detoxifying herbs
Chronic disease is created by the body’s inability to cleanse itself of toxins such as pesticides, herbicides, preservatives, and radiation. This pollution is the result of air, water and food contamination.
The skin, kidneys, intestines, and liver are the cleansing organs of the body. Cleaning is facilitated by daily elimination, plenty of water, brushing the skin, regular physical exercise and a good diet.
Cleansing herbs correct the digestive functions of the body. Common cleansing herbs are: carqueja, fedegosa, dandelion, burdock and garlic. Milk thistle, picrorhiza, carqueja or fedegoso are good for treating liver ailments, while Ayurvedic practitioners use Phyllanthus amarus and Triphala to maintain proper liver function and gastrointestinal health.
Carqueja, has 400 species including Baccharis genistelloides, B. triptera and B. trimera. The carqueja is found throughout the Amazon rainforest of Peru, Brazil, and Colombia, as well as in the tropical parts of Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Carqueja is used as a liver and gallbladder purge to support the healthy function of the digestive system. Carqueja also treats malaria, diabetes, stomach ulcers, sore throat and tonsillitis, angina, anemia, diarrhea, indigestion, dropsy, urinary inflammation, kidney disorders, intestinal worms, leprosy, and poor blood circulation. Carqueja is so effective because of the flavonoids that contain liver protective properties.
Fedegoso Senna occidentalis/Cassia occidentalis, has medicinal properties with its roots used as a diuretic against fevers. Fedegoso seeds are brewed to treat asthma and fedegoso flower is used against bronchitis.
Fedegoso roots are used for fevers, menstrual problems, tuberculosis, anemia, liver ailments, and as a tonic for weakness and general illness. Fedegoso leaves are used to treat gonorrhea, fevers, urinary tract disorders, edema, and menstrual problems.
Fresh/dried crushed fedegoso leaf tea is applied externally for skin conditions, wounds, skin fungus, parasitic skin diseases, and abscesses. A decoction of the fresh fedegoso plant is used against constipation in babies. The leaf tea is used for stomach cramps; The crushed fresh leaves of fedegoso are taken to expel intestinal worms and parasites.
Other cleansing herbs include dandelion (Taraxacum officinali) which is yellow and a member of the Compositae family. Its root and leaves are used as cleansing herbs, being rich in bitterness, vitamin C, potassium and enzymes that stimulate the liver, helping the correct digestion of fats and its diuretic properties that stimulate kidney function. Burdock is a member of the Composite family that helps cleanse the body and is especially good for dry skin issues. It is also a medicine for premature baldness, rheumatism, arthritis, and acne. Garlic (Allium sativum) stimulates bile and is one of the herbs that cleanses the blood.
Milk thistle also has a cleansing effect on the liver. Increases tissue regeneration in the liver. Treats hepatitis, cirrhosis and fatty liver. It is also effective against inflammation of the gallbladder and bile ducts by increasing the flow of bile from the gallbladder. Phyllanthus amarus is remarkably effective against hepatitis B carrier cells. Triphala, also known as Trifal, is a combination of Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica, and Phyllanthus emblica. improves both digestion and elimination without irritating the intestines.