Why fall is a perfect time to detox

When fall comes we think of harvest, bounty, and change, and as all systems seem to slow down, we think of rest.

Around us, the air crisps, the sun shines less, and the harvest attests to summer's long labor. On our insides, maybe we start to crave mom's apple pie and - whether we like it or not - all our bodily systems get ready for hibernation.

Winter months looming, the pre-holiday months are a perfect opportunity to prepare the immune system for the coldest months ahead.

Juicing for about a week, in mid-October, is a good way to start. Choose some fruits and vegetables still in season (apples, pears, carrot, beet, celery, zucchini) and combine them with fresh herbs to kick start a deep detox for your body. You will begin to feel the difference in just a few days as your immune system ramps up.

Also, continue drinking plenty of pure water to eliminate toxins and push out any potential sickness clinging inside your body as the seasons change. As you cleanse, remember to drink half your body weight (in ounces) per day to make sure you stay hydrated.

In addition to feeding your body fresh juice, eating whole foods, and drinking plenty of clean water, it's a good idea to incorporate a few colon hydrotherapy sessions to help your body "take the trash out" and prepare for winter's rest.

Elson M. Haas, M.D. recommends colonic irrigation as one of the primary ways to stay healthy during the seasonal changes.

"Colon hydrotherapy is a beneficial and non-toxic method of cleansing the large intestine with water. It has been used for thousands of years as a natural internal bath." --Staying Healthy With the Seasons

Colonics are an ancient practice and a natural way of regulating and detoxing the body. Even if you don't do regular colon hydrotherapy sessions, Dr. Haas recommends at least one colonic session seasonally to support a healthy diet and promote healthy colon function. A stagnant colon leads to constipation, and constipation is main cause of disease in the body.

Likewise, Hippocrates maintained that disease evolves from "self-poisoning" that results from colon stagnation. Deposits that lie in the colon release toxins throughout the body, and ultimately, toxins that live in the body manifest disease. It was Hippocrates who also encouraged "Let food by thy medicine."

So, before you indulge in the homemade baked goods, give your body what it needs to stay strong and well this winter!