Frequently Asked Questions

About Detoxification Programmes

By Miriam Young

How long does a detoxification programme go for?
Can I still go to work whilst on a detox programme?
How soon should I do another cleanse?
Will detoxing affect my medication?
Will cleansing affect the oral contraceptive pill?
How is your cleansing different to the way Dr Sandra Cabot does things?
Will I lose weight during a detox?
What if I can't cope without my chocolate and coffee?
Will detoxing make me feel sick?
What if the 'healing crisis' is too much, or too intense for me to cope with?
Will I get hungry during the retreat?
Will my blood sugar levels drop too much on the retreat?
Will I be able to go back to work on Monday morning after the retreat?
Is it hard to take an enema? Can I damage myself? Do I have to take them?

How long does a detoxification programme go for?

It is up to you! There is no specific or strict length of time for a detoxification programme. I treat each individual separately depending on their health, toxicity levels, constitution, motivation and desired outcome. It also depends on whether we are treating a particular imbalance, for example candida, parasites, menopausal symptoms or infertility, undertaking preventative medicine, routine pre-conception care or are detoxifying for a variety of reasons. We work as a team. And we can take things as quickly, slowly, deeply or gently, as you request and/or can handle. A detox programme can range from one week to six months! But there can always be breathing space on the long cleanses, where you can go to the odd dinner party and relax about desserts etc! It is not uncommon however, for me to put a client on a two-week programme to begin with, after which your health and response to treatment will be reassessed.

Can I still go to work whilst on a detox programme?

Most definitely. Most people start by cleansing their body gently whilst going to work. It is also possible to undertake some deeper detox programmes in the comfort of your own home during the weekends. Later on down the track, you may decide to commence a deeper programme and take time off work. You may however prefer to undertake the deeper cleanses during a Detox For Life health retreat by the beach, where you are supported and nurtured.

How soon should I do another cleanse?

As soon as you like! To begin with, you may undertake a two-week detox programme and with further consultation with myself decide to lengthen it, or move straight into another programme. And why not if you are on a roll! You may decide however to have a break for a while and we may perhaps undertake some strengthening treatment with herbs, thereby bringing energy and vitality back into the body, boosting what the Chinese would call Kidney Yang Qi, strengthening the immune system and bringing vigour and tone back into any of the internal organs that require it.

Will detoxing affect my medication?

I have never known a detoxification programme or indeed any herb, diet or lifestyle change to have an adverse reaction with any person, child or adult, on orthodox prescription under my care. If you have any concerns, you may like to talk to myself and/or your doctor, (if you have one).
Please realise however, (although things are changing), there are not many doctors in the field who are empathetic, enthusiastic or knowledgeable about herbal medicine, or complementary medicine in general. It is possible and probable that you will receive a negative response. Most of this comes about from lack of knowledge about natural medicine. Please find out and decide for yourself and do not have another person take your power or choice away from you. Herbs are the first medicine and most orthodox drugs on the market are synthetic versions of active plant components.

As a natural progression in a person's healing and development, some individuals have decided to slightly or significantly reduce, or wean themselves off orthodox medication entirely, whilst seeing me as a practitioner. Some of these more common drugs include anti-depressants, antacids, thyroid medication, cholesterol drugs, and hormone replacement therapy. There is never any pressure from me for this to happen and every individual has always made this choice for themselves, when they are ready and always in their own time. When a person has made his or her own decision for the reduction of their medication, my support is always there. I recommend only the slow and gradual reduction of all medication.

Will cleansing affect the oral contraceptive pill?

Whilst on the oral contraceptive pill and undertaking one of my detoxification programmes that involves fasting for any length of time, it is possible that the lack of solid food may render the oral contraceptive pill less effective. It is important that you use a back-up means of contraception at this time and do not just risk it!

There are numerous major and minor side effects in taking the oral contraceptive pill. And it is possible, if not likely that your doctor has not informed you about these. Please ask me for a handout on the oral contraceptive pill. I am also a Natural Fertility Management consultant. As part of my practice, I teach people natural methods to either avoid or achieve conception.

How is your cleansing different to the way Dr Sandra Cabot does things?

Dr Sandra Cabot has written a wonderful book called "The Liver Cleansing Diet". This book primarily focuses on diet, with some nutritional supplementation. Even though I highly recommend The Liver Cleansing Diet as an excellent way to enhance the well-being of one's physical and emotional health by taking the pressure off the liver, it does not, by any means, release the hundreds of stones trapped in our livers, resulting from years of repeated prescriptions of antibiotics, the oral contraceptive pill and all other medications, pesticides in food, low fat foods, meat, genetically engineered food, coffee, tea, alcohol, junk food, air pollution, etc not to mention all those suppressed negative emotions.
(See The Importance of Liver Detoxification).

From my clinical experience it has come to light that herbal medicine combined with diet brings far more health benefits than mere diet alone. My detoxification programmes tend to be a lot deeper and thorough and focus on the whole body, liver/gall bladder, kidneys and/or bowel. My dietary advice is also somewhat different.

Will I lose weight during a detox?

Generally speaking, if you are over-weight, you will lose weight during a detox. There are however, no promises or guarantees. It very much depends on the constitution of a person, the type of cleanse being undertaken, the reasons why a person is carrying excess weight in the first place, (see The Importance of Lymphatic Cleansing) and how long and how deeply a person is willing to cleanse and whether or not they swing back to old patterns, after the detox programme has been completed. Detoxifying your body is a very natural and very powerful way to lose weight. It is not a quick fix and has no adverse affects upon your health, such as constipation or malnourishment, as is the case with some dietary practices. On the contrary, not only will you most often lose weight, but you will often also feel generally healthier, lighter and experience greater levels of energy.

The liver is the only organ that is responsible for pumping fat out of the body. Consequently many of my clients who wish to lose weight undertake my Pure Plant Liver Cleanse and are pleasantly surprised not only at the weight lost, but also how good they feel afterwards. As my Pure Plant Bowel Cleanse involves organic fruit and vegetable juice and fasting for a period of seven days, most people also lose weight during this cleanse. And it is often not only fat that they are losing, but also old poo (faecal matter) as well, which has been sitting in the small and large intestines, producing kilos in weight, as well as stretching the intestines, producing those bulging tummies!

Thin people, who undertake the Pure Plant Bowel Cleanse, may lose weight initially, but quickly regain it within one to two weeks due to the fact that absorption levels are greatly improved. This is due to the fact that old sludge in the intestines has been eliminated and the body can actually absorb the food that it has ingested.

What if I can't cope without my chocolate and coffee?

From my clinical experience, there are two major reasons why we crave food that is 'bad' for us. An excess of Candida (see Sugar, Sweet Satisfaction or Sweet Destruction), and/or mineral deficiencies often makes changing one's diet seem absolute torture. When a person is mineral deficient, it is often not just one mineral they are deficient in, but many. Although you may be eating purely organic foods and not taking any substance internally that interferes with mineral uptake, (such as coffee, alcohol, the oral contraceptive pill and all other orthodox medication), in Australia, the soil is mineral-deficient particularly in selenium and magnesium.

Colloidal Minerals contain over 70 different minerals and trace elements, come from plants (not synthesised in a laboratory) and are microscopic. This means that they are able to travel into the body via the sublingual (under the tongue) circulation, straight into the blood and straight into the cells. They are particularly good for that very toxic body that often has poor levels of absorption. Minerals are catalysts for every biological reaction that happen in the body and when we do not have enough of them we become tired and drained. Mineral deficiencies can be linked to most disease states known to man. Minerals not only help to pick up our energy levels, but also greatly reduce, and often completely take away those cravings, thereby making change to a purer diet much easier!

Will detoxing make me feel sick?

It is possible that you may experience nausea, headaches, muscle aching and/or irritability whilst detoxifying your body. Feeling sick is not such a bad thing in the big picture of things. It is normal and a very good sign that the detox is working for you and toxins are coming out of your body. Mostly this experience is only mild, but at times, it can be a little more intense. It is important that you have a chat to me about this. It is possible and often recommended that you miss a day of herbs, or reduce the dosage of herbs whilst still keeping your diet pure. When the 'healing crisis' has passed, you will feel grateful as to how much better you feel!

What if the 'healing crisis' is too much, or too intense for me to cope with?

Then you stop and have a break for 24-48 hours, (no coffee or chocolate). Lots of cold showers, a jump in the ocean, a dip in a cold stream or a 2-minute soak in a cold bath works wonders. As the Lord Buddha taught, "nothing is permanent", it will pass. Allow your self to have that cry, fully experience feeling down and lousy, and go for a walk in nature. For more information see Healing Crisis.

Will I get hungry during the retreat?

Not usually. Occasionally a person with a fast metabolism will feel mildly peckish on the Detox For Life health retreats. Nothing that an extra juice, an extra dose of colloidal minerals, some Paw Paw or a couple of prunes cannot sort out!

Will my blood sugar levels drop too much on the retreat?

Thanks to the colloidal minerals, organic juices and Vital Nutrients, even those who know they have blood sugar problems prior to going on the retreat have not experienced any issues whilst undertaking the "Detox For Life" Health Retreats.

Will I be able to go back to work on Monday morning after the retreat?

Absolutely. And you will look and feel fantastic. And do not be surprised if you get complimented at just how wonderful you are looking! When the internal organs are pure and clear, make-up does not need to be worn as much. Your inner beauty will shine through!

Is it hard to take an enema? Can I damage myself? Do I have to take them?

Enemas are easy to take. But the first time you ever take an enema may be challenging. The second time however will be much easier and soon you will be doing them in no time at all. So long as you are gentle with yourself and use plenty of lubrication it is not possible to damage yourself. It is important to relax and take your time.

It is not essential that you take enemas whilst detoxifying your body. However, with some of my deeper cleanses, they really are an essential part of the programme. Some people find the thought of taking enemas overwhelming, but after a little encouragement from me, I have had the most reserved of ladies and gentlemen appreciating the remarkable benefits of taking enemas!

They soon become a very useful part of the medicine cabinet.