A healthy body is clean and lean

1.    According to some natural health experts, most people carry excess undigested fecal matter in their colon. The sooner they begin to eliminate it, the better they feel. And when it comes to weight loss, the weight lost through the elimination of fecal matter is weight permanently lost.

2.    Each organ that eliminates waste in the body, can be cleansed. The primary organs that detoxify the body are the skin, colon, liver, kidneys, blood and lymphatics. Body wrap experts report that when cleansing formulas for the liver are started a few days before the body wrap, the inches lost increases at least 20%.

3.    Cleansing formulas often contain herbs and supplements that support the organ that’s being cleansed. Some formulas add herbs or supplements that may contribute to weight loss, such as berberine and green tea.

4.    Our body accumulates chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals or other poisons in fat cells throughout the body. It’s believed that the greater the accumulation of these toxins in the body, the harder it is for the fat cell to break down. That’s one reason why it’s difficult to lose weight.

5.    Cleansing formulas may also contain herbal blends to improve the function of the kidneys, GI tract, gall bladder and liver. This can indirectly assist in weight loss by creating a more healthy system overall.

6.    Cleansing always requires drinking more water than what is usually drank during the day. Experts recommend as little as 1 ounce for every 2 pounds of body weight and as much as 1 ounce for every 1 pound body weight.

7.    When cleansing, it’s important to start detoxifying the skin or colon before any other organ, even though liver cleanses may facilitate greater weight loss.

This is because toxins released from the liver will have no open route to leave the body. They end up getting re-circulated throughout the body, causing headaches, joint aches and pains, fatigue and skin breakouts. Always cleanse the skin or colon first!

Susan Weed, well-known herbalist, reports that chickweed may have a regulating effect on the thyroid, which can definitely assist with weight loss. She thinks of it as a metabolic balancer. The saponins in chickweed emulsify the fat cells, assisting in their breakdown.

It’s especially valuable in purifying and cleansing the system. Because of its positive benefits on the skin, chickweed has been used for centuries both inside and out. It’s excellent for acne, redness associated with the skin, eczema, rashes and hives including measles, boils, and contagious lung disorders and bronchitis.

The herb is safe enough to be used with babies and even a weak tea will help alleviate cases of constipation. The herb is also used in cases of hemorrhoids.

Chickweed is often considered a garden pest and grows everywhere in the world including doorsteps on homes in the city. It was eaten in olden times as a soup, salad and put in stews or in pot roasts as an herb.

• calcium          • magnesium          • silicon
• chromium     • manganese           • sodium
• cobalt              • phosphorus        • tin
• selenium        • zinc

In research studies, calcium, chromium and zinc have been found to have a link to weight loss. Calcium supplements may improve weight loss. Chromium deficiency is tied to blood sugar irregularities that can create the “munchies” and drive people to the refrigerator, vending machines and fast food restaurants as if they are mindless zombies. Zinc deficiency can cause appetite loss that interferes with eating regular meals and results in the person eating only one meal per day, thus gaining more weight.

The mineral content of hydrangea can potentially assist in the creation of a lot of benefits and there are other active ingredients in the herb. Hydrangea also has appreciable amounts of rutin and quercetin, two components of the vitamin C complex. One research study found greater antioxidant power and liver cleansing properties than the combination of milk thistle and turmeric. (Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 2003)

Hydrangea has been used historically as a kidney cleansing herb. When used with other herbs, it helps dissolve kidney stones.  It may also have diuretic properties.