Practiced for centuries by cultures around the world — including Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine systems — detoxification is about resting, cleansing and nourishing the body from the inside out. By removing and eliminating toxins, then feeding your body with healthy nutrients, detoxifying can help protect you from disease and renew your ability to maintain optimum health. - Deborahann Smith, GAIAM

DETOX PROPERLY

1. Colon

   Many detox programs will start with a colon cleanse to “open” this organ first so that it is ready to eliminate more toxins as the cleanses target other organs. Some colon cleanses are combined with lymph or blood cleansing herbs.
   
   A large proportion of the toxins processed by the liver are excreted into the bile which is also made in the liver. The bile is concentrated in the gallbladder and eventually makes it way through the intestines to be got rid of in the stools. It is vitally important to have the bowel working well before you start any body cleansing or detox program or the toxins can be
   reabsorbed into the body if the transit through the bowel is slow.
   
   

2. Kidneys

   The kidneys are usually targeted next. Some toxins that are processed by the liver are made water soluble so they can be gotten rid of by the kidneys through the urine. If the kidneys are not working well then the other organs become overloaded with toxins instead.
   
   

3. Liver and Gallbladder

   The liver is usually the next organ to cleanse. This can take the form of a liver/gallbladder flush or herbs that help support the liver detox pathways.
   
   

4. Blood and Lymph

   Some cleanses go on to target the lymph and blood systems. They are the transport system of the body. They carry nutrients to every cell and they remove metabolic waste products and circulate them out to the elimination channels – the colon, lungs, liver, kidneys, and skin – for expulsion from the body.
   
   If these systems get clogged up, you are going to get sick. A lymph cleanse and a thorough blood detoxification can help. Skin brushing can help with increasing the circulation of both.
   
   

5. Skin & Lungs

   The skin will try to get rid of toxins that other organs fail to eliminate. If you have skin problems look at the detox function of other organs.
   Your lungs take in oxygen that is circulated by the blood to every cell in your body and is vital for life.
   
   Many also suggest a fungal cleanse early on as well. It is best to do first or after the liver detox.