Detox

By Debra Markert

I recently took a holiday to Portland, Oregon.  I stumbled upon a café filled with inspirational spiritual messages and quotes.  One quote, in particular, stood out and really struck me:  If You Don’t Take Care of Your Body, Where Will You Live?

            So, I got to thinking.  And, the harsh truth that I am not taking care of my body set in.  In fact, I borderline abuse it.  I don’t exercise regularly, my day is spent in front of a computer, and I like to drink…a lot.

           I began to research different detoxification diets, different ways to release twenty-eight years of bodily abuse.  I spoke with an herbalist.  I looked online.  I asked people who had done similar diets.  And, I came up with something that would work for me.  For fourteen days, I would eliminate items such as coffee, alcohol, sugar, wheat, and soy (I’m Vegetarian); replacing them with foods like fresh juice, rice, vegetables, and fruit.  With the herbalist’s help, I was also able to purchase detox teas, detox bath salts, and other appropriate liver-supporting supplements (ex: milk thistle and dandelion root) and detoxing aids (ex: bentonite clay).  I expected this to solely be a physical experience; I was not prepared for the emotional change that would accompany. 

DAY ONE:  Struggled through the bentonite clay and flax seed routine.  Went through major caffeine withdrawals.  Since I could not take Tylenol or other pain relievers, I went to bed at 6pm with an icepack on my head.

DAY TWO:  The classic, “don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone” came into full effect.  I craved everything from pickles to potato chips to ice cream.  The reality that I cannot choose my own food for another thirteen days really hit home.

DAY THREE:  Cravings stopped.  I no longer looked longingly at my coffee maker each morning.  Extremely tired, though.  Went to bed around 7pm.

DAY FOUR:  No cravings, no problems.  Still tired, and went to bed freakishly early again.

DAY FIVE:  Still no cravings, and energy levels seemed higher.  I managed to go to a bar with friends and wasn’t tempted to sip their beers or steal fries from their appetizer plates.  Even the bentonite and flax seeds are welcomed rituals.

DAY SIX:  No cravings, and no problems.  However, insomnia became a factor.  Perhaps I had gotten too much sleep the previous nights.  Perhaps my new-found energy needed to be spent.  Went out to the living room and sat on the couch reflecting and meditating, trying to put myself to sleep.  Instead, I burst into tears.  I cried and cried and cried until around 2am.

DAY SEVEN:  Woke up with a serious pain in my side.  I convinced myself that I slept wrong, but in retrospect, it was liver pain.  I couldn’t get comfortable anywhere, or in any position.  So, I stayed at home and alternated naps with short jogs.  Still no cravings, still no headaches, just liver pain. 

DAY EIGHT:  Crying, crying, and more crying!  I woke up crying.  I got ready for work crying.  I drove to work crying.  I cried at my desk.  Often, I’d have to excuse myself and go cry in the bathroom, where my face would contort and my shoulders would shake.  Regained a bit of composure around 1pm, which lasted through the night.  Liver still hurt, but not nearly as bad.

            DAY NINE:  More crying off and on.  More liver pain.

DAY TEN:  Emotional rollercoaster came to an end.  I felt amazing!  I felt refreshed.  Calm.  Aware.  But, despite the mental comfort, my liver continued to throb.

DAY ELEVEN:  Still felt wonderful…except for the splitting pain in my side.

DAY TWELVE:  Felt great, and the liver pain started to lessen.

DAY THIRTEEN:  Same as Day Twelve.  Pain in my side decreased even more.

DAY FOURTEEN:  Began to have feelings of regret that the detox was ending.  I even felt disgusted that I might return to my prior eating habits, and sad that I would no longer be taking the herbal remedies.  But, all good things must come to an end. 

The long and short of it is this.  We all abuse ourselves, either directly or indirectly.  Processed food, fast food, junk food, canned food, pesticides, animal hormones, alcohol, concentrated juice, soda, soap, detergent, and air are just a few of the things that affect our bodies on a daily basis.  We all deserve a cleanse.  We all deserve a detox.

To be honest, I did not think that I would be able to go fourteen days without coffee.  But, you know what, I’m over a week off my detox, and coffee still doesn’t sound good.  I’ve lost my taste.  Same with junk food.  I’m still eating foods from the diet, even though I am free to devour whatever I choose.  And, emotionally, I feel like a new person.  My concentration level is higher.  My energy level has increased. I feel so peaceful, so aware, so calm, and so intuitive. I feel like I am on a higher plane.  (In fact, I spent a great portion of Day Ten through Fourteen simply reflecting on life and the decisions that have gotten me to the point I am today.  I decided life is like a book, and each chapter is so distinct.  Sometimes the chapters are so different that they barely relate to one another, their only link being the “main character” in the story.  What chapters are yet to be written in my book?)  Those who were around me during the two weeks were also amazed at the transformation, and several commented about how “relaxed” I seemed.

I cannot say enough good things about my experience with this diet.  Not only do I feel wonderful physically, but mentally and spiritually I’m at the top of my game.  It sounds odd, but having to concentrate on ingredients and what you’re placing in your body really heightens your awareness of life in general.  While I prepared food, I would reflect on the grain, and the fields, the farmer, and on down the line until my plate; since all the food was natural and organic, it was easy to imagine each step in the process.  I would “talk” to my body and encourage it to filter and purge.  I would then “talk” to it to encouraging it to rejuvenate with healthy cells.  I became aware of myself.  I became conscious of myself.  If You Don’t Take Care of Your Body, Where Will You Live?

Some days were incredibly rough, and some days were downright painful (on a side note, the liver pain and crying were both completely natural), but the end result was definitely worth it.  I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone.  Here is a list to more information, including commonly asked questions, a food list, and a sample menu.  I hope that you consider doing this at some point.  I know I’ll be doing it twice a year from here on out!

            http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/dietarytherapy/a/Detox_Diet.htm