Protocol for a Proper Cleanse / Detoxification

Are you curious about doing a cleanse but don't know the proper protocol? Or have you been doing cleanses for years and like to read up on the latest pieces of information? Either way, you will learn new tips from the following...

During a cleanse, your intake should consist of the following:

Freshly juiced, green vegetables: Juice or blend vegetables such as kale, spinach, parsley, celery, cucumber, broccoli, wheat grass, cabbage, barley grass and collard greens. In addition, drink 8 to 12 glasses (8 ounce) per day, in addition to 64 ounces to one gallon of water. Here is an example of what vegetables you can use: 1 cucumber, 1 stalk celery, 1/3 bunch parsley, a handful of alfalfa sprouts and some spinach. Add ginger to spice things up and aid digestion. It is advisable to use organic fruits and vegetables during a cleanse as they are not sprayed with pesticides.

Raw, pureed soups: Raw soups help the body combat toxins and are anti-fungal. Ingredients like garlic, onion, green vegetables and vegetable broth are detoxifying and increase the effectiveness of a cleanse. Raw soups supply energy in a form that is easy for the body to utilize; it does not have to expend energy to obtain it during digestion. It is recommended to have one to two bowls of soup a day during your cleanse.

Essential Oils: Oils such as Primrose, Flax Seed, Borage, Olive Oil, or a blend such as Udo’s Choice, Perfected Oil Blend can be added to juices and soups. The recommended amount is 2-3 tablespoons a day.

Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne pepper helps break up mucus and increases healthy blood flow. It also is a good source of vitamin B and vitamin C.

Sea Salt: Taking a laxative will speed up the detox process, helping your body eliminate waste. You can use sea salt, which cleanses the colonic tract without the harmful effects of colonics and enemas. Drinking 1 teaspoon of unrefined non-iodized sea salt mixed with 25-35 ounces of water will flush out your system.

Recommended Schedule
7:00 a.m. 1 quart water with lemon juice*, sea salt and cayenne pepper
8:00 a.m. Freshly juiced greens and capsules
9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 1 ½ quarts water
1:00 p.m. Soup or juice
2:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. 1 ½ quarts water
5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Exercise
6:00 p.m. Soup or juice
7:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. Water with lemon juice* and cayenne pepper
9:00 p.m. Yoga poses

*The lemon juice used must be fresh squeezed. This cannot be emphasized enough. Canned juice reverses the benefits of a cleanse.

During a cleanse, the blood is dirtier than when you began. This can make you feel worse, increasing detox symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, headaches, fatigue and runny nose. These symptoms are a sign that toxins are being expelled from the body and eliminated through mucus and wastes. The most important thing to do when you have these symptoms is to hydrate the body with water and green vegetable juices. You want toxins to exit your body, helping to decrease some of the uncomfortable side effects.

Each individual’s body responds differently to cleanses. Therefore, you must decide how many days to follow a cleanse. Generally, a 7 to 10 day cleanse is recommended. This ensures that the body has rid itself of harmful toxins and adequately cleansed the system.

Exiting the Cleanse

Take care of your body as you exit the cleanse. It is a good idea to slowly introduce foods back into your diet, especially vegetables and fruits.

Day One: You should still only consume liquids. Start drinking orange juice and a lot of water. Drink slowly and let it settle. Orange juice is good for helping the body to adjust back to digesting regular food.

Day Two: Continue drinking a lot of water and orange juice. Add in light soups. Use vegetable soup, which is healthy and very light. You can introduce rye wafers into your diet, as it is easy on the stomach.

Day Three: Continue drinking plenty of water. Add fruits, vegetables and salad into your dinner.

Day Four and On: Continue drinking plenty of water. Ease yourself back into a normal diet. Let your stomach calibrate itself. Avoid meat, milk, sugar, coffee and fattening food. It is challenging in the beginning to not eat these foods but as time goes on your body will crave healthy food. It is recommended to take probiotics AFTER you finish breaking your cleanse to replace the good bacteria you lose when you clean your colon thoroughly. These good bacteria manufacture vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B12, and K and help control bad bacteria, such as Candida.