Colon cleansing and detoxification (also known as cleansing, cleaning, internal cleansing, internal cleaning, detoxing, detoxifying and “spring cleaning”) are important natural health regimens that help improve a person’s overall health and wellness. In our age, when toxic chemicals are easily found in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink and bathe in, and the products that we use in our homes and offices, the need for detoxification is paramount.
Our innate detoxification organs certainly do their best to neutralize toxins and escort them from our bodies, but they can get swiftly overwhelmed by the sheer volume of pollution that we are exposed to on a daily basis. When this happens, vital organs and systems become compromised, leading to poor health. This is true, for example, where our nervous system and glands are concerned.
Some colon cleansing and detoxification programs pull “double duty” by incorporating the powerful use of natural herbs; as they exert their effects on your colon and aid detoxification, they also positively affect your body in other ways. Indeed, some herbs can have positive health effects on your nerves and glands, helping to address related health concerns while they assist in the internal cleansing process. Here are some herbs to watch for, as they can be powerful allies in colon cleansing:
Gentian Root: Largely overlooked in American herbalism, this herb has quite a strong reputation in Germany, where it’s been used as a tonic for centuries. As a “bitter herb”-herbs that have a bitter taste due in large part to their volatile essential oils and other natural components-gentian root stimulates the activity of the body’s glands while also acting on the digestive system by stimulating the appetite, digestion, and the flow of bile.
Chamomile: There are essentially two major types of chamomile, German and Russian, and they are believed to have similar effects upon the body. Chamomile has been used therapeutically for thousands of years and is still widely used in Europe today. It is often used for sleeplessness and anxiety due to its calming effects, but it also treats gastrointestinal conditions such as upset stomach, gas and diarrhea. As another bitter, chamomile stimulates the liver, a vital organ and important part of the body’s natural detoxification system.
Yellow Dock: This herb affects the liver and other organs related to detoxification and metabolism, increasing their ability to strain and purify blood, which in turn supplies the glands with vital nutrients and oxygen. In many countries, this herb is beloved for its blood-purifying effects, which directly contribute to its use for skin ailments, liver and gall bladder ailments, and general glandular inflammation and swelling. To this day, yellow dock is included in blood-purifying preparations all over the world: European and North American countries, and China and India all recognize and utilize this herb’s powerful effects on blood and glandular tissues.