Body Detox with Chinese Herbs;
Is it Safe? Is it Necessary?

Toxins and foreign substances in our tissue can lead to premature aging, disease, and pain. Natural herbs for detoxing can be beneficial if your body is not independently eliminating efficiently, or you have been exposed to a large amount of toxins. These would include pesticides, air pollution, plastics, pharmaceuticals, cleaners, solvents, alcohol (in large quantities), preservatives, food coloring, chemicals, hair dyes, etc.

The reason the detoxification herbs must be respected is that they are designed to ‘remove fire toxins’ from the body. In order to remove ‘fire toxins’, you must utilize very cold herbs typically. Eventually, these cause a Yin/Yang imbalance in the body. We typically recommend a ten day to two month course of detoxification before patients begin tonic herbal therapy. The exception is with chemotherapy patients, or those who have been exposed to severe toxin poisoning; I have had several patients who painted cars or airplanes, used chemicals in hairdressing, or refinished floors who required a longer course of treatment.

Our body does an amazing job of eliminating toxins all by itself. It is only when the body becomes overwhelmed with a large quantity of toxins, or an especially potent toxin, that it is unable to perform the various functions of elimination. The body is wise, and initially attempts to store toxins in fat cells far away from vital organ systems. This is why people often become ill when losing weight rapidly. The less desirable scenario exists when the toxins circulate in the arteries or are lodged in organ tissue or muscle tissue. Often, toxin act as free radicals; these unstable molecules create tissue damage.

Patients often ask about natural herbs that can ‘cleanse the blood.’ This is a bit of a misnomer; because organs are ultimately responsible for cleansing the blood there are specific herbs that act to strengthen those organ systems. While the lungs are an important organ for eliminating carbon monoxide, for this purpose, they are not included in the systems below.

Lymphatic
The lymphatic system consists of a myriad of delicate vessels found in almost every tissue of the body containing blood vessels. These vessels perform essential functions including the removal of waste products from cellular metabolism. The proper function of the lymphatic system is vital for proper immune system performance.

This vital system is often overlooked in detoxification programs. The lymphatic system is often referred to as the ‘back alleyway’ for trash removal of the body. There are a multitude of common natural herbs that help the lymphatic system work more efficiently; these would include cleavers, Echinacea, burdock and seaweed.

Liver
The liver is actually considered a gland, and performs a large number of vital tasks including storing vitamins, producing cholesterol, and synthesizing fatty acids from sugars and amino acids. As a detoxifying organ, the liver dilutes toxic substances such as metabolic waste, pesticides, and alcohol, with less toxic substances before sending them to be excreted from the kidneys.

The fact that the liver is negatively impacted by toxins and alcohol is well recognized in our culture. In Chinese medicine, the early signs of liver problems are often referred to as ‘Liver Qi Stagnation’. Liver detoxification herbs are popular and are very effective. Some favorites include dandelion, yellow dock, and eclipta. There are also significant tonic-type natural herbs that can be taken for several months to strengthen the Liver Function such as he-shu-wu.
Rumex Crispus-Yellow dock root
A gentle, yet effective, cleansing herb, yellow dock reduces Liver Qi Stagnation and clears damp heat. It is especially useful with digestive disorders, clearing Large Intestine Qi stagnation and supports the proper flow of bile. In menstrual disorders, yellow dock builds blood and clears uterine blood stagnation.

Taraxacum officinalis-pu gong ying-Dandelion
One of the best herbs for detoxification clearing Liver Fire, reducing infections, and stimulating immune function. Dandelion is a primary diuretic, clearing dampness, draining lymph fluids and reducing edema.

Gentian longdancao-long dan cao
One of the most bitter herbs, gentian stimulates the flow of bile, drains damp heat from the Liver and clears Liver Fire and cleanses toxins from the Liver.

Cyperus rotundus-xian fu
A classic supportive herb in Chinese medicine, cyperi moves Qi in the body and spreads Liver Qi.

Prunella Vulgaris-xia ku cao-Heal All
'Heal all' is a versitile healing herb as its name would suggest. Prunella is a common weed that is used in Chinese medicine to Clear Liver Fire, reduces headaches, detoxifies and removes lymphatic blocks. Prunella clears heat from the Heart and controls high blood pressure.

Foeniculum vulgare-xiao hu xiang-Fennel Seed
Fennel is a versatile herb that spreads Liver Qi, harmonizes the stomach, relieves Large Intestine spasm & gas, supports Kidney Qi, warms the uterus, relieves coughs and boosts the immune system.

Paeonia lactiflora-bai shao-White peony
Bai shao herb moistens and soothes the Liver while building and purifying blood. Peony root is a famous and highly prized longevity herb. It is an eminent woman's herb used to regulate the hormonal cycle and stabilize emotions. White peony relieves cramps and spasms anywhere in the body.

Citris reticulate-qing pi- Green-Tangerine peel
An artful addition to formulas that regulates Qi especially Liver Qi, specifically guiding it downward making it especially helpful with acid reflux and nausea.

Bupleurum-chai hu
One of the top Liver herbs in Chinese medicine, it soothes Liver energy and relieves congestion when the Liver Qi is stagnated. This is especially important when one is easily frustrated or feels “stuck”. It is detoxifying and anti-microbial, Bupleurum alleviates stagnation anywhere in the body. Bupleurum is also used to relieve spasms, muscle tension and menstrual irregularity.

Paeonia suffruticosa-mu dan pi-Tree peony root bark
Cools blood heat, pacifies Liver Fire in cases of Liver Qi Stagnation, and invigorates the blood. Quells anger and emotional outbursts and cools fire from yin deficient patterns.

Ziziphi jujubae-da zao-Jujubae date
Used since ancient times as a nutritive tonic, a blood cleanser, and as an important adjunctive herb moderating the qualities of other herbs in formula insuring the smooth absorption of herbs. Tonifies the Spleen function.

Althaea officinalis-Marshmallow root
Reduces inflammation throughout the body and nourishes the Yin. Increases digestive absorption and heals all mucus membrane along the digestive tract, lungs and urinary tract.

Glycyrrhiza uralensis-gan cao-Chinese Licorice Root
Chinese Licorice root is one of the finest herbs known. Licorice root builds Spleen Qi and is an excellent digestive tonic and energy builder. It is a broad spectrum detoxifying agent that rids the body of toxins without any side-effects.

Large Intestine
This obvious route of elimination is well recognized and appreciated. While natural laxative herbs such as cascara sagrada and senna are widely available, it is more important that the large intestine is able to perform on its own. There are many herbs that heal the walls of the intestine such as aloe and marshmallow. Other herbs are vital in restoring the necessary ‘Large Intestine Qi’ so that the bowels have the energy necessary for peristalsis such as bitter orange. There are actually a multitude of strategies that can help restore proper bowel movements naturally. The Chinese often include oily herbs such as black sesame seed, and blood building herbs such as mulberry fruit, for dry bowel movements.

Skin
The skin is the largest organ involved with detoxification. Air conditioning is a recent phenomenon. Traditionally, people have had more opportunities to sweat. In our comfortable air conditioned cars, offices, and homes, it is unusual for us to perspire. One of the more efficient ways to eliminate toxins is through a good sweat. While a swift walk or hike would do the job, there are diaphoretic herbs that produce a good sweat also. These are most useful at the onset of a cold or flu; they would include catnip, elder, ginger, and lavender. It is worth noting that toxins play a big role in the pre-mature aging of the skin and can depredate the tenacity of the dermal layers.

Kidneys
The kidneys and bladder are also vital in the elimination of the toxins from the liver. While the proper function of the Kidney System can be maintained with tonic herbs such as rehmannia and he-shu-wu, there are also potent diuretic herbs that will stimulate the kidneys directly. These include dandelion, water plantain, and meadowsweet.

A well thought out natural herbal body detoxification program can be safe and beneficial. In many cultures ‘Spring Tonics’ were utilized as a once-per-year cleansing. In the last 50 years we have been exposed to man made toxins and synthetic pesticides that previous generations never had to cope with. It is now imperative that we utilize these natural herb remedies to realize our full health potential.

Traditional Chinese Medical Theory for Digestive Disorders

In traditional Chinese medical theory, the Spleen is the key organ involved in gastro-intestinal disorders. The Spleen has primary responsibility for "transforming" and "transporting" food essence in the body, including the excretion of waste material. The Spleen and Stomach are Yin/Yang partners, and each one can develop characteristic problems. The Spleen needs to be somewhat moist in order to function well, but if it becomes deficient in Chi, it will become overwhelmed by moisture, and a pathological condition of Dampness (or Damp Heat) can settle into the body. The Stomach, on the other hand, needs to be on the dry side to function well, and when its balance is upset, it can easily overheat, and a painful condition of Stomach Fire can develop. Other organs, especially the Liver, can also contribute to gastro-intestinal distress. The four most common patterns seen when gastro-intestinal problems are differentiated are as follows: Spleen Chi Deficiency, which is caused by chronic fatigue or chronic illness; Damp Heat Retention, which is caused by improper diet, environmental factors, or infections; Disharmony of Liver and Spleen, which is caused by emotional disturbance; and Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency, which is caused by chronic illness or aging. To treat these imbalances, Chinese medicine commonly uses acupuncture, herbal medicine, and moxibustion. When applied properly, these modalities balance Yin and Yang, harmonize Chi and Blood, nourish the organs, and eliminate Damp Heat.

Conditions which respond well to acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine include:

- gastrointestinal infections such as virus infections from rotavirus
- bacterial infections from salmonella, shigella or escherichia coli
- inflammatory diseases such as chronic gastritis, atrophic gastritis, chronic enteritis, and gastroenteritis
- peptic ulcers such as duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcer
- circulation problems in the gastrointestinal system such as gastrointestinal tract bleeding and intestinal cramps
- gastrointestinal tumors such as stomach cancer, tumors of the small intestine, or colon cancer
inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease and other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and short bowel syndrome.

Moxibustion for Gastrointestinal Conditions

Traditional Chinese medicine employs several healing techniques to treat patients, including acupuncture, herbal formulas, and moxibustion. Acupuncture and herbs are familiar to most people in this country, but moxibustion is less well known. Moxibustion is a therapeutic technique of applying an ignited cone or stick of mugwort or other medicinal herbs over the affected part of the body or on the acupuncture points. Moxibustion is often used to warm up cold conditions, or to tonify deficient conditions, but it is also an effective agent against certain types of inflammation, and can be used to treat most gastro-intestinal conditions.

Scientific Support

How do we explain these beneficial effects of Chinese medicine modalities in a modern clinical sense? How does it work from the viewpoint of biomedicine? Numerous modern studies, most of them conducted at China’s leading research and teaching institutes and in hospital settings, show that acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine can bring about bio-chemical changes.

The following are a few examples:

Excretory Rate of D-Xylose. The excretory rate of D-Xylose is an index of the absorption function of the intestines. Patients with chronic gastritis, chronic enteritis, or peptic ulcer tend to have a lower excretory rate of D-Xylose. A number of clinical studies in China show that acupuncture and moxibustion can increase the D-Xylose excretory rate significantly.

Serum Gastrin. Gastrin is a hormone in the digestive tract, secreted mainly by cells in the stomach in response to eating food. Gastrin causes the stomach to produce more acid and also stimulates contraction of muscles in the wall of the stomach, ileum, and colon. This contraction propels food through the digestive tract. A very recent study at the Affiliated Hospital of Sichuan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine found that moxibustion (moxa made with astraglus, codonopsis, etc.) at acupuncture points St 36, Ren 4, and Ren 12 can raise the serum gastrin level.

T-lymphocytes and their Subgroups. T-lymphocytes and their subgroups reflect the status of cells’ immune functions. Substantial evidence shows that Spleen Deficient patients have a lower immune function at the cellular level. Clinical studies in China show that acupuncture and moxibustion can increase T-lymphocytes and their subgroups in the blood.

Immunoglobulins. Many patients with gastro-intestinal disorders seem to have a lower-than-normal immune response. Immnuglobulins are proteins in the blood serum and tissue fluids that are produced by cells of the immune system. They help to destroy antigen-bearing microorganisms in the bloodstream and tissues. Extensive research shows that moxibustion adt acupuncture points St 36, Ren 12, and Ren 8 can increase the levels of Immnuglobulins Ig A, Ig G, Ig M, and thereby benefit a variety of health conditions such as chronic gastritis, antral gastritis, gastric ulcer, atrophic gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer, and gastroptosis (stomach has "dropped" from normal position).