Cleanse Smarter - January 2nd, 2015

Today I am starting Renew Life's 30 day Cleanse Smart - Advanced Total-Body Internal Cleanse

A gluten-free vegan dietary supplement labeled as a deep comprehensive plane that eliminates waste & toxins while restoring digestive regularity.  A two part system claimed to provide deep-cleansing support for the 7 channels of elimination; liver, lungs, lymphatic system, kidneys, skin, blood, and lastly the bowel.  Using artichoke, beet leaf, bupleurum, celandine, dandelion root, milk thistle, and tumeric to cleanse the liver; mullein and red clover to cleanse the lungs, ashwagandha, LAG, red clover and chlorella to cleanse the lymphatic system; corn silk, artichoke, dandelion root and burdock to cleanse the kidneys; burdock. dandelion root and red clover to cleanse the skin; chlorella, hawthorn berrry, red clover, and burdock to cleanse the blood; and lastly burdock, beet leaf, dandelion root, celandine, cape aloe, rhubarb, slippery elm, marshmallow, fennel seed, ginger, triphala and magnesium to cleanse the bowel. 

I won this cleanse after conquering my biggest fear (karaoke: singing in public) at my work's Christmas party. Considering a cleanse for a few months it was the first thing I grabbed from the prize tote.  Working at a Co-operative grocery store is the bees knees!  Before consuming the cleanse I researched the herbs and minerals in the morning and evening formulas.  I referred to the book, Prescription for Nutritional Healing - Fifth Edition, we use at the Co-Op to direct us to the best solution when a customer is looking for a natural drug-free remedy.

Prescription for Nutritional Healing - Fifth Edition

Part 1 Section 11: Herbs - Herbs and Their Uses pg. 102

Ashwagandha Extract (Withanaia somnifera) an important Ayurvedic herb also known as Indian ginseng and winter cherry.
Actions and Uses: Rejuvenates and energizes the nervous system.  Helps prevent stress-related disorders and stress-related depletion of vitamin C and cortisol.  Increases physical endurance and improves sexual function.  Has anti-inflammatory and antiaging effects.  In labratory studies, has modulated and stimulated immune function.
Burdock Extract - root (Arctium lappa) also called bardana, beggars buttons, clotbur, goba, lappa and thorny burr.  All parts of the plant; seeds, plant and roots are used for medicinal reasons.

Acions and Uses: Acts as an antioxidant and may help to protect against cancer by helping to control cell mutation. Aids elimination of extra fluid, uric acid, and toxins.  Has antibacterial and antifungal properties.  Purifies the blood, restores the liver and gallbladder function and stimulates the digestive and immune system.  Helps skin disorders such as boils and carbuncles, and relieves gout and menopausal symptoms.  When used as a hair rinse it promotes scalp and hair health. Caution: It interferes with iron absorption when taken internally.  

Corn Silk (Zea mays) is the stigmas and styles of a female corn flower. 

Actions and Uses: Acts as a diuretic. Aids the bladder, kidney and small intestine.  Lessens the incidence of bed-wetting when taken several hours before bedtime.  Good for carpal tunnel syndrome, edema, obesity, premenstrual syndrome, and prostate disorders.  Used in combination with other 'kidney herbs' it opens the urinary tract and removes mucus from the urine.
Dandelion Extract - root (Taraxacum officinale) is a small flower native to temperate regions.  The flowers, leaves, roots and tops are all used for medicinal reasons. Leaves are often boiled and eaten like spinach.
Actions and Uses: Acts as a diuretic. Cleanses the blood and liver, and increases bile production.  Reduces serum cholesterol and uric acid levels.  Improves functioning of the kidneys, pancreas, spleen, and stomach. Relieves menopausal symptoms. Useful for abscesses, anemia, boils, breast tumors, cirrhosis of the liver, constipation, fluid retention, hepatitis, jaundice, and rheumatism.  Believed to also help prevent age spots and breast cancer.
Fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare) is a flowering plant species with yellow flowers and feathery leaves. All parts of the plant; seeds, fruit, roots, leaves and stems have many uses. Fennel seeds are a primary flavor component in Italian sausage. The powdered plant can also be used as a flea repellent.
Actions and Uses: Used as an appetite suppressant and as an eyewash.  Promotes functioning of the kidneys, liver, spleen, and clears the lungs.  Relieves abdominal pain, colon disorders, gas and gastrointestinal tract spasms.  Useful for acid stomach. Good after chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments.
Ginger root (Zingiber officinale) is a plant indigenous to Southern China consumed as a delicacy, medicine or spice.
Actions and Uses: Fights inflammation, cleanses the colon, reduces spasms and cramps, and stimulates circulation.  A strong antioxidant and effective antimicrobial agent for sores and wounds.  Protects the liver and stomach.  Useful for bowel disorders, circulatory problems, arthritis, fever, headache, hot flashes, indigestion, morning sickness, motion sickness, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting.
Hawthorn Extract -berry (Crataegus laevigata) is a large genus of shrubs and trees also known as thornapple, May-tree, or hawberry also native to temperate regions. The flowers, fruit and leaves are used for medicinal reasons.
Actions and Uses: Dilates the coronary blood vessels, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and restores heart muscle. Decreases fat deposit levels. Increases intracellular vitamin C levels. Useful for anemia, cardiovascular and circulatory disorders, high cholesterol, and lowered immunity.  Caution: Do not uses it taking medication for heart disease.
Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) is a perennial species indigenous to Africa. The flowers, leaves and roots are used for medicinal and ornamental reasons. Often used as a filler in the compounding of pills.
Actions and Uses: Aids the body in expelling excess fluid and mucus.  Soothes and heals skin, mucous membranes, and other tissues, externally and internally.  Good for bladder infection, digestive upsets, fluid retention, headache, intestinal disorders, kidney problems, sinusitis and sore throat.
Milk Thistle Extract- seed (Silybum marianum) also called Mary thistle or wild artichoke.  Because milk thistle has poor water solubility, it is not effective as a tea.  A concentrated capsule or extract form is best.
Actions and Uses: Protects the liver from toxins and pollutants by preventing free radical damage and stimulates the production of new liver cells.  Also protects the kidneys.  Good for gallbladder and adrenal disorders, inflammatory bowel disorders, psoriasis, weakend immune system and all liver disorders.  Has shown anticancer effects against prostate cancer and breast cancer.  Lastly it inhibits COX-2 formation.
Mullein Leaf (Verbascum thapsus) is a hairy biennal plant that grows small yellow flowers from a large rosette of leaves.
Actions and Uses: Acts as a laxative, painkiller, and sleep aid.  Taken internally, aids in getting rid of warts. Clears congestion.  Useful for asthma, bronchitis, difficulty breathing, earache, hay fever, and swollen glands.  Used in kidney formulas to soothe inflammation.

Red Clover - leaf and stem (Trifolium pratense) is an herbaceous short-lived perennial plant.  The flowers, leaves and stems are all used for medicinal reasons. 

Actions and Uses: Fights infection, suppressed appetite, and purifies blood.  Has expectorant, antispasmodic, and relaxing effects.  Relieves menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.  Good for bacterial infections, coughs bronchitis, inflamed lungs, inflammatory bowel disorders, kidney problems, liver disease, skin disorders, and a weakened immune system.
Rhubarb Root (Rheum rhabarbarum) is usually considered a vegetable however it is a herbaceous perennial that grows large triangular leaves and small flowers.
Actions and Uses: Fights infection and eliminates worms. Enhances gall bladder function and promotes healing of duodenal ulcers.  Good for constipation, malabsorption, and disorders of the colon, spleen and liver. Caution: should not be used during pregnancy.
Slippery Elm bark (Ulmus rubra) A species of elm native to eastern North America.  Also known as red elm, grey elm, soft elm, moose elm and Indian elm.
Actions and Uses: Soothes inflamed moucous membranes of the bowels, stomach, and urinary tract. Good for diarrhea and ulcers and for the treatment of colds, flus and sore throat. Beneficial for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulosis, diverticulitis and gastritis.
Tumeric Extract - root (Curcuma longa) is another herbaceous perennial plant often used as a seasoning and a main ingredient in curry powder.
Actions and Uses: Curcumin, the yellow pigment in turmeric, is the active ingredient.  Fights free radicals, protects the liver against toxins, inhibits platelet aggregation, aids circulation, lowers cholesterol levels, and improves blood vessel health.  Has antibiotic, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory (COX-2 enzyme) properties. Good for all arthritic conditions.  Also curcumin has been shown to stop the proliferation of rapidly dividing cancer cells.

Artichoke Extract, Beet Extract, Celandine leaf, Chlorella, LAG (larch arabinogalactan) and Triphala were the only ingredients not in the book. However, my research has supported the claims on the box.   

For the best results I will be increasing my daily intake of fiber and water.  Fiber helps to absorb toxins released in the intestines from the liver. I will also limit the intake of refined/cane sugars and dairy, refrain from consuming alcohol and continue to be smoke-free (my last puff of a cigarette was December 6th, 2014).  A perfect opportunity to begin the New Year as healthy as I can be.  

I polarize in order to question, stabilizing fearlessness.  I seal the output of intelligence with the lunar tone of challenge. I am guided by the power of elegance.