Spring Cleaning the Body
In many countries and cultures throughout the world (especially the cold ones!) spring was seen as a time of re-birth and renewal of the land around us.
Many cultures also had a tradition of using "spring tonics" to cleanse and detoxify the body after a winter of bad food: too much starch and meat and not enough fruit, vegetables and fresh produce.
In addition, winter is often a time of stagnation and insufficient physical exercise as we "bunker down and hibernate" through the cold months.
The "spring tonics" were often based on liver tonics, so that the liver - the primary organ of detoxification in the body - would be detoxified and strengthened, and could therefore help to cleanse and tone the whole body.
The liver is the largest organ of the human body and is involved directly, or indirectly, in all physiological processes, including digestion of carbohydrates, fats and protein; blood sugar regulation; synthesis of blood plasma proteins; storage and metabolism of vitamins; inactivating and clearing hormones from the blood, such as: oestrogens; steroids; detoxification and elimination of many drugs; alcohol; pollutants; artificial food additives; and other potentially poisonous substances.
This function will put the liver under stress from constant work.
As the liver is connected with many other functions of the body, any dysfunction or disease will reflect in its activity.
Similarly, a state of minor liver dysfunction may show itself as a symptom elsewhere in the body.
Skin disorders are one good example of this.
However, there is often a need to aid the liver even when no specific "disease" is present.
A wide spectrum of functional problems can occur, which can be described as "liverishness", such as fatigue or sluggishness; dull complexion; irritability, or conversely feeling "low"; nausea, indigestion, heartburn, constipation; halitosis- and many more.
While the modern diet in developed countries today can be well balanced throughout the year, it is nevertheless contaminated with a range of chemicals with which the body has great difficulties in dealing with.
Thus we can need a "spring tonic" at any time of the year.
In addition to providing tonic support to aid the liver's function, other eliminatory organs such as the kidneys, skin, bowel, lungs and lymph may need support.
Also, the immune system, which may have taken a beating with winter colds and flu's, may need some assistance in becoming strong again.
In times past, disease was widely seen as a failure of elimination, and the resulting vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing, runny nose, fever-sweats, etc of most acute diseases were seen as evidence that the body was being driven to extraordinary eliminative measures.
Today we know that this is a somewhat simplistic view and that there are other factors such bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa involved, as well as the immune system itself, which plays a vital role in protecting us from these pathogens.
But the fact remains that a healthy body, functioning optimally, should be able to resist infection by these pathogens.
If you feel as though any of these points above may apply to you, if you feel as though you could do with a "spring tonic", or a boost to your immune system, please contact me to make a herbal medicine appointment.
Remember that when visiting a medical herbalist, you are looked at as an individual and that your specific needs and health issues are addressed.
There are no "formulae" in western herbal medicine for treating conditions, as every person, every body, is unique, and will have different factors influencing the health and well-being at any given time.
Each patient is therefore prescribed an individually-blended herbal prescription of top-quality herbs sourced from the top herbal medicine company in the world.
Also, remember that the herbal remedies available over the counter, either as individual herbs or in pre-packaged combinations, are often low quality, low potency and may even use the wrong part of the plant or worse, be incorrectly identified in the product! And because they're self-prescribed, its a bit like going to a pharmacy and picking out what medication you want without professional advice.
Wouldn't you prefer to have a prescription made individually just for you and your needs by someone who really cares about your best interests and optimal well-being? Massage is also an effective way to stimulate circulation, lymphatic flow and therefore detoxification.
Why not book in for a 1 hr aromatherapy massage to kick start your spring-clean? And finally if you are not already, why not "get moving" with some 1-to-1 Pilates sessions: great for circulation, toning, increasing flexibility and range of motion, improving posture and energising! Check out my website below for more information and special offers!
Many cultures also had a tradition of using "spring tonics" to cleanse and detoxify the body after a winter of bad food: too much starch and meat and not enough fruit, vegetables and fresh produce.
In addition, winter is often a time of stagnation and insufficient physical exercise as we "bunker down and hibernate" through the cold months.
The "spring tonics" were often based on liver tonics, so that the liver - the primary organ of detoxification in the body - would be detoxified and strengthened, and could therefore help to cleanse and tone the whole body.
The liver is the largest organ of the human body and is involved directly, or indirectly, in all physiological processes, including digestion of carbohydrates, fats and protein; blood sugar regulation; synthesis of blood plasma proteins; storage and metabolism of vitamins; inactivating and clearing hormones from the blood, such as: oestrogens; steroids; detoxification and elimination of many drugs; alcohol; pollutants; artificial food additives; and other potentially poisonous substances.
This function will put the liver under stress from constant work.
As the liver is connected with many other functions of the body, any dysfunction or disease will reflect in its activity.
Similarly, a state of minor liver dysfunction may show itself as a symptom elsewhere in the body.
Skin disorders are one good example of this.
However, there is often a need to aid the liver even when no specific "disease" is present.
A wide spectrum of functional problems can occur, which can be described as "liverishness", such as fatigue or sluggishness; dull complexion; irritability, or conversely feeling "low"; nausea, indigestion, heartburn, constipation; halitosis- and many more.
While the modern diet in developed countries today can be well balanced throughout the year, it is nevertheless contaminated with a range of chemicals with which the body has great difficulties in dealing with.
Thus we can need a "spring tonic" at any time of the year.
In addition to providing tonic support to aid the liver's function, other eliminatory organs such as the kidneys, skin, bowel, lungs and lymph may need support.
Also, the immune system, which may have taken a beating with winter colds and flu's, may need some assistance in becoming strong again.
In times past, disease was widely seen as a failure of elimination, and the resulting vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing, runny nose, fever-sweats, etc of most acute diseases were seen as evidence that the body was being driven to extraordinary eliminative measures.
Today we know that this is a somewhat simplistic view and that there are other factors such bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa involved, as well as the immune system itself, which plays a vital role in protecting us from these pathogens.
But the fact remains that a healthy body, functioning optimally, should be able to resist infection by these pathogens.
If you feel as though any of these points above may apply to you, if you feel as though you could do with a "spring tonic", or a boost to your immune system, please contact me to make a herbal medicine appointment.
Remember that when visiting a medical herbalist, you are looked at as an individual and that your specific needs and health issues are addressed.
There are no "formulae" in western herbal medicine for treating conditions, as every person, every body, is unique, and will have different factors influencing the health and well-being at any given time.
Each patient is therefore prescribed an individually-blended herbal prescription of top-quality herbs sourced from the top herbal medicine company in the world.
Also, remember that the herbal remedies available over the counter, either as individual herbs or in pre-packaged combinations, are often low quality, low potency and may even use the wrong part of the plant or worse, be incorrectly identified in the product! And because they're self-prescribed, its a bit like going to a pharmacy and picking out what medication you want without professional advice.
Wouldn't you prefer to have a prescription made individually just for you and your needs by someone who really cares about your best interests and optimal well-being? Massage is also an effective way to stimulate circulation, lymphatic flow and therefore detoxification.
Why not book in for a 1 hr aromatherapy massage to kick start your spring-clean? And finally if you are not already, why not "get moving" with some 1-to-1 Pilates sessions: great for circulation, toning, increasing flexibility and range of motion, improving posture and energising! Check out my website below for more information and special offers!