Our body has the amazing ability to run efficiently if we give it what it needs and don't give it what it doesn't need. Americans are notorious for giving bodies too much of what they don't need . . . toxins from our foods, our lifestyle, and our environment. Usually our body's detoxification systems (the liver, skin, bowels, and kidneys) do a good job of cleaning all this "stuff" out. However, if we overload with too many toxins, the body's systems fail (any filtering system fails when too much is put in).

Some symptoms of a body overtaxed with toxins include: skin problems, eye problems and degenerative eyesight, chronic constipation, cysts and benign lumps, sleep problems, and fatigue or lethargy.

Natural healing used to detoxify a person first (using a variety of drastic methods such as colon cleanses, strict diets, or fasting). Most Americans, however, are so mal-nutriented, they are unprepared to undergo cleansing. Chinese and Ayurvedic practices find it far better and more effective to restore strength and nutrition first, then gently detoxify the body.

Strategies to detoxify include: increasing fiber/quality of foods in diet, enhancing the work of the kidneys/liver/bowels with herbs and/or supplements, increasing water intake, increasing exercise, and enhancing sleep. However, any cleansing and detoxifying should only be done with the aid of a competent natural health professional.