The term "detoxification" is often used synonymously with "purification" and has become a kind of fashion trend. Many dietary supplements are still advertised with the term "detox", even though this is not legally permitted. Since this term is not clearly defined, there is a whole hodgepodge of ingredients included - and it is often not clear to the customer what exactly the "detoxifying" effect of the respective preparation is supposed to be.

Therefore, at this point we would like to explain what conventional medicine understands by “detoxification” and which organs in our body are primarily responsible for it.

Detoxification in conventional medicine

The absorption and release of substances from or to the environment is called metabolism. The body also takes in harmful substances that it must convert or excrete. This process is called "detoxification“ and takes place primarily in the liver, kidneys and gall bladder. In addition, metabolic products are also excreted through the skin and breathing.

The liver is the body's main detoxification organ and is involved in the entire metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Toxic substances, which are often fat-soluble, are broken down in the liver with the help of a variety of enzymes and programmed for excretion by making them water-soluble (so-called biotransformation). Water-soluble substances return to the blood and reach the kidneys, where the harmful substances are filtered out and excreted via the urinary tract. Poisons that are particularly difficult to dissolve in water and large substances such as heavy metals, which cannot be excreted via the kidneys, are stored in the gallbladder and finally excreted via the intestines.

Only when the body’s own detoxification possibilities are exhausted, it may be necessary, even according to conventional medicine, to use “detoxification therapies" to intervene; e.g. in cases of renal insufficiency (à dialysis) or poisoning (à activated charcoal to bind toxic substances, gastric lavage or induced vomiting).

"slagAccording to conventional medicine, there is no such thing as "anti-inflammatory drugs". However, it does recognize harmful residues, which are defined differently in the biochemical sense. These include: fat deposits (cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL), increased uric acid in the blood and tissue (leads to gout), long-chain sugar-protein compounds (associated with aging processes, arteriosclerosis and damage in existing diabetes), excess antigen-antibody complexes, especially in autoimmune processes (e.g. lupus erythematosus, glomerulonephritis), lactate (lactic acid) or metabolites of medications and drugs (e.g. marijuana residues in fatty tissue).

Detoxification in Western Naturopathy

The belief that an inner cleansing of body and mind is good is widespread in many cultures and religions around the world. Fasting is an integral part of Ramadan in Islam, and Christianity also has the forty-day fasting period before Easter, for example.

Proponents of detox diets are of the opinion that our bodies are exposed to so many toxins and pollutants in the modern world that the body's own detoxification is overwhelmed, resulting in the accumulation of so-called waste products in organs and connective tissue. These pollutants include, among others, an unhealthy diet with a lot of fat and sugar, nicotine, alcohol, environmental toxins and stress. Regular detox treatments are intended to rid the body of these waste products.

In Western naturopathy, a detox cure is usually understood to be a pure juice cure.This is the idea behind the so-called “alkaline fasting", in which acid-forming foods are avoided. To start such a treatment, the first step is to empty the bowels. On the following juice days, only fruit and vegetable juices are drunk, which are intended to stimulate the metabolism and digestion. Such treatments are usually accompanied by massages, baths, saunas and long walks, which are intended to increase the detoxifying effect.

Detoxification in Ayurveda

When it comes to the Ayurvedic understanding of “detoxification”, one must familiarize oneself with the concept of “Ama” which translates to “undigested“ means. If the digestive fire Agni is not strong enough, food is not completely metabolized and Ama is formed. Ama is white, sticky, foul-smelling, cold, heavy, impure and most comparable to the “waste products” in the understanding of western fasting or the toxins in conventional medicine.

According to Ayurvedic understanding, almost every illness can be traced back to an accumulation of Ama and can be felt as exhaustion or heaviness and can be recognized by a thick coating on the tongue. Depending on where in the body the Ama accumulates, illnesses can occur. If Ama settles in the lungs, for example, this can be the cause of chronic bronchitis.

Accordingly, Ayurveda focuses on strengthening the digestive fire Agni and eliminating Ama as part of a “detoxification”.

The “supreme discipline” for detoxification in Ayurveda is the so-called “Panchakarma treatmentFirst, Agni is strengthened so that Ama can be burned - ideally with the so-called "triple heat" (Trikatu) of ginger, black and long pepper. The doshas are released from the tissue using oil therapies and liquefied using heat treatments so that they can be brought to the nearest possible place of digestion. Finally, the collected doshas are removed with vomiting, laxatives and enemas.

After such a “detox” treatment, so-called “rejuvenating” measures can be initiated according to Ayurvedic understanding – the so-called “Rasayanas“. These are supposed to increase vitality and stimulate the immune system. Ashwagandha is particularly suitable as a rejuvenating agent for Vata constitutions, Shatavari for Pitta types and Punarnava for Kapha constitutions.

Detoxification in TCM

In TCM, all food consumed should either follow the path of Yang or that of Yin On the Yang path, they are burned and converted into heat and movement; on the Yin path, they are converted into substances that nourish and regenerate our body. The unusable part of the food is excreted via urine, stool and sweat.

While from a western perspective the liver and kidneys are primarily responsible for detoxification, in TCM it is primarily the spleen. If the body is overwhelmed with detoxification and excretion or the spleen is weakened, then it stores what it cannot convert or excrete in the body. In TCM this is referred to as "humid heat“In TCM, “heat” means that Yang (which stands for warmth) dominates in relation to Yin (which stands for cold). And this internal heat gradually simmers the body fluids, causing dryness. This is the trigger for many illnesses.

For a “heat therapyAccording to TCM, the spring months are particularly recommended for “detoxification therapy” (i.e. in the figurative sense “detoxification therapy”), as this is the time when the liver and gallbladder, the organs important for detoxification, are associated with the disease.

The central component of such a therapy is grain cures, in which one eats, for example, grains over a period of 10-14 days.only cooked rice and is intended to remove moisture and heat. Yin and Yang are thus brought back into balance. Physical therapies such as cupping massages also help to stimulate the metabolism and remove harmful substances. Finally, acupuncture can help to move the liver Qi and tonify the spleen.

In addition to the grain cure, the following things are also taken into account in everyday lifewhether heat problems can be avoided in the long term:

• Dandelion tea – is cooling and has a particularly strong effect on the liver and stomach
• Eat cooling vegetables such as tomatoes, zucchini, asparagus, eggplant, mushrooms, celery etc.; avoid warming vegetables such as leeks, garlic, onions
• Eat cooling raw foods such as leaf salads and cooling fruits (berries, lemons, oranges, melons, etc.)
• Reduce stress and alcohol, do not smoke
• Regular exercise to prevent Qi stagnation
• Soy products, algae and grains such as rice, spelt, millet, quinoa, pulses and lentils reduce humidity and heat

Finally, it should be noted that detoxification, fasting, diets etc. in TCM rather critical And this is mainly due to the two main types of life energy Qi The prenatal Qi (also called "Jing"), which is formed from the energy of the parents and is finite (if the prenatal Qi is exhausted, the person dies). And the postnatal Qi, which is formed mainly from food, breathing air and movement. So if you give the body too little food over a long period of time while fasting, it has to fall back on the precious and finite Jing.

Important nutrients for our detoxification organs

choline contributes to the maintenance of normal liver function and supports its enzyme system. Choline is also very important for metabolism and fat transport, as it is necessary for the transport of triglycerides and other fats from the liver into the tissue.

calcium contributes to the normal function of digestive enzymes and to normal energy metabolism.

Guduchi extract In Ayurveda, it is said to have a strong detoxifying and purifying effect, whereby the liver is particularly supported in its detoxifying effect. In addition to the rejuvenating and circulatory strengthening effect, in Ayurveda it is also said to have blood-cleansing and detoxifying effects. In addition, according to Ayurvedic texts, Guduchi has a balancing effect on all three doshas and strengthens the digestive power.

Triphala extract consists of equal parts of Amalaki (myrobalan tree), Bibhitaka (Beleric myrobalan) and Haritaki (Chebulic myrobalan) and is said to balance all three doshas. According to Ayurvedic understanding, Bibhitaki removes Ama from the fatty tissue and optimally influences fat metabolism. According to Ayurveda, Amalaki helps with detoxification through its strong digestive effect.

Maitake In TCM, Maitake (Grifola frondosa) is used to maintain the health and strengthen the liver and gallbladder. Two animal studies on rats from 2019 and one on mice from 2018 have shown a positive effect of Maitake on fat metabolism and in particular on fatty liver disease: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29873587/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31653116/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30403219/

dandelion

Dandelion contains bitter substances that cause more saliva and stomach acid to be secreted.At the same time, they promote the release of digestive hormones and enzymes and stimulate bile production. These effects stimulate the appetite and get the digestion going. The medicinal plant can also help if the stomach bloats after a fatty meal and an unpleasant feeling of fullness sets in. Other ingredients of the plant such as flavonoids and plenty of potassium can have a slightly diuretic effect. Dandelion is therefore often used in so-called blood purification and detoxification teas. In addition to the bitter substances known for their healing effects, the dandelion plant contains carotenoids as well as plenty of vitamins B, C and E. The medicinal plant also contains minerals such as potassium, calcium and iron, as well as flavonoids, coumarins, triterpenes and omega-3 fatty acids. This is why many people use the medicinal plant in spring cures and fasting cures to cleanse the liver and purify or detoxify the body. Dandelion promotes the release of waste products from the tissue and supports the liver in breaking down the toxins so that they can be expelled from the body. The herbal remedy purifies the blood and can alleviate liver diseases such as cirrhosis or hepatitis and improve liver dysfunction.

A study on rats published in 2017 shows that dandelion protects against lead poisoning prenatally when dandelion is given to the rat mother: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28364786/
This 2018 study on rats shows that mulberry and dandelion extracts may have the potential to improve some of the pathologies associated with excessive alcohol consumption https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30105955/
A study published in 2017 shows that the polysaccharides of dandelion root may be useful in preventing liver damage caused by paracetamol: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28841174/

Cinnamon promotes and stimulates intestinal activity and can prevent digestive problems such as flatulence and bloating. In addition, certain ingredients in cinnamon are believed to influence blood sugar levels. Laboratory tests show that cinnamon increases the release of the hormone insulin.

milk thistle

The milk thistle comes from the Mediterranean region and has been used as a medicinal herb for centuries to treat liver diseases (scientific evidence for this is pending). The active ingredient in milk thistle is silymarin, which is made up of various natural phenols. The suspected protective effect on the liver is explained by the stabilization of the cell membrane of the liver cells thanks to silymarin, which prevents cell toxins such as alcohol from penetrating the liver cells.

A 2017 study concludes that high-dose silymarin is a good choice for improving liver biochemical profile and quality of life in patients with chronic HCV liver cirrhosis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29135373/
This study published in 2017 concludes that silymarin has positive efficacy in reducing transaminase levels in fatty liver patients. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29245314/

Legal Consumer Information

German and European law aims to protect consumers from allegedly misleading claims about effectiveness. The statements made here refer to the original Ayurvedic and TCM texts. This knowledge, which has been passed down for thousands of years, is based on experience that is passed down from generation to generation. It is not intended to claim that the products described here have an effect in the sense of Western medicine.All products are food supplements; they are not medicines and have no medical effect. If you are ill and need medical attention, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.