A good practice to engage in is regular detoxification. Some find this is beneficial annually, some semi-annually, and some even monthly. Some of the best foods and herbs to help detoxify the system are as follows:
Best Detoxifying Herbs
- Garlic – blood cleanser, lowers blood fats, natural antibiotic, antiviral, antiparasitic.
- Red Clover Blossoms – blood cleanser, hormone balancer, good during convalescence and healing.
- Echinacea – lymph cleanser, improves lymphocyte and phagocyte actions, immunity supporter, antimicrobial.
- Dandelion Root – liver and blood cleanser, diuretic, filters toxins, a tonic.
- Cayenne Pepper – blood and tissue purifier, increases fluid elimination and sweat, a natural stimulant.
- Ginger Root – stimulates circulation and sweating, relieves congestion.
- Licorice Root – the "great detoxifier," biochemical balancer, mild laxative.
- Yellow Dock Root – skin, blood, and liver cleanser, contains vitamin C and Iron.
- Burdock Root – skin and blood cleanser, diuretic and diaphoretic, improves liver function, antibacterial and antifungal properties.
- Sarsaparilla Root – blood and lymph cleanser, contains saponins which reduce microbes and toxins.
- Parsley Leaf -- diuretic, flushes kidneys.
- Goldenseal Root -- blood, liver, kidney, and skin cleanser, stimulates detoxification.
Best Detoxifying Fruits and Vegetables
Lemon is a well-known detoxifyer and is used to cleanse the liver and gallbladder, relieve allergies, asthma, and colds and to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD). Citrus fruits, in general, are used to prevent cardiovascular disease and obesity and heal hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Pineapple is used to treat allergies, arthritis, inflammation, edema, hemorrhoids, and as a vermifuge. Apples detoxify the liver and intestines. Grapes specifically target the colon and they are also helpful for anemia. Papaya also has avery healing effect on the digestive system, in general, specifically for the stomach and also useful for healing colitis, indigestion, and hemorrhoids. Another very useful detoxifying fruit is watermelon. It is used to cleanse the kidneys and reduce edema. Black cherry has been used specifically for the menstrual system, the colon and gout.
Some of the best vegetables for detoxification are greens, especially spinach and beet greens, which are used for CVD, skin, eczema, digestive problems, anemia, obesity, gallbladder, liver, osteoporosis, and to freshen the breath. Parsley has long been known to be a breath freshener. It also helps relieve water retention and arthritis. Watercress is used to relieve and prevent colds and anemia. Cabbage and cruciferous vegetables are used to treat colitis and ulcers. Carrots have long been known to help the eyes. They also are used for arthritis and osteoporosis. Wheatgrass also helps anemia, liver, intestines, and bad breath. Beets are a blood and liver cleanser. They also help with menstrual problems and arthritis. Celery has been used for the kidneys, diabetes and osteoporosis. Jerusalem Artichokes, cucumbers and garlic are all useful for combatting diabetes. Cucumbers relieve water retention, also. Radishes cleanse the liver and also fight obesity and high fats. Potatoes are good for the intestines, and specifically, for ulcers.
The Best Immunity-Boosting Herbs
The best medicinal herbs for building up the immune system and fighting off infection are garlic, echinacea, dandelion root, wild oregano and goldenseal. Garlic is probably the best all around immunity-booster and infection fighter. Echinacea has anti-microbial effects. Oregano has been found to be useful for fighting off sinus infections. Goldenseal is useful for treating throat infections.
Herbs For Colds, Flu and Fevers/Aches and Pains
Sometimes illnesses attack and getting sick can’t be avoided. Having a supply of medicinal herbs on hand can come in handy when battling a cold or flu. Following are some of the most readily available herbs, most of which can be gathered and used fresh or stored for future use by drying or making into tinctures.
- Yarrow - reduces fever, relieves cold symptoms, relieves aches and pains, relieves hay fever and pollen based allergies.
- Feverfew - relieves muscle aches and pains, headaches, anti-inflammatory.
- Elder Flowers - used to relieve cold and flu symptoms, anti-catarrhal, relieves inflamed mucus membranes.
- Daisy - cough reliever, anti-catarrhal.
- Dock - blood purifier.
- St. John’s Wort - anti-inflammatory.
- Mullein Oil - used to treat ear infections.
- Ginger Root - stimulates circulation, helps to sweat out a fever, relieves congestion and nausea.
- Cinnamon - relieves sore throat, chills, nausea.
