08/20/2012
After Ramadan Cleansing.
So we have spent a month of fasting. It was a spiritual fast. Make no mistake about it. It has parameters as each and very fast does so do not let anyone tell you it wasn't a 'real' fast because you were eating at the two ends of the day.
What was and is important, and this holds true for all types of fasting - is what were you filing your body with when it was empty of food and drink.
Let me move beyond the metaphysical to the physiological.
Since you were eating, and many may not have been as conscious as they should have been about what they were taking in, now is the time to concentrate on getting out the residues of this food that will not benefit you.
This holds true for physical matter as for mental matter. This short piece is about physical matter and we will confine it to that.
Water - The elixir of life. First things first. Drink more! Period. Whether you drank a lot during the previous month or not drinking more can only help you.
In order to purge the body of undesirable elements you will need to hydrate it and get things flowing. Most of us have heard that one should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day; the actual amount needs to be closer to 12-13. Use the 8 as a starting point.
Cleansing Strategies.
I am only going to mention a few easy and straightforward things, as the scope of this is not to be ultra comprehensive but to get the idea in to your mind(s) and stimulate you to think about these things.
A. Apple Cider Vinegar/Honey/Cayenne
This is as classic tonic drink that can be taken once a day for 10-40 days, if not longer, and one will begin to see benefits fairly quickly.
I am mentioning this one first because it is easy and as a Post-Ramadan tonic it is super easy and non-stressful in terms of our hectic schedules.
One glass of pure water, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon of honey, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Be careful with the cayenne. All that is needed is a very tiny amount, like the tip of a small fingernail or less! Best last thing at night or first thing in the morning. It can be done at both of those times as well.
B. Pure (Organic) Lemon Juice
I am referring here to lemons that you squeeze not pre-packaged lemon juice whether 'organic' or not.
This is a 7-day tonic where you squeeze/juice 3 lemons and then drink the juice (straight) first thing in the morning 15-30 minutes before eating. Some may not be able to take the juice straight so you can mix a few tablespoons of water into the juice if you have to. Ideally though, you want to do it straight.
This acts to cleanse the liver, blood, lymphatic system, and many, many other aspects of the body. Limit it to 7 days though the first time around.
C. The Detox Fast
As there are many 'detoxification fasts' I am specifically referring to the detox fast which targets the four humors of the body and as an end result purges the humors, creating or rather recreating harmony within the body.
Though the fast is not 'difficult' certain conditions have to be followed strictly for the expected results to occur.
Contact me for more information.
D. Juice Fast
Although popular, the juice fast is a serious regimen and should be done just at the drop of a hit. The goal of the fast and its outcome will be determined by which fruit or fruits the individual chose to use. Note: it is very beneficial to do a 'mono' fruit fast where the fast is concentrated around one fruit, e.g. Black concord grapes, or pineapples, or apples.
Again contact me for more information on this one.
E. Quick Cleanse
I saved this one for last because originally I just wanted to write a post encouraging people to just do a purge but then I realized that there are different sets of people with different sets of needs.
This is basic and easy. Get yourself a natural laxative, and I stress 'natural' here. Examples are: Smooth Move (at your local groc store), Cerasse (a Caribbean favorite), Senna pods or leaf (exercise caution w/amount and be sure to add some ginger to counter-act the griping that will surely occur), Cascara Sagrada and/or other bitter herbs such as Gentian, Wormwood, Quassia, Aloe Vera, etc.
The directions for the above are pretty simple and straightforward with the inexperienced person's best bet being to get a box of 'Smooth Move'. The best time to take this 'quick cleanse' is right before sleep and preferably having the next day off or relatively free. The action of the above-mentioned herbs usually takes from 6-8 hours so ideally you sleep the night through and experience some moving in the system after waking.
In closing I want to stress that this has been a slimmed down discussion on this serious and weighty subject with the goal of stimulating your interest and 'getting things moving' after Ramadan. So many times many of us seemed to get 'stuck' after the month of Ramadan and are not sure why. Here is one way to unclog the system and open the way to get things moving.
As a Certified Herbalist with 15+ years of experience I am available for private online consultations.
To set up a consultation contact me via email.
Think Well, Act Well, Be Well.
(Note: Anyone with a pre-existing health condition or who is unsure about their present state of health should consult with a Health Care Practitioner prior to embarking on any of the above mentioned regimens.)
