For the uninitiated, a good detox cleanse targets the harmful toxins that we all ingest sometimes from eating the wrong foods, or from being around other toxic substances like smoke and chemicals. Today’s world is full of toxins – there’s no avoiding them. And if we pile on processed foods that are full of preservatives and other scientific “miracles”, who knows what accumulates in our bodies. Over a span of years, the untold amount of toxins the human body stores in fat cells, in the colon, and in organs like the liver and kidneys can be downright scary.

All of those toxins stored by your body can naturally cause problems. Immunity problems and free radical molecular damage are just two of the life changing problems that may be traced, at least in part, to stored toxins in the body. Is a good detox cleanse starting to sound attractive?

If you have the feeling that your system is working sluggishly and could use a healthy detox cleanse, or that you’ve built up more than your share of impurities and need to flush your system, get yourself a good detox recipe and go to it. The best detox recipes tend to be safe and natural, stressing fresh chemical free foods. In fact, the simplest detox cleanse consists solely of water. If that is too spartan for you, there are plenty of detox ideas consisting of delicious nuts, fresh fruit (including decadent smoothies), raw vegetables, and whole grains like brown rice. And as you might have guessed, weight loss and reduced body fat can be just two of the side benefits.

The key to a good detox cleanse is to target and eliminate the impurities that have built up, through the use of good, healthy, healing foods and natural vitamins. Remember though, if you have (or suspect you may have) a medical condition that requires attention, you must seek professional help from a licensed practitioner. Strategies like colon detox recipes or bath detox recipes are a wonderful asset to your regimen, but are not a substitute for the necessary advice of your doctor. The advice offered here is not intended to substitute for that advice. If you arrived here looking for the other kind of detox, please see drug detox.

In that spirit, feel free to browse around for your perfect detox recipe!

Your bath detox can leave you feeling rejuvenated, reinvigorated, relaxed and ready to go. Spend at least thirty minutes and as much as an hour in one of these wonderful baths, and you’re virtually guaranteed to come out happier.

One of the oldest, most classic detox recipes for the bath is the epsom salt and baking soda bath. One cup of epsom salt, combined in the bath with two cups of baking soda will bring benefits you can feel. The minerals in these ingredients can do wonders to help the body’s detoxification process, and will leave your skin feeling smooth and silky. Add a few drops of a fragrant essential oil if desired,  and a spoonful of glycerin if you have dry skin.

Another bath detox that goes back centuries is the milk bath. You can do this one with a couple of cups of dry milk powder in the bath. Before you put it in, mix well with a cup of corn starch. Again, you can add essential oils as desired. Dried chamomile leaves can also make a wonderful addition to the milk bath.

Oatmeal baths are another great recipe, and one which has special benefits for the skin. If you enjoy a good body scrub, this is a great one to try. You can either mix a couple of cups of oatmeal in a blender until ground before adding the bath, or add three tablespoons of powdered oatmeal directly to the bath. Additions that are popular include blanched almonds mixed in to your ground oatmeal, or mild baby soap can be grated into the mixture. Any of these recipes can then be used in the bath to scrub the face and body. A fantastic detox.

Another great detox recipe is the ginger bath. Simply grate some fresh ginger until you have about a quarter cup, then put in some kind of cheesecloth, muslin bag or the like. You’re going to use this like a tea bag in your bath. Or, if you can find powdered ginger, you can simply throw a couple of tablespoons straight in the bath. Breath in deep. Enjoy!

Over time, impurities and fecal waste can become trapped in the colon, and potentially impair the natural functioning of this essential organ and requiring cleansing. Other reasons for a colon cleansing detox include the weight loss benefits it may bring, and according to many proponents, a general feeling of lightness and well being.

There are mechanical methods of cleansing the colon which have been popular over the years. The most invasive is of course hydrotherapy, or irrigation, in which a large amount of warm water is injected directly into the colon by a professional practitioner using special equipment. The home enema is a lesser version of this which does not go as deeply into the colon. Various substances including herbs can be added to the water as desired. However, many people have an obvious distaste for such invasive methods, especially when performed by a third party.

An alternative is the natural herbal colon cleanse. Herbal supplements and a specifically fiber-rich diet can be effective colon cleansers without the direct mechanical manipulation of irrigation or enemas. A good herbal colon cleanse can include ingredients like ginger, senna, aloe leaf or cayenne pepper, as well as fiber supplemental materials like psyllium husk or various seed.

These herbal colon cleanse ingredients can be found at any health food store, and increasingly at more general mainstream outlets, as natural herbal, organic cures and remedies become more popular. However, don’t be fooled: an herbal colon cleanse may be natural, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be strong. Be prepared for a possibly powerful laxative effect once the cleanse begins killing the harmful parasites and eliminating bad bacteria and toxins. You may not experience this laxative effect with your particular detox, but it’s certainly better to be prepared.

Take care of your body and it will take care of you; that applies to the colon too!