http://www.care2.com/greenliving/resist-toxins-with-herbs.html
Resist Toxins With Herbs
Adapted from The Purification Plan: Clear Your Body of the Toxins That Contribute to Weight Gain, Fatigue, and Chronic Illness from the Editors of Rodale Health Books (Rodale, 2005).
Though your body has a built-in ability to resist toxins, it can do so for only so long. At some point, resistance fails and all kinds of health conditions set in. That’s when resistance herbs, also called adaptogens, can be used to raise resistance to toxins.
Select an adaptogen that is most appropriate to your particular health needs. (Though adaptogens have similar features, they also have individual strengths.)
Use adaptogens when you are heading into a toxin-rich time, such as when you are going to paint your house, fly on a plane or go on vacation where it’s likely that you’ll overindulge.
Use adaptogens to raise your resistance to toxin exposure if you are routinely exposed to toxic substances. Farmworkers, lawn-care workers, dry cleaners, hairdressers, chemical factory workers, petrochemical refinery workers, commercial cleaners and hotel maids can all benefit from using adaptogens.
Use adaptogens to raise your resistance to the toxicity of prescription medications. Over-the-counter and prescription medications, while helpful, also put stress on your body. These compounds were not meant to be in your body, and so your body has to work to get them out. If you regularly take medicine, consider using an adaptogen.
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26 comments
add your comment »This article said a lot without saying anything...
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Hi, Sorry, I thought the article held up as an overview. It certainly isn't an ad. I've added a link to some really good information about adaptogens, including when and why to use them. --Annie
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I agree, this is a worthless article. Usually I'm very please with the info I get from this site. This was just disappointing. At least give us a list of a few adaptogens and their properties. Or at least have a good link to find this info. In some states, acupuncturists are also board certified and licensed in prescribing herbs, so that would be a good resource for information, also. I agree that self-prescribing herbs can be dangerous. It's not just a matter of matching symptoms with herbal actions. It's knowing if the herb is "hot" or "cold" and many other properties. Example: if you give a "hot" herb to someone with hot flashes, it will make them worse. Some herbs for headaches will make them worse because they might be for treating a "stagnation" type headache and you really have a "deficient" type headache. You should always check with a QUALIFIED herbal practitioner. Just because you read it on the internet, doesn't always mean it's appropriate for you.
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I think "says" is right. If you really are concerned about one's health you need to take a new step. It's very easy to search more info about adaptogen on a search engine just like it was easy to click and read this article. Thanks to the author now I know that an adaptogen like ginseng, maca, holy basil and many others can actually make me feel better when I travel.
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A very interesting article. If one is interested in protecting one's own health they will bother to at least click on the article where it says 'adaptogens' to find the really helpfuil link to Wikipedia where a few of them are listed. its a shame to find that the average person has the time to place negative comments but not to click on the link and actually learn something. Goes to show that the people who really safeguard their health are the ones who are prepared to take an extra step such as access a search engine to learn more. The article indeed serves its purpose in providing an initiative for research, if it were to provide thorough information it would be a book! Thanks care2 for this great insight!
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I agree that the article is quite useless, somewhat like most TV shows that promise to inform people about things, but only lightly skim the surface.
The photo image appears to be Holy Basil. Many of the adaptogens can be grown or gathered wild (wildcrafted) with no need to purchase.
I recently saw an entire line of teas containing Tulsi (Holy Basil) and other herbs called Organic India, distributed from Boulder CO, and purchased a box. The teas were stocked in a large chain vitamin store. If you are using herbs from overseas that are not organic, you may be doing more harm than good to your health. An amazing array of herbicides, pesticides and fumigants are used on some herbs.
I have no connection to the company. I'm a medicinal herbalist by avocation.
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China town in Las Vegas had a simple herb tea of chinese herbs, Detox Tea probably found in many health food stoes. They won't hurt you unless you are allergic to them. If you are then you are probably allergic to other things and already know this.
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Don't mess around with herbs if you don't know what you are doing. The article is meant to bring adaptogens to the attention and if you are interested then either buy the book or go and a homeopath for further guidance. It's common sense.
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Also, a great place to purchase herbs is mountainroseherbs.com (that's where I get mine), or just search engine any herb that you want to find - there are plenty of sites, and they are usually quite affordable.
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I just searched adaptogens and came up with a great site:
adaptogens.org
The best way to prepare herbs are to boil for 20-30 minutes, and refrigerate extra for up to 2 days.
Take about 8oz. 1/2 before eating or 2 hours after eating.
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