleanse is completed, these activites can be part of your daily routine to keep your body clean and balanced.

For example, many cleanses focus on a change in diet or ingestion of special herbs and juices; this can be complemented by other detox activities such as dry skin brushing, sauna, or massage, and by preventative measures such as using tap water filters and shower filters, and reducing exposure to toxic chemicals in personal care products.

Most cleanses involve flushing the system with fluids. Fiber and psyllium husk is also frequently used to help clean the digestive tract. This is important to many Westerners who live a highly acidic life that takes a toll on their digestive tracts (stress, coffee, alcohol, meat, refined foods and minimal and impure water intake, etc.)

Some cleanses focus on specific organs such as the colon, liver, kidneys, or skin, while other cleanses attempt to clear the entire body at once. Some last a few days, some can last for months.

Many times, the colon and kidneys are flushed before cleansing the liver and the blood; this helps ensure that the toxins that are being removed from the liver have a clean exit path, and do not recirculate into the body.

After cleansing the colon and kidneys, the liver and gallbladder, and then blood are usually cleansed in that order.

Again, there are many types of cleanses to choose from, and choosing the modality of cleansing that best supports your unique needs and your long-term goals is important.

What can I expect during a cleanse?

Undertaking a cleanse, and changing to a non-toxic lifestyle, is a major life event! You are taking time to support your own personal goals, making your body and your health the highest priority in your life.

Taking this time to yourself will help everyone around you, whether or not they realize it. This journey is part of an upward spiral that will have a powerful ripple effect on your life and those around you; observe other parts of your life become detoxed and healthier as you progress with your physical cleanse. You may find it easier to communicate as your mental clarity and inner strength return. You may find that you no longer need to hold on to old emotions that were bogging you down and being satiated by potato chips or alcohol.

You may find that as your energy and vitality return, you have more interest in your work or rediscover your zest for life. And you may find that others look at you differently – your newfound clarity will be visible.

Many who participate in a cleanse and continue with a non-toxic lifestyle report similar experiences such as the following:
Increased energy and stamina
Relief from joint pain and arthritis
Return to regular bowel activity
Weight Loss (frequently 10+ lbs)
Mental clarity
Spiritual clarity
Less hungry (due to better absorption of food)
Glowing skin

The best way to support yourself on this journey is to plan. The more prepared you are for the journey, the more you will get out of it.

Part of planning is being aware of something called the “healing crisis.” In the early stage of a cleanse, some people feel sick or tired for several days and even have symptoms of a flu (joint aches, gas, constipation or diarrhea, fatigue, etc.) as the toxins exit their storage state and are released into the blood stream to be flushed from the body once and for all.

Though it may seem like the cleanse is not working, the healing crisis is proof that it is working.

Planning for this possibility includes setting the right date to begin the cleanse – usually a Friday or Saturday, so that you can rest over the weekend.

During this time it is crucial to continue flushing the toxins out with purified water and to stick to your cleanse routine. Continuing may seem difficult, but the level of energy and clarity you will feel after you push through the initial discomfort is well worth it.