As we sink into autumn, many people feel a natural urge to turn inward. The busyness of summer has calmed, and now we can prepare for winter. Just like spring, autumn is a time of transition.
In the autumn, we move from the heights to the depths. Cleansing and fasting are wonderful ways to mark this time of transition and prepare our bodies and minds for the colder months to come.
Historically, cleansing has been used as a healing remedy in many traditions. It can mark the transition of seasons, clear stagnant emotions and physical issues, re-establish a healthier relationship with food, detoxify the body and mind of excess wastes, and prepare for spiritual practice.
In particular, the cleansing ritual has been lost in the modern Western world.
The body naturally neutralizes, transforms, and eliminates toxins, but can only handle a specific amount of toxicity. Almost all Westerners who eat the standard American diet must detoxify and cleanse.
But the question is…
How to Cleanse?
The body always uses the gastrointestinal, urinary, respiratory, lymphatic and dermal systems to detox. When we cleanse, we trigger the body to ramp up those systems.
But remember – quicker cleansing is not always better. Slow cleansing might foster a more significant change. If you’ve never done a cleansing program, I suggest starting slowly with a shorter, less extreme cleanse.
Increase cleansing and alkaline foods and habits
Some foods are naturally more cleansing than others. Generally, vegetables and fruits are more cleansing than grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. Increasing your intake of fresh organic vegetables and eliminating harmful foods could be enough of a seasonal cleanse to bring you back into balance. This is especially true if you already have a reasonably healthy diet of organic whole foods.
Increasing alkalinity in the body can be achieved by eating more fruit, vegetables, and cereal grasses such as wheatgrass. You can also increase alkalinity by soaking grains, chewing thoroughly, reducing stress, and exercising.
Eliminate harmful, stagnating, and acid forming foods
The second step when initiating a cleansing program is to avoid stagnating, acidic and mucus-forming foods.
Acidity leads to inflammation, which can eventually lead to disease. Avoid processed food, sugar, intoxicants, and dairy products. You may also want to reduce or eliminate coffee and meat. Depending on your condition and personal sensitivities, there may be other foods to avoid, such as soy, gluten, and tropical fruit.
Cleanse for the season and your constitution
I generally suggest the Wild Rose cleanse, which is found at most health food stores. That cleanse provides a very structured way to begin cleansing.
Further modifications can be made depending on the season and your constitution.
If you often feel cold, or it’s fall or winter, incorporate more “warming” food like lightly steamed vegetables, broth soups, and warming herbs and spices.
If you often feel warm or hot, or it’s summer or spring, incorporate more “cooling” foods like raw vegetables and fruit, sprouts, and cereal grasses.
Adjust your cleanse depending on your health and goals
There are many cleanse programs that help with specific issues. The above suggestions are a great place to start and a tremendous regular program to rely on.
When integrating cleansing into your life, you may want to repeat the cleanse every season or more frequently. After cleaning out the body and establishing healthier everyday eating habits, moderate cleansing is all that is needed.
I hope you enjoy your cleanse. If you want to deepen your cleanse in a group, be sure to check out Calm and Renew.
