| Detoxification
Detoxification
helping nature do its job
by
Greg Tilford
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1.
Optimize the diet
The food your companion eats should be
highly digestible and free of preservatives,
cheap fillers, artificial flavorings,
sugar, and excess salt. These ingredients
contribute to the burden of an already
over-worked detoxification system. Digestive
enzymes and probiotic supplements should
be added to the food to help with digestion
and waste elimination. Green foods, such
as spirulina, wheatgrass, or barley grass
may also be beneficial, as they are rich
in antioxidants and help feed the digestive
flora necessary for the breakdown of waste
in the intestine.
In some cases, fasting may be indicated
to help expedite waste elimination. Talk
with your holistic veterinarian to find
out what type of fasting may be appropriate
for your companion.
2.
Provide plenty of clean water
Water is essential in the process
of detoxification. Encourage your companion
to drink copious amounts of clean, filtered
water. Avoid water that contains chlorine,
fluoride, chemical residues, harmful bacteria
or parasites (avoid ditch or stream water,
for example).
Depending on circumstances, it may be
wise to provide distilled water for a
few days. Because distilled water is virtually
void of the minerals naturally found in
most water, it tends to pull chemicals
and minerals, including some metals, away
from the body before it exits in the form
of urine. This can be very beneficial
in cases where metal toxicity or chemical
poisoning is suspected. Keep in mind,
though, that long term consumption of
distilled water may deplete your companion’s
body of the minerals it needs.
3. Detoxify
with herbs
A variety of herbs may be useful in supporting
the detoxification process.
Herbs that strengthen liver function,
such as dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale),
nettle leaf (Urtica spp.), yellow dock
root (Rumex crispus), Oregon grape root
(Mahonia aquifolium), or turmeric (Curcuma
longa) can help improve digestion and
the body’s ability to remove toxins
from the blood.
Lymphatic herbs, such as red clove r (Trifolium
pratense), cleavers (Gallium aparine),
or red root (Ceanothus velutinous) may
help support the lymph system in its activities
of washing tissues of toxins.
To help with the removal of intestinal
mucus and the toxins it collects, ground
flax seed, or perhaps a mild dose of senna
or another herbal laxative is in order.
Many other herbs can be used to support
yo ur companion’s detoxification.
To find out which are best for your animal’s
needs, consult a veterinary practitioner
who is versed in the use of herbal medicines.
Most importantly, remember that detoxification
is, and should remain, a perfectly natural
part of the healing process. Although
the circumstances that trigger detoxification
may warrant the attention of your veterinarian,
the means by which your companion’s
body eliminates toxins should be supported,
not suppressed.
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Published
in the October/November 2003 issue of
Animal Wellness Magazine
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