Detoxification letting nature take it's course

1. Optimize the diet The food your companion eats should be highly digestible and free of preservatives, cheap fillers, artificial flavorings, sugar, and excess salt. These ingredients contribute to the burden of an already over-worked detoxification system. Digestive enzymes and probiotic supplements should be added to the food to help with digestion and waste elimination. Green foods, such as spirulina, wheatgrass, or barley grass may also be beneficial, as they are rich in antioxidants and help feed the digestive flora necessary for the breakdown of waste in the intestine. In some cases, fasting may be indicated to help expedite waste elimination. Talk with your holistic veterinarian to find out what type of fasting may be appropriate for your companion. 2. Provide plenty of clean water Water is essential in the process of detoxification. Encourage your companion to drink copious amounts of clean, filtered water. Avoid water that contains chlorine, fluoride, chemical residues, harmful bacteria or parasites (avoid ditch or stream water, for example). Depending on circumstances, it may be wise to provide distilled water for a few days. Because distilled water is virtually void of the minerals naturally found in most water, it tends to pull chemicals and minerals, including some metals, away from the body before it exits in the form of urine. This can be very beneficial in cases where metal toxicity or chemical poisoning is suspected. Keep in mind, though, that long term consumption of distilled water may deplete your companion’s body of the minerals it needs. 3. Detoxify with herbs A variety of herbs may be useful in supporting the detoxification process. Herbs that strengthen liver function, such as dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale), nettle leaf (Urtica spp.), yellow dock root (Rumex crispus), Oregon grape root (Mahonia aquifolium), or turmeric (Curcuma longa) can help improve digestion and the body’s ability to remove toxins from the blood. Lymphatic herbs, such as red clove r (Trifolium pratense), cleavers (Gallium aparine), or red root (Ceanothus velutinous) may help support the lymph system in its activities of washing tissues of toxins. To help with the removal of intestinal mucus and the toxins it collects, ground flax seed, or perhaps a mild dose of senna or another herbal laxative is in order. Many other herbs can be used to support yo ur companion’s detoxification. To find out which are best for your animal’s needs, consult a veterinary practitioner who is versed in the use of herbal medicines. Most importantly, remember that detoxification is, and should remain, a perfectly natural part of the healing process. Although the circumstances that trigger detoxification may warrant the attention of your veterinarian, the means by which your companion’s body eliminates toxins should be supported, not suppressed. From: Animal Wellness Magazine