Herbal Weight Loss -Lesson 1, Cleansing and Detox
Thursday, May 19th 2011 @ 2:06 AM (not yet rated)
Is your liver functioning properly?
What about your colon and kidneys?
How does your skin look?
It's difficult to lose weight if the body's detoxification systems aren't working properly. These systems include the liver, kidneys, colon and skin.
Effective weight loss begins by cleansing these systems so your body is operating at a cleaner level. It's no different than giving your vehicle a tune-up so that it operates better.
So you need to do the same thing with your body.
IMPORTANT: Before doing a cleanse, check with your doctor to determine if using cleansing herbs is right for you.
Good nutrition with healthy foods is in the right proportions is very important for weight loss.
Healthy weight loss begins with 3 steps.
1. Focus on healthy proteins - lean chicken, fish, nuts and seeds, soy and eggs.
2. Reduce or eliminate breads, cereals and pasta - particularly gluten containing foods.
3. Eliminate simple sugars - white sugar and additives like glucose, fructose, dextrose and corn syrup.
4. Use healthy fats like olive oil ,hemp oil and avocado. These fats help satisfy the body.
Detox and Cleansing Herbs
These herbs include dandelion, burdock root, cascara sagrada and senna.
Dandelion:
The root of this herb stimulates the flow of bile, which helps to eliminate waste and toxins from the and metabolize fat from the body due to a sluggish liver. It is also a diuretic, which will be covered in the next lesson.
Black Walnut:
This herb (Juglans nigra) is a rich source of the trace mineral chromium, which increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin. This is key to enhancing weight loss. Without chromium, the action of insulin is block, thermogensis is slowed and blood sugar levels are elevated.
Black Walnut is classified as an astringent by herbalists because it is rich in tannin, a toning substance. As an astringent, black walnut helps protect the body from harmful agents, such as parasites.
Black walnut works as a laxative similar to cascara sagrada, but on a much more subtle level. Black Walnut's is famed in folk medicine for its cleansing properties.
Cascara Sagrada: This herb is a strong laxative as it contains natural chemicals that stimulate intestinal contractions. As it helps with constipation and is part of some cleansing programs, it can help with weight loss. However, it should not be used any longer than two weeks as over time it can cause lazy bowel syndrome. Black walnut is considered a better choice.
To Try: Take dandelion as a tea, tablet or in tincture. Black walnut and cascara sagrada are best taken as part of a herbal cleansing formula.
Contraindications:
Dandelion may increase stomach acidity and ulcer pain.
Avoid if you have gallstones or biliary tract obstructions.
Dandelion should not be used as a substitute for pharmaceutical diuretics for hypertension.
People with known allergies to related plants, such as chamomile and yarrow, should use dandelion with caution.
Dandelion also should be avoided during antibiotic treatment as it may lessen the effect.
