The 10 day detox

The concept of detox is a modern twist on a very old practice. Traditionally ‘detox’, or more traditionally ‘removing the toxins’, was done as the seasons changed, after long winter months of eating pickled and salted foods to clear the body of fats and sluggishness.

Today, we eat fresh foods all year round but detoxing is more necessary than ever, due to the daily onslaught of chemical build up in our bodies. Allergies, skin problems, fertility and chronic health issues such as IBS, joint problems and even some depressions can all be related to lifestyle and diet.

So, to counter these effects, why not try this 10 day detox plan, an easy to follow diet and a programme of skin brushing and Epsom salt baths to speed up the process. If you have a juicer, now is the time to dust it off and get it going. If you don’t have one, you can use pre-made juices such as Innocent smoothies.

Things to avoid

Coffee, tea, alcohol, fizzy drinks, processed foods, white bread and flour and all sugars.

The programme

1. Start each day with 10 minutes of skin brushing. Always brush towards the heart, so brush long firm strokes up your arms and legs and gently downwards on your chest.

2. Sip a cup of hot water with two slices of lemon each morning before eating. Use organic lemons as the essential oils in the lemon skins can hold a lot of toxins.

3. Do 20 minutes of exercise - power walking, rebounding, yoga or skipping.

4. Have a juice power snack mid morning and mid afternoon. If you are making your own, use apple, ginger, carrot and grapefruit. Add a teaspoon of psyllium husks (from good health food stores).

5. Drink two litres of water a day, one with 10ml of Napiers detox formula.

6. In the first three days have an Epsom salt bath. Dissolve 500g of Epsom salts in a warm bath and soak in the water for 20 minutes. Make the bath as hot as you can. When you get out wrap yourself in warm towels, lie down in a warm bed and relax for 20 minutes. The Epsom salts will make you sweat and draw out the toxins.

7. Detox body oil: Make your own with 50ml carrier oil and 20 drops each of grapefruit, juniper and geranium essential oil. After your Epsom salt bath, massage this into your skin.

Day 1

• Start the day with raw food. Soak muesli in orange or apple juice. Add chopped fruit and a few nuts.
• For lunch and evening meal have a big salad with as many different vegetables as possible, including boiled potatoes.
• Make a dressing from olive oil or flaxseed oil and lemon juice.
• Have a mid-morning and mid-afternoon juice snack.
• If you are feeling in need of a pick up, have a small handful of nuts and seeds.

Day 2 to 10

• Start each day with soaked muesli and fresh fruit.
• For lunch and dinner have a big salad or a big plate of steamed vegetables, and a portion of protein such as fish or organic chicken. If you are vegetarian, use hummus, nuts, Quorn or tofu.
• You can have potatoes or brown rice but do keep the portions under control.
• Have two glasses of juice each day, with psyllium husks.

After 10 days

• You should feel fitter and healthier than you were 10 days ago. Put in place all those New Year resolutions and develop a programme for life, not just 10 days.
• Keep up the exercise and have at least two days a week with no alcohol.
• Try having a day each week of eating a detox diet.
• Keep your fluid level up.
• Treat yourself to massages.

Words: Dee Atkinson, Napiers the Herbalist