Within minutes of taking my prescription I felt lightheaded and knew things were moving around.     4 hours after taking my chelating medication, I began to feel severely nauseous, on the verge of vomiting.  I started with Young Living’s enzyme blend Detoxzyme- taking 2 capsules and within 15 minutes the discomfort passed.  I needed to repeat this again 2 more times (about 2 hours apart) after finally getting relief from extreme symptoms so I could sleep for the night. Detoxzyme  contains several enzymes as well as essential oils to bind with toxins and simultaneously soothe the digestive tract and the liver.  Supplementing with enzymes during a cleansing program is very important, especially with a heavy metal detox.  The effectiveness of many enzymes is compromised by interaction with heavy metals so it is important to have the proper formulation to ease you through toxin removal.   I’ll give you an update on my heavy metals toxicity once I receive my results. 

Detoxzyme is made up of:

• Amylase – digests carbohydrates.
• Invertase – shows higher activity against heavy metal exposure than other enzymes, performs well in a wide range of PH levels, important during toxin removal when the body can become acidic, making it more difficult to purge toxins.
• Protease (Bromelain) – digests proteins, including oxidized proteins that can cause free-radical damage. Protease enzymes specifically can help with removal of heavy metals from the digestive tract and bloodstream.
• Glucomylase – digests starches and carbohydrates including those found in nuts, seeds & beans.
• Phytase – breaks down grains and releases phosphorus.
• Lipase – breaks down fats (lipids) decreasing stress on the liver.
• Cellulase – hydrolyzes cellulose fibers, including the removal of waste cellulose and unwanted byproducts.
• Lactase – digests lactose, also works with amylase to digest starches.
• Cumin seed – digestive aid, liver protectant and antioxidant.
• Anise seed -diuretic, antioxidant and digestive stimulant.
• Fennel seed -anti-inflammatory, digestive aid, antiseptic and improves metabolism.
• Alpha-glactosidase – decreases gas and bloating

You can see the ingredients in Detoxzyme are a combination of powerful enzymes to help break down food matter and help eliminate toxins in the digestive tract.  These enzymes are paired with herbs that soothe the digestive tract lessening the severity of unpleasant symptoms from the cleansing process.  Young Living recommends the use of Detoxzyme in conjunction with a detox program.

Detoxzyme 90 capsules   Whlse  $39.75     Retail   $52.30

You can order Young Living oils at wholesale (select Independent Distributor and order a $40 Start Living Kit for lifetime wholesale pricing, and no monthly minimums)  or retail (select customer).  If your cookies is not enabled, enter #1003003 in the sponsor & enroller columns to support the Pure Home and Body website.  Thanks!

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and this information is for educational purposes only.  It  is not the intent of Pure Home and Body LLC to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

Health is not an endpoint, a one time goal to be achieved.  Rather, it is a lifestyle built upon choices made every day.  Being a healthy person is also not just about weight, but encompasses your entire being -  your physical, spiritual and emotional being including your attitudes toward others, your personal confidence and outlook on life.  Health is a full package deal, not just the wrappings on the outside.   Achieving health also means being real with yourself and setting realistic goals.

1. Healthy people practice moderation and self-control in all they do whether in the foods they eat or the activities they participate in.  Their perspectives are balanced, not living on either end of the spectrum: either oblivious to risk factors in their lives or fearful of exposure to anything questionable so they are paralyzed to really enjoy life.
2. Healthy people are aware of what they put into and on their body:  eating nutritious foods, making low-toxin choices in home, health & beauty products.  
3. They exercise regularly  3-5 times a week.  Ideally, a variety of exercises:  cardiovascular and mind/body (yoga, pilates, tai chi, qi gong)  to keep the heart healthy and to manage daily stress.
4. Healthy people have a positive outlook on life.  They think of the glass as half full.  Research continues to show stress can have a negative effect on our bodies, this includes self-induced stress from negative thinking.   Anything is possible if you just put your mind to it!
5. Healthy people have Common Sense . They are not quick to try trendy diets and gimmicky supplements.  Healthy people look before they leap and research some before they jump into a new program.   They don’t just participate in the latest trends because “everbody is doing it”.
6. Healthy people only do what is best for their bodies.  We have so much information in our culture to know what is harmful to us.  Healthy people do not smoke, drink excess alcohol or use drugs.  Healthy people get help when they need it and build support in their lives to overcome past addictions to harmful substances and behaviors.  This includes choosing friends who are healthy and limiting time spent with those who influence unhealthy behaviors.  Surround yourself with positive people if you want to be healthy physically and emotionally.  Healthy people listen to their bodies and respond when they are tired, hungry, stressed or injured.
7. Healthy people make no excuses.  They choose a course of action, then do it.  This may be related to exercise or just life in general.  Healthy people make goals and follow through on their plans with perseverance.  Are you living a life of excuses?  What are your goals?  What is holding you back from achieving the goals you desire?  If they are important to you, make them a priority.   Write down your goals and leave them where you can see them.  Look at every choice you have in a day.  If any of those choices are optional and they do not align with your goals,  don’t do it.

Your time is valuable.  Make choices that will help lead you to the life you’d like whether in business,  personal, emotional or physical.  Being healthy is not just about your physical body, it is also about our emotional health: discipline, self-control and balance.  Grace is involved because healthy people are not legalistic about how they live their lives.  They do not let the daily ebbs and flows of life throw them off course in their journey to wellness, purpose and abundance.  They don’t make excuses, they just make the best choices they can every minute of every day with whatever options they have.  This is an art, something acquired over time with practice and experience.  These are not skills you can just order through Amazon, but they can be learned.  The key to many of these is to be true to yourself.  If you have a herd mentality and go with the crowd on many things, you need to start listening to your own self.  Only then will you be truly healthy.  You can make reasonable goals and a plan to achieve those goals that are personal and meaningful to yourself.   Your health is your wealth, so spend it wisely.

The history of fasting dates back to biblical times.   Daniel’s Diet is a fast based on the Biblical historical figure, Daniel who was captured and sent to Babylon to be trained  under the King’s leadership.  Daniel requested that instead of eating the rich foods of the king, that he and his companions eat only fruits & vegetables and in time they would see Daniel was healthier because of the wholesome diet.  Daniel’s Diet is a sensible fast that eliminates everything except fruits & vegetables and cleanses the mind, body & spirit.  Lent is a common time when many people of faith give up something to prepare their hearts for Easter.  The ancient Greeks practiced fasting regularly, including Hippocrates who stated “Our food should be our medicine, our medicine should be our food. But to eat when you are sick is to feed your sickness” and Plutarch who commented “Instead of using medicine, rather, fast a day”.

What should you fast from? Since fasting is often a mind, body & spirit exercise in wellness, you can fast from many things.  The most common are processed foods ( including anti-nutrients: processed foods, candy, soda) alcohol, smoking, really anything that has become a habit that challenges your will power.  This could include watching tv, reading gossip magazines, gambling or any other habit that keeps you from focusing on who you are as a person and making the best choices in your life.  Many of these things are not harmful in and of themselves, but if we participate in an activity and it consumes much of our thinking, it might be  time for a fast.   We are creatures of habit and some habits are defining who we are.   Fasting can be effective to our emotional selves when we choose to fast from things or habits that distract our attention from what is most important to us.

When is a good time to Fast?  Some people fast when they need to make an important decision about something.  Fasting can improve your mental clarity when your body is not bogged down with sugars and chemicals that may give you a “brain fog”.  Some people fast as an act of worship in their religion and as a way to accentuate a time of prayer and devotion.  Fasting can be done before undertaking a change in diet as a beginning to clean up your eating habits.   It is also important to keep in mind when it is not appropriate to fast: when you have important deadlines due for work or family, right before an important event (wedding, trip or major performance) anytime you are going through a difficult situation or major crisis.  Fasting should be done when you have time to plan, reflect and rest to maximize the benefits.  If you suffer from any major illness, consult with your holistic practitioner to plan a therapeutic fast to improve your health situation.  Breaking a fast is just as important as starting a fast.  You’ve given your body time rest and renew, so you should ease yourself back into eating other foods like meat, carbs, eggs & dairy.  You may even find you are feeling better without many of these as you limit your intake of them in the future.

Essential oils play an important role in fasting.   Drinking food grade citrus oils like lemon and tangerine will help move toxins out of your system and drinking citrus flavored water can help you feel satisfied from cravings.   Some essential oils like grapefruit act as a dieuretic and may help move stagnant fluid out of your body.  Make sure you are replacing lost fluids with plenty of pure water.  Putting food grade peppermint essential oil in your drinking water may help decrease overall inflammation in your body.  It will give you energy when you need it rather than relying on caffeinated beverages that will undermine your efforts to fast.  Peppermint oil can also ease digestive issues as your system eliminates toxins from your colon.  Apply a drop of peppermint essential oil on your tongue to curb your appetite .  Taking salt-water baths with lavender essential oil and massaging areas of cellulite with therapeutic grade essential oils may further move toxins out of your system.  Empower yourself with your health and focus on the things you can do while fasting rather than on what you are missing and the time you are fasting will be successful.  Above all, be sensible.  Fasting is a good activity to improve your mental clarity, boost your energy and possibly lose some extra weight when combined with proper diet and exercise.  Fasting has a reputation for creating weight loss.  More importantly, it allows your major organs to rest and heal so they work optimally.  For the long run, doing a reasonable fast like Daniel’s Diet once a month or 4-5 times a year will help to strengthen your psyche, eliminate toxins and give your body a break from less-than-ideal foods.

Essential oils make a great  addition to your own homemade cleaning solutions.  Many oils are naturally anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral.   Quality is essential in choosing oils to use for cleaning and personal use because many oils on the market are diluted, altered or may only be a synthetic reproduction which smells like a true oil.  Reproductions and diluted oils should not be relied on for cleaning and bacteria control because they do not have the natural antimicrobial qualities of a pure essential oil.  Young Living is currently the only essential oil company that rigorously tests all the oils it sells for purity and potency.  They have several powerful anti-bacterial blends University tested for effectiveness against bacteria.  There is even research showing therapeutic grade oils are effective against antibiotic resistance staph infection (MRSA).    Thieves and Purification are two potent blends recommended specifically for cleaning and bacteria/infection control.  Thieves contains cinnamon, clove, rosemary and lemon essential oils.  This is a patented blend of oils created by Gary Young.  Young Living carries a full line of products infused with the Thieves blend including a household cleaner, alcohol free hand sanitizer, toothpaste, mouthwash and hand soap to name a few.  Young Living essential oils are currently used in over 50 hospitals across the U.S.
 
Further, most Young Living essential oils are certified safe as food additives, so you can have full confidence in their safety around everyone, including children and pets.  Currently, the FDA does not have guidelines for essential oil labeling and inferior brands may contain synthetic additives or chemicals not listed on the labels - the exact things individuals like yourself are trying to avoid by looking to natural materials for safe solutions.  I used health store brand oils for 12 years with mixed results.  When I found Young Living Essential Oils, I regained my confidence in using therapeutic grade essential oils to keep my family healthy and our home greener.  Adding Young Living essential oils to your natural cleaning products will help you  have a cleaner home, and you will feel better when you limit your exposure to unknown chemicals.

Here are some practical and economical green cleaning tips and recipes:

1. Remove clutter which collects dust.
2. Institute a no shoes indoors policy. Shoes are a great source of dirt in the home including bacteria and pesticide residue from lawns.  We practice this in our yoga studio and many cultures do this as a sign of respect.  It makes perfect sense in maintaining a green home, leave the dirt at the door!
3. Avoid “antibacterial” sponges and soaps, especially products with “Triclosan” a substance known to disrupt the endocrine system. Know anyone on thyroid medication?
4. Avoid cleaners with ammonium and chloride derivatives including Bleach,  known to irritate the respiratory tract.  Anyone with asthma?
5. Avoid any products with petroleum and solvents which are absorbed into the skin and wreak havoc on your system.
6. Keep home-made solutions well labeled. Better yet, mix up only what you will use.
7. Baking soda and salt act as natural non-abrasive cleanser.  Use up your iodized salt for cleaning and treat your body to Celtic Sea Salt for consumption.
8. Oxygen bleach is a safe whitening alternative to chlorine bleach which is harmful to the respiratory tract and breaks down into dioxin, a carcinogen.
9. Lemon juice and vinegar disinfect and dissolve hard water deposits.
10. Borax disinfects and cleans many surfaces.

All Purpose Cleanser:  mix equal parts of water and baking soda to form a paste, add lemon juice or essential oil of choice to clean surfaces

Drain Cleaner:  Pour 1 C baking soda down drain, follow with 1 C vinegar, wait about 30 minutes until bubbling subsides. Rinse drain with hot water

Oven Cleaner: make a paste with 3/4 C baking soda, 1/4 C salt & 1/4C water. Spread on interior of oven and let sit overnight. Remove with a spatual in the morning using steel wool for tough spots.

Stainless Steel cleaner:  wipe area with undiluted vinegar

Sinks – use natural cleanser or oxygen bleach adding a drop or two of essential oils (Thieves, clove, cinnamon or lemon) to disinfect

Mold & Mildew – Thieves household cleaner and Thieves spray directly on surfaces. Diffuse Thieves essential oil to kill airborne mold spores.

Dusting -  A damp cloth is all you need to remove dust, even from wood furniture.  Traditional polishes only spray chemicals into the air and may add a waxy build up.

If you’d like a place to start “greening” up your home, sign up for my Newsletter to the right and you’ll get your PureHOMEandBODY  Healthy Home Checklist.  

For more natural cleaning recipes check out ClearSimpleLiving.

Thieves Household Spray 1 oz:   wholesale  $8.00     Retail $10.53

Thieves Household Cleaner 14.4oz:  wholesale $21.50    Retail $28.29       = to 50 bottles of 409 cleaning spray!

Thieves Essential Oil 15ml     wholesale   $31.75         Retail   $41.78

You can order Young Living essential oils at Wholesale (select independent distributor and add a $40 Start Living Kit, your wholesale membership is for a lifetime and does not require monthly orders) or Retail prices as a customer.

Essential oils make a great  addition to your own homemade cleaning solutions.  Many oils are naturally anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral.   Quality is essential in choosing oils to use for cleaning and personal use because many oils on the market are diluted, altered or may only be a synthetic reproduction which smells like a true oil.  Reproductions and diluted oils should not be relied on for cleaning and bacteria control because they do not have the natural antimicrobial qualities of a pure essential oil.  Young Living is currently the only essential oil company that rigorously tests all the oils it sells for purity and potency.  They have several powerful anti-bacterial blends University tested for effectiveness against bacteria.  There is even research showing therapeutic grade oils are effective against antibiotic resistance staph infection (MRSA).    Thieves and Purification are two potent blends recommended specifically for cleaning and bacteria/infection control.  Thieves contains cinnamon, clove, rosemary and lemon essential oils.  This is a patented blend of oils created by Gary Young.  Young Living carries a full line of products infused with the Thieves blend including a household cleaner, alcohol free hand sanitizer, toothpaste, mouthwash and hand soap to name a few.  Young Living essential oils are currently used in over 50 hospitals across the U.S.
 
Further, most Young Living essential oils are certified safe as food additives, so you can have full confidence in their safety around everyone, including children and pets.  Currently, the FDA does not have guidelines for essential oil labeling and inferior brands may contain synthetic additives or chemicals not listed on the labels - the exact things individuals like yourself are trying to avoid by looking to natural materials for safe solutions.  I used health store brand oils for 12 years with mixed results.  When I found Young Living Essential Oils, I regained my confidence in using therapeutic grade essential oils to keep my family healthy and our home greener.  Adding Young Living essential oils to your natural cleaning products will help you  have a cleaner home, and you will feel better when you limit your exposure to unknown chemicals.

Here are some practical and economical green cleaning tips and recipes:

1. Remove clutter which collects dust.
2. Institute a no shoes indoors policy. Shoes are a great source of dirt in the home including bacteria and pesticide residue from lawns.  We practice this in our yoga studio and many cultures do this as a sign of respect.  It makes perfect sense in maintaining a green home, leave the dirt at the door!
3. Avoid “antibacterial” sponges and soaps, especially products with “Triclosan” a substance known to disrupt the endocrine system. Know anyone on thyroid medication?
4. Avoid cleaners with ammonium and chloride derivatives including Bleach,  known to irritate the respiratory tract.  Anyone with asthma?
5. Avoid any products with petroleum and solvents which are absorbed into the skin and wreak havoc on your system.
6. Keep home-made solutions well labeled. Better yet, mix up only what you will use.
7. Baking soda and salt act as natural non-abrasive cleanser.  Use up your iodized salt for cleaning and treat your body to Celtic Sea Salt for consumption.
8. Oxygen bleach is a safe whitening alternative to chlorine bleach which is harmful to the respiratory tract and breaks down into dioxin, a carcinogen.
9. Lemon juice and vinegar disinfect and dissolve hard water deposits.
10. Borax disinfects and cleans many surfaces.

All Purpose Cleanser:  mix equal parts of water and baking soda to form a paste, add lemon juice or essential oil of choice to clean surfaces

Drain Cleaner:  Pour 1 C baking soda down drain, follow with 1 C vinegar, wait about 30 minutes until bubbling subsides. Rinse drain with hot water

Oven Cleaner: make a paste with 3/4 C baking soda, 1/4 C salt & 1/4C water. Spread on interior of oven and let sit overnight. Remove with a spatual in the morning using steel wool for tough spots.

Stainless Steel cleaner:  wipe area with undiluted vinegar

Sinks – use natural cleanser or oxygen bleach adding a drop or two of essential oils (Thieves, clove, cinnamon or lemon) to disinfect

Mold & Mildew – Thieves household cleaner and Thieves spray directly on surfaces. Diffuse Thieves essential oil to kill airborne mold spores.

Dusting -  A damp cloth is all you need to remove dust, even from wood furniture.  Traditional polishes only spray chemicals into the air and may add a waxy build up.

If you’d like a place to start “greening” up your home, sign up for my Newsletter to the right and you’ll get your PureHOMEandBODY  Healthy Home Checklist.  

For more natural cleaning recipes check out ClearSimpleLiving.

Thieves Household Spray 1 oz:   wholesale  $8.00     Retail $10.53

Thieves Household Cleaner 14.4oz:  wholesale $21.50    Retail $28.29       = to 50 bottles of 409 cleaning spray!

Thieves Essential Oil 15ml     wholesale   $31.75         Retail   $41.78

You can order Young Living essential oils at Wholesale (select independent distributor and add a $40 Start Living Kit, your wholesale membership is for a lifetime and does not require monthly orders) or Retail prices as a customer.

Cleansing Trio

It is well known in the health and wellness arena that disease starts in the colon.  The Cleansing Trio is an excellent tool to rid the body of contaminants.  The trio includes Young Living products: ComforTone, Essentialzyme and ICP.  The Cleansing Trio products can be used along with your normal food intake.  There is no fasting or extreme dieting as a part of this cleansing regiment.  However, one should avoid alcohol, sugar, white flour and processed foods for maximum benefits.  Reducing or eliminating dairy and meat can be beneficial.  You should also eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

1. You’ll begin this cleanse by taking 1-2 caps of Essentialzyme after every meal.  You want to allow your body to produce some of the digestive enzymes so if possible, wait 30 minutes after a meal to take these.  Do this for a few days to see how your body responds to the enzymes.  Essentialzyme is a high quality blend of enzymes that target the breakdown and elimination of toxins.  This supplement may be especially helpful for individuals who have difficulty digesting and assimilating food including those suffering from pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis.   Essentialzyme also contains essential oils of tarragon,  peppermint, anise, fennel and clove – all these oils support healthy digesting and help decrease inflammation.

2. After a few days using the Essentialzyme,  you will begin to add the ComforTone.  Start with 2 caps before breakfast and 2 caps before bedtime.  Increase the dosage up to 5 each to get at least 2-4 good bowel movements each day.   ComforTone is an herbal laxative of bentonite (absorbs toxins), apple pectin for fiber and herbs to support colon health.  If you experience nausea at this point drinking peppermint water may be helpful in moving toxins along.  ComforTone also contains essential oils of Rosemary, German Chamomile, tarragon, peppermint, ginger, anise and tangerine to help purifiy the colon, improve digestion and reduce spasms.

3.  Once you’ve reached the point of regular elimination using the Essentialzyme and ComforTone, start the ICP gradually working up to 2 tsp two times daily at a minimum.  You may need to start with 1 tsp daily gradually working up if you’re easily constipated.  The goal is to maintain 2-4 good bowel movements during the day while on the ICP.  The key is not to let yourself get constipated by taking this very slow.  Listen to your body and make sure you are drinking plenty of purified water to help move toxins out of your system.  Constipation in any cleansing program will cause toxins to accumulate in the digestive tract causing unpleasant symptoms like headache, nausea and even vomiting.  Do not begin using the ICP until you are having 2-4 eliminations a day.

Here are some other Young Living supplements I have used that can help relieve constipation: 

• Sulfurzyme-combines MSM and Ningxia wolfberry.  This balances the immune system and supports almost every major function of the body.  A good starting dose is 2 caps two times daily one hour before or after meals.  
• Alkalime-helps preserve the body’s proper pH balance.  Cleansing releases huge amounts of toxins which in turn cause the body to become very acidic.  High acidic levels in the body will cause constipation so maintaining the proper pH balance will prevent constipation.  Especially important to take before bedtime.  Alkalime is a mineral powder designed to balance the body’s PH to a more alkaline level.  Alkalime may be helpful in alleviating symptoms of an acid-based system due to yeast or fungus overgrowth.
• Detoxyme-promotes detoxification of the body and is excellent for colon health.  Take between meals. You can also take at night with ComfortTone to help aid digestion. Detoxzyme is a vegetable enzyme complex designed to digest sugars, starches, fats and proteins.  Detoxzyme may be helpful in supporting natural detoxification of excess cholesterol, triglycerides and yeast overgrowth.  Detoxzyme also increases the assimilation of vital minerals like magnesium, potassium and zinc from foods like nuts, seeds and whole grains.  Detoxzyme contains the enzyme phytase which is essential to the breakdown and absorption of these essential nutrients.
• MegaCal-high powered calcium and essential mineral complex.  Will help stimulate the colon.  Start with 1 tsp two times daily one hour before or after meals. 
• Peace & Calming  essential oil blend-use 2 times daily to help calm the abdomen.  Dilute 1:1 with a vegetable oil and massage directly onto the abdomen.

Increase your water intake further.  You can drink up to your full body weight in fluid ounces daily to help relieve the constipation.  Add citrus oils to your water as this will facilitate the release of toxins from the body. Exercising can also help move toxins out of your system and help improve regularity. 

This cleanse is very effective and can be maintained up to 3 months for maximum benefits.  One should stop the ComfortTone by this point so the colon does not become dependent upon it.  You can continue using less of the ICP.  This will cleanse the body in and of itself.  Of course, continue using the Essentialzyme or any of the other YL enzyme products for digestion aid. 

I have done many different cleanses over the years.  I have often become extremely bloated when the bulking agents were introduced because the colon was not moving sufficiently.  At that point, I would stop the cleanse never getting the full benefit.  It has been my experience that the Young Living products are far superior.  Gentle yet very effective.  I have found a new level of health as a result.  Health problems that I was plagued with for years are gone now as a result of removing the toxins.

Therapeutic grade essential oils get to the root of the problem by assisting the body in removing toxins that are stored in fat cells.  You can also attack cellulite by increasing circulation with massage, dry brushing or hydrotherapy with a powerful jet stream from your shower head.  You can also mix up a natural sea salt body scrub to improve blood flow and start moving toxins out.  Follow this stimulation with an application of therapeutic grade essential oils to continue the process.  Many essential oils are naturally anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and help deliver oxygen to our cells.  All these functions are essential to helping rid the body of pollutants.   Many citrus oils in particular have been studied for their effectiveness at dissolving fats.  Keep in mind citrus oils can cause photosensitivity – so apply the oils at night, not right before going out into the sun where the oils may make you more susceptible to a sunburn.   

The following essential oils are especially powerful in fighting against cellulite:

 Grapefruit essential oil:  The grapefruit has long been associated with a healthy diet, and for good reason.  Grapefruit eliminates toxins in the body – synthetic drugs included.   If you are on any presciption or over the counter drugs, consult with your doctor before adding grapefruit to you daily regime.  If you are not on any man-made medications, grapefruit oil is a fantastic way to fight against cellulite.  You can target areas and  massage it on location, diluting with a vegetable oil.  Young Living’s grapefruit oil is also food grade so you can take a few drops in a capsule, or add a drop to a glass of orange juice for a boost in detoxing your body from the inside out.  Eating grapefruits and ingesting grapefruit essential oil may have a dieuretic effect so make sure to continue to drink plenty of purified water. 

Tangerine essential oil:  Improves circulation and digestion which will facilitate the removal of toxins.  Apply on location or ingest.  Add a drop to your glass of purified water for a  flavorful way to drink your 8+ glasses of water a day.  The citrus aroma will boost your spirits and help you relax.

Cypress essential oil:  Increases circulation upon topical application, discourages fluid retention and helps move toxins out of the body.  Blue cypress is anti-inflammatory which can help increase blood flow.  Dilute cypress essential oil with some vegetable oil and massage into areas of concern working towards the heart.  Cypress may also be helpful with varicose veins.

Juniper essential oil:  Historically used as a dieuretic, this oil supports kidney function.  It is also purifies and assists the body’s natural methods of detoxification.  It is also a digestive stimulant and antiseptic.

Spearmint essential oil:  May improve fat metabolism, is anti-inflammatory and antiseptic.  Effective when combined with grapefruit to target areas with cellulite.

Cel-Lite Magic Massage oil – a Young Living massage oil makes it convenient to attack cellulite.  This oil blend includes essential oils of grapefruit, cedarwood, clary sage, cypress & juniper

Cellulite can be slow to dissolve, but when combined with weight bearing exercise, healthy diet which includes drinking plenty of high quality water, and essential oil applications, fat has no chance of survival!  Be patient, consistent and diligent and in a month or so you should see some results.

You can order Young Living essential oils at Wholesale (select independent distributor and add a $40 Start Living Kit, your wholesale membership is for a lifetime and does not require monthly orders) or Retail prices as a customer. 

8 oz. Cel-Lite Magic Massage Oil from Young Living     Wholesale   $29.75          Retail $39.14

Our bodies are made up of 60% water by weight, our brains 70%, our lungs 90%.  Water is essential to life, we can live 3 weeks without food, and only 3 days without water.  Water transports nutrients to our cells and moves the toxins out.   Because of this importance, it should be no surprise that Hydrotherapy, or water therapy has been used for centuries as a form of healing and detoxifying.  Water therapy is one of my favorite methods of cleansing  because it’s easy, affordable, versatile and relaxing.  I can adjust my treatments by varying the essential oils I use to suit my needs.

Traditional methods of healing with water date back to Ancient Rome, Greece, China & Japan.  These cultures incorporated hydrotherapy in the form of steam, baths, suanas, wraps and body packs – an inspiration to many body treatments today.   Hydrotherapy is not just about water, but also about temperature and the thermal effects on the body.  Combinations of heat and cold treatments through water can stimulate immune function & production of hormones, invigorate circulation, stimulate digestion and encourage blood flow.    Hydrotherapy capitalizes on the body’s reaction to hot and cold stimuli.  In particular:

Heat – slows organ activity,  is good for stressed or tensed muscles, relieves anxiety

Cold – invigorates, stimulates, increases organ activity, increases alertness

There are many methods of using water for therapy.  Consult with your doctor before undertaking hydrotherapy involving extreme temperature changes.  Those with certain conditions should avoid extreme heat or long hot baths including pregnancy, diabetes, MS, low or high blood pressure, the elderly or young children.  Cold applications should be avoided by those with Raynaud’s, bladder infection or sciatica.

Hot Sea Salt Bath -  Helps draw toxins out of the body.  This is best done when you can rest several hours afterwards, such as before bedtime.  Mix together 1-2 cups Celtic Sea Salt with 3-4 drops Young Living Lavender essential oil.  Add to hot bath water.  Soak 20-30 minutes, rinse off with cool water if desired.  Drink plenty of pure water in the days following.

Cold Foot Bath – Boosts immune system and increases circulation.  Helpful at the onset of a cold.  Fill foot bath with cool water and allow feet to soak until the water no longer feels cold.  Add 1-2 drops of peppermint essential oil to increase the cooling effects.  Massage Valor essential oil onto the soles of the feet after and put on cotton socks.

Steam Inhalation – excellent for breaking up mucous and opening up the respiratory tract.  Fill a ceramic bowl (plastics will release toxins with heat)with hot water,  hold face over steam – not too close to irritate skin – and breathe deeply.  This method is even more effective when used with therapeutic grade essential oils.  If using oils for inhalation, the water only needs to be warm,  boiling water will actually change the chemical structure of the oils.  Eucalyptus, rosemary, myrtle, thyme and ravansara single oils are supportive of the respiratory tract.  Young Living blends of R.C. , Raven, Thieves and Purification are powerful anti-bacterial combinations that could be used in steam inhalation as  well.  1 drop is potent enough for this technique.

Hot Compress -  use to relieve muscle tension, break up mucous or increase blood and lymph flow.   This method is used in the Raindrop Technique which is an excellent method of detoxifying the body.  Apply a drop or two of essential oil of your choice to enhance the effects.  Take a comfortably warm or hot wet cloth and apply on location. Cover with a dry towel and hold in place until cloth cools.   

Cold Rubbings – increase circulation and blood flow, stimulates the immune system and breaks up stagnant toxins. Take a wet, cold washcloth and rub vigorously starting at the feet and working your way towards the heart.  

All of these methods can be enhanced with the application of essential oils and by alternating applications that are hot & cold.   Watch for my next article where I will target a specific storage point of toxins:  Cellulite!  No Match For Essential Oils.  As with all my articles, this information is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease and requires the use of common sense.

Marketing campaigns for beauty products offer hope,  I believed it one time myself.  And I had a brief moment of panic when I realized one of my face lotions had UREA in it – a substance listed as a carcinogen and on an MSDS (material safety data sheet, a standardized information format listing potential hazards of a substance) it cautions to avoid skin contact.  Really?  Yes, my face lotion contained an ingredient that is shown to be harmful if applied to the skin.  I think you might be surprised by how many skincare products have similar ingredients.  One company I researched fully discloses their ingredients and even acknowledges that some of them are considered toxic stating on a website that they are “heavy on natural botanical extracts and light on toxic or dangerous chemicals”.  I don’t know about you, but for me I want a product that has ZERO toxic or dangerous chemicals. 

If you haven’t considered this before, you’re not alone.  Not many people think of skin care products a potential toxin.  I feel this is an important part of my cleansing series simply because this is a place where your body can be absorbing a lot of toxins.  In 2004, an EWG study found only 78 out of 9600 beauty products were verified for safety.   Currently, at least 1096 health & beauty products fail safety standards because they contain harmful ingredients.  BPA and parabens have been the most recent to come into the spotlight – but watch for others. 

Many ingredients are known to mimic estrogen and wreak havoc on your metabolism, thyroid and endocrine systems – affecting hormone production and body systems that support healthy weight and detoxification.  Those anti-aging creams are often the worst offenders, you’ll have smooth-wrinkle free skin….but they may be packed with estrogen mimicking  substances and nano-particles to reach deep into cells.  Hormone imbalance can cause extreme PMS/menopause symptoms and young girls to develop earlier.  Who knows what impact these ingredients could have on the male population.  If you think this may not affect you because you don’t have children yet?  Many substances can be passed on in-utero, so be extra cautious about what you put on your pregnant body when the time comes.

Here is just a snapshot of the thousands of harmful ingredients that may be hidden within the natural like aloe leaf, chamomile and green tea extracts of your products.  You can find a more comprehensive list at www.EWG.org.

Oxybenzone – mimics estrogen.  Found in “skin repair creams”, sunscreen, lotions

Methacrylates-Hydroquinone – avoid skin contact. Found in moisturizers, sunscreen, nail polish, acne medications

Triethanolamine-unsafe if left on skin and not rinsed off.  Found in moisturizers, cleansers, body lotions

Silicon dioxide – prolonged exposure to skin can cause organ damage.  Found in nutritional beverages, face lotions, body washes

Nano-particles – unknown long term affects. Micro particles absorbed deep into cells.  Found in anti-aging creams, powders (potential lung irritation) body lotions.

Methylisothiazolinine (or other ingredients with –iazolin suffix) cause allergies, affects the central nervous system.  Found in toners, face creams, shampoos.

Tocopheryl Acetate – linked to cancer, allergic responses.  Found in food, hand & body creams, cleansers.

If you are really interested  in cleansing your full body you’ll want to know what is in the products you currently use.  Start by reading your personal care product  labels, if all ingredients are not disclosed you can contact the manufacturer directly.  Check out the chemical database at www.ewg.org. 

Beauty is more than skin deep, and  it begins with being healthy.  There are many safe, non-toxic alternatives to chemical laden beauty products and you don’t have to sacrifice noticeable results.  There are many essential oils and natural botanicals that offer cell-renewing, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging benefits compliments of nature.   There are also many companies dedicated to providing safe products that are good for you and good for the environment.  Watch for an upcoming article on my favorite non-toxic alternatives to natural skin and body care.

Our bodies were designed with several ways to eliminate toxins.  Some of the obvious routes are through our breath (so keep breathing), our skin (anti-perspirants stop this process and should be avoided, most also contain heavy metals that enter right into the blood stream and lymphatic system), and our systems of elimination (keep yourself hydrated and “regular”).  If any of these basic functions are not working optimaly, toxins can build up in your system.

Breathing helps eliminate toxins so it is important to breathe regularly.  This may sound simple but pay attention to your breath patterns over a couple of days.  In yoga classes I teach breathing exercises.  Adjusting your breath can affect many body systems.  Breath can calm you down (when you exhale more than you inhale) and energize you (inhaling greater than your exhale).  For daily activities it is simply important to breathe regularly and not hold your breath.  This often happens in points of stress or anxiety when breathing is exactly what your body needs to settle down.

Skin is another point where toxins should naturally be released.  We have, however, created our own problem with this when we apply chemicals to our skin that introduce toxins into our bodies via the bloodstream.  Some studies have shown that it can take only 26 seconds for something to be absorbed into the bloodstream after being applied to the skin.   Check out www.safecosmetics.org for a quick view on all the chemicals we may be subject to simply from the body products we use day to day.  With layers of soap, shampoo, lotions, perfumes, hairspray, make-up, etc. it  doesn’t take long for us to become covered in a chemical cocktail, making it even more important to clean up your environment.   If you lessen your exposure to these outside influences, you give your body a fighting chance to eliminate toxins via the skin (mostly in the form of sweating).

The last area our bodies eliminate toxins is through our major organs. It is essential that the liver, kidneys, lymphatic system and digestive tract are all operating at their best to help this process along.  If any of these organs becomes sluggish in function, the toxin removal will be compromised.  The easiest area to maintain is the colon, through regular elimination.  Constipation slows down the body’s natural method of cleansing and allows toxins to build up in the system.  Staying hydrated and eating plenty of good quality fiber are two easy ways to keep things moving along.  Young Living’s Sulfurzyme is a blend of natural MSM and wolfberries that improves muscle tone, decreases inflammation and improves elimination. 

Supporting your body’s natural methods of cleansing  will help you feel better day to day and make any cleansing program you take on more effective.  Watch for the next article on cleansing:  Fire & Ice, which includes detoxing with hydrotherapy – and I promise I won’t be covering colon irrigation.