A Homemade Body Cleanse

How to Cleanse Your Body Naturally
for A Fresh Start

A homemade body cleanse is a great way to create a fresh start for you and your skin! Learning how to cleanse your body naturally is a simple way to rejuvenate your body and support your overall health and wellness.

Cleansing can also be beneficial for those who are struggling with chronic skin problems or allergies.

There are many different approaches to do doing a whole body cleanse. some people choose cleansing programs with herbs and fiber blends, or a series of colonic irrigation sessions.

I prefer a simple, natural and affordable method whenever possible. I've found that performing a whole body cleanse using certain foods and juices can help to clear the toxins and harmful chemicals from our bodies without the need for expensive programs and supplements.

Homemade Body Cleanse - The Facts About Most Lifestyles

Many of us are living toxic lifestyles whether we realize it or not. We're stressed, we eat on the go, (which creates more difficulty digesting our foods) AND we eat foods we shouldn't eat.

We are breathing more chemicals in the air than ever before, and the pesticides used to treat our foods and water are causing more health problems than ever. As a result, our body organs can become overloaded, which then makes it more difficult for us to be healthy.

Did you know that our skin is the bodies largest organ? When our bodies are filled with toxins, our organs of elimination become stressed out and sluggish. The body begins to eliminate toxins through the skin, which results in blemishes, and dull, lifeless looking skin.

When our bodies are not functioning optimally, they can also produce more metabolic toxins which add to the stress that our bodies are under. Metabolic toxins are natural by products of normal cellular processes, but they become more problematic when they build up, which can happen for many reasons such as poor digestion, stress, or illness.

If you are struggling with skin issues, a cleanse may help you see positive results in your skin's appearance.

Homemade Body Cleanse - When Should You NOT Cleanse?

Now, cleansing is NOT for everyone. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, very sick, or feeling very weakened or depleted, then doing a homemade body cleanse is likely not the best choice right now.

Some people who are very depleted first need their energy reserves built up, before their bodies have the capability to effectively detoxify.

If you have medical or health issues, if you smoke or take medications, I HIGHLY recommend that you consult with a naturopathic doctor, acupuncturist or holistic medical doctor.

They can advise you on the best way to cleanse and detoxify without creating more stress for your body.

Homemade Body Cleanse - Where to Start

So many times in today's stressful world, it is easy to ignore our body's signals. Our bodies may be telling us to rest more, to go a little slower, or to eat a little healthier, but we may find it difficult to take the time to listen.

OR, we may feel so upset and stressed out that we crave the comfort of eating junk food, coffee or other less than healthy choices.

Sometimes it is a long process to really understanding what our bodies need and how we can give ourselves what we need. Whole body cleansing can help us to take a break from our usual habits, to clear out the old and make space for the new in our lives.

We are whole beings, and what we think and feel affects our bodies, as much as what we actually do for them. If we are feeling miserable, depressed and upset, it is more difficult to make positive choices.

It is SO important to be gentle with ourselves, and to do what we can to pay attention to what our bodies are telling us. We are each so beautifully unique, and the foods that are nourishing for one person may not be the best choices for another.

I personally find it difficult to think about cleansing when I feel really terrible, even if I know I need it. During times like this, I find a little extra support makes a huge difference. A gentle herbal cleanse like Detox Drops is simple to use and helps to clear the body without creating too intense of a release.

Sometimes you might be in a situation where you feel extremely toxic and you need more than just a cleansing diet. If you've been in a situation where you are eating a lot of junk food, or exposed to a lot of chemicals, you might need a more intensive cleanse.

I have found colon cleansing to be incredibly helpful in these kinds of situations. The key is to find a gentle method that provides support without being too intense. I recommend that you start slowly to minimize any discomfort. See below for our recommendations.

The Benefits of a Homemade Body Cleanse

One of the best things about doing a simple cleanse at home is that you can use natural foods, and simply by eating more of the healthier foods, and less of heavier foods or foods that have more toxins, you will be able to give your body a much needed time of rest and rejuvenation.

Now, why would anyone want to do a cleanse? Here are some of the benefits you may experience.

• Eliminates undigested food and toxins from the body
• Stimulates the body's elimination systems
• Cleanses not only the digestive system but all systems of the body
• Afterwards you may feel more energized
• You may lose weight
• When your body is clean on the inside, the result is often glowing, healthy skin
• The body regains its ability to heal itself

Homemade Body Cleanse - Important Steps to Prepare

It's a good idea to begin to gently and slowly taper off some of the foods that you will be eliminating during your cleanse. This will minimize the discomfort of developing a "detox" or cleansing reaction, which happens when a lot of toxins are eliminated from the body very quickly.

Some common cleansing reactions include feeling tired or achy, headaches, exhaustion, nausea, lightheadedness or skin rashes. Going into your homemade body cleanse at a slower pace will help minimize the possibility of developing a detox reaction.

A week before your cleanse, start tapering down on these foods:

• Animal products such as meat, dairy, milk and cheese
• Sugar
• Salt
• Caffeine
• Alcohol

This is also a good time to take a break from using any kind of personal care, skincare or cosmetics products that contain irritating chemicals that may be hazardous to your health. Please see our Safe Cosmetics Guide for chemicals to avoid.

It is also useful to hold an intention for yourself that your cleanse be a time of rejuvenation and healing, and a fresh start. This intention will actually help your body to get the most from your cleanse.

Homemade Body Cleanse - How It Works

The best way to cleanse is to reduce the amount of toxins coming into your body, and increase the amount of fresh air, water, sunlight and rest that you receive, so that your body's own natural cleansing and detoxification process can happen as effectively as possible.

Our bodies already know how to cleanse themselves, and most of what is needed is for us to "get out of the way" so that our bodies can do what they do best.

If you are using cosmetics, shampoos and skin care products that contain a lot of chemicals and toxins, stop using them during your cleanse.

Another option is to switch to safer skin care products a week or two before your cleanse, which will give your body enough time to adapt to the new products before you enter into the cleansing process.

My free eBook Clear Any Skin Problem Naturally has more information on how to discover how safe all those ingredients are that you are putting on your skin.

Now, rest isn't just lying down at night. Rest also has to do with emotional rest. If you are stressed out, take a break. Watch a funny movie, talk to a trusted friend, or write in your journal. Go out into nature and breathe fresh air, and do everything you can do to be kind to yourself!

Once you go through a homemade body cleanse, it is important to maintain the benefits. I'll also share with you some ways you can maintain the benefits after your cleanse!

Common Foods Eaten During a Homemade Body Cleanse

One of the simplest ways to create your own homemade body cleanse is to simply eat fresh, whole fruits and vegetables for a few days, and to eliminate most other foods.

Here are some of the most common foods recommended during the whole body cleansing process:

• Fresh vegetables
• Fruits
• Pure water
• Fresh raw vegetable and fruit juices

These are easily digested and will help to eliminate the toxins within the body over the 3-4 day period you're performing your homemade body cleanse.

Some of the best foods for cleansing include (but aren't limited to):

• Dark green leafy vegetables
• Avocados
• Tomatoes
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Mangos
• Cantaloupe
• Watermelon
• Honeydew melon
• Bananas
• Acorn or butternut squash
• Zucchini
• Sweet potatoes
• Yukon gold potatoes
• Beets
• Celery
• Carrots
• Nectarines
• Grapes
• Coconut
• Any other fresh veggies that you like!

Beneficial Juices During a Homemade Body Cleanse

• Lemon
• Tomato
• Pear
• Apple
• Papaya
• Peach
• Orange or grapefruit
• Any fruit juice with vegetables added

Some people choose one or more days with just fresh juices. This is a way to further the benefits of your cleanse as it will create a deeper rest for your digestive system.

The most potent and purifying juices are the green juices like kale, lettuce, Swiss chard or parsley. You can also add less intense greens like celery and cucumber, and small amounts of root vegetables like beets or carrots.

If you choose to juice only for a day or two, use no more than 40 or 50% fruit in your juices, to avoid excessive sugar intake.

After a day or two of juicing, be sure to return to the cleanse diet first before stopping your cleanse completely. Remember, easy does it!

Homemade Body Cleanse - The Question of Supplements and Medications

Can you take supplements while cleansing? The natural health practitioners I have worked with recommend that you take whole foods supplements rather than artificially created or synthetic vitamins.

I agree with this from my own experience, as I find so many artificial vitamins simply give me a headache and don't seem to provide any benefit.

I only recently discovered a whole foods supplement that does not give me a headache and which seems to be actually providing some benefit, and that kind of supplement would be OK during a cleanse.

For the question of taking medications, please consult with your doctor or health practitioner. Most people who are taking medications regularly will continue them on their cleanse, however this is something you need to check out with your own practitioner to address your body's unique needs.

Foods to Avoid During Homemade Body Cleanse

The purpose of cleansing is to reduce the stress and toxicity on the body so that it can heal itself more easily. For this reason there are certain foods which produce more toxins in the body, or which are harder to digest, which are not recommended for the period of time when you are doing your cleanse.

• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Processed foods of all kinds
• Artificial colors
• Sugar
• Hydrogenated oils
• Vegetable shortening
• Margarine
• Excessive carbohydrates
• Breads that contain yeast
• Dairy products
• eggs,
• fish,
• shellfish
• chicken
• Pork
• Beef
• Legumes
• Grains
• Wheat
• Gluten
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Refined salt

Recommended Herbal Supports for Your Cleanse

There are some simple and gentle methods you can use to support your homemade body cleanse with herbs. Every body is different and so you will have to see which types of herbs work best for your unique and beautiful self!

These are some of the natural herbal cleanse formulas that I recommend, which are gentle and also effective. They are a good choice for people with sensitive skin, as they contain just a few ingredients, which make it less likely that you will react to one of them.

They are formulated by natural health professionals, and they have a one year return policy so you can try them out, and if they don't work for you, you can easily return them.

Detox Drops are a simple and gentle way to get started in supporting your whole body's elimination systems. It contains several herbs which cleanse the body gently in easy to use drops.

ColoFlush contains several ingredients that help your colon to eliminate more effectively and to release accumulated toxic materials. At the right time, this can be tremendously helpful when you need extra support.

Anger Soothe is a gentle and very helpful homeopathic remedy that can help to let go of old patterns of anger and resentment. Sometimes the release of old emotions can feel unbearable, and at times like this it is helpful to have some extra support.

Emotions During a Cleanse

A homemade body cleanse is a wonderful way to let go of the old and prepare yourself for the new. As your body releases toxins, you may find yourself in touch with past memories or feelings.

You may feel sad, depressed or anxious for no particular reason. Allow these emotions to simply pass through your awareness, without giving them a lot of energy or attention.

The image of a beautiful waterfall can help you to feel at peace even while you may feel emotions from the past that are leaving you.

Our bodies, minds and emotions are deeply connected, and so cleansing your body will also bring cleansing to your emotional life.

After the storm of emotion has passed, you will feel lighter and freer and with a new sense of possibility!

Homemade Body Cleanse - The Importance of Rest

Our bodies need rest when we are moving through our normal daily activities. Rest is extremely important during the time of cleansing to ensure your body can recover sufficiently from day to day. Rest promotes healing in the body and will compliment the work that the vegetables, fruits, juices and water are conducting inside your body.

Even if you are working or busy with your daily activities, schedule five or ten minutes of "down time" where you can sit quietly, lie down or simply do nothing. When I worked full time in a busy counseling office, I would close the door to the office during lunchtime, put up the "do not disturb" sign, turn off the light and lie on the floor! After a few minutes I felt rested and refreshed.

Maintaining Benefits After Your Homemade Body Cleanse

One of the big problems I've encountered with cleansing is that afterwards I am SO hungry that I tend to overeat which further stresses your newly cleaned out digestive system!!

For this reason, I recommend that on the first day AFTER your cleanse, you eat your "cleanse" diet and then add in ONE new food in the evening meal that is a higher protein source such as grains and legumes, eggs or fish.

The next day, add in one more serving of higher protein foods so that you have two servings that day.

The next day, if you still need more, add in a third serving.

To maintain the benefits of your cleanse, I recommend that you use the cleanse diet as your foundation, along with whole grains, beans, and healthy whole food protein sources.

Possible Cleansing and Detoxification Symptoms

While your body is detoxifying you may experience a number of symptoms, which is why it is helpful to work with your doctor or health practitioner so that you can cleanse safely without causing more stress for your body. Some of the possible symptoms include:

• Diarrhea
• Nutrient deficiency (for longer cleanses)
• Metabolism slowing down
• Over eating (after the cleanse), leading to weight gain
• Dehydration
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Nausea
• Headache

How to Prevent an Adverse Cleansing Reaction

Always consult your physician prior to beginning a homemade body cleanse for any amount of time. This is especially important for those who smoke, are already dealing with medical conditions, taking medications, or are extremely overweight.

Don't participate in strenuous activity during your cleanse. Avoid drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Drink plenty of water throughout the cleansing process.

I find that cutting down on the amount of greens in my juices can reduce a strong cleansing reaction. Instead you can add another kind of fruit or vegetable that is less intense.

I find apples to be very balancing and they add a delicious flavor to any juice. These are some helpful recipes for juicing apples that are nourishing and balancing and they taste great!

Done correctly, a homemade body cleanse can be a wonderful way to create a new and fresh start for your healthy skincare!

Step By Step Program for Cleansing With Whole Foods

Let's be honest ... cleansing and detoxification is NOT easy. Not only do you need to let go of some of your favorite foods and habits, even if for a short time, BUT you also have to deal with the "cleansing reaction" or detox symptoms that are not only physical but also emotional.

I've done a lot of cleansing in my life and it is ultimately SO worthwhile, but it really does take some work.

The other challenge is that there are so many choices and questions you run into during the process, and it can be difficult to find credible information on how to do a safe and effective cleanse.

I've always found it helpful to have help and support when I'm doing a cleanse, AND to make sure I feel nourished, rathen than deprived.

In looking around at some of the whole body cleansing support programs out there, I wasn't impressed. A lot them are just TOO hard and complicated.

Luckily I just found a fantastic new 2 week raw foods cleansing support program that has everything I have been looking for.

It is perfect for the busy, overwhelmed sensitive person. Simply sit down at your computer or on your mobile phone and watch the videos!

Some of the things I like about the Rocking Body Raw Foods Cleanse are:

• Gives you step by step videos for EVERY meal
• You only need to prepare meals Twice a Week!
• You can customize to your own body's needs
• It is a safe cleanse, with healthy whole foods and beverages
• YOu will feel satisfied and nourished
• You can even have healthy raw desserts - Yum!
• It shows you how to spend less money and eat better

Now, this whole body cleansing program has some parts of their sales page that I'm not into, talking about food battles and such ... BUT honestly it is one of the better online whole foods cleansing programs I've seen.

It's not the cheapest program out there, but it is one of the MOST likely to help you to actually succeed at your cleanse. You'll get 3 meals a day for two weeks along with, inspiration, and truly life changing support, and for that, I think it's a bargain.

The Rocking Body Raw Foods Cleanse offers a simple, gentle and customized cleansing program that you can use over and over again to attain radiant, natural health for your whole body.