Soaking your feet is an incredible way of relieving stress throughout your body. It should be part of every person’s daily routine because it gives you that 10 to 15 minutes of relaxation at the end of the day which so many people seem to deprive themselves of. There are many different ingredients that you can add to the water to make it more effective including baking soda, vinegar, washing-up liquid, essential oils, or just pure sea salt.

One of the main reasons why your feet can smell is because there is about a quarter million sweat glands on each foot and each foot can produce over a pint of sweat in one single day. The bad smell actually comes from bacteria poop. The bacteria consume the sweat and the bacteria waste has a very strong odor. So taking these 15 minutes at the end of the day to soak your feet contributes towards eliminating the bacteria poop and sparing everyone else from the nasty smell.

Returning back to the foot detox treatment, let’s look at some sort of definition. The basic premise behind foot detox is that by using techniques involving either soaking the feet or applying a specialist plaster to the soles of the feet, the toxins and heavy metals are drawn downwards into the feet, where they are extracted either into the water or into the foot pad.

Let me first say that there is no formal research which has been done on any foot detox therapy. Also, a large amount of money is spent on the marketing of these products. This is probably not a good sign. Again and again, any website that is selling detox foot patches or the detox foot bath is so full of testimonials and barely shows any information about how the product works.

One method of home foot detox is the foot detox spa. This is basically a foot bath with small electrodes which pass a minor electrical charge into the water. Again, the principle is that the toxins and heavy metals are drawn down through the body and out of the foot into the water. The adherents of this method for you proof that it is working by showing you that the water is gradually changing color. This type of discoloration in the water is not hard to achieve. It is said by some critics that there is a chemical reaction between the saltwater and electrodes.

Another method is the foot detox patch. There are many different companies that sell these patches. It also said that they are produced by only one or two factories yet the price range seems to be very wide. The basic idea is that you apply a patch to each of your feet before you go to sleep at night. While you sleep, the foot detox patch works by extracting toxins through the soles of your feet and into the patch. Again, the proof is purportedly in the fact that the patch has turned dark brown color. Maybe this is just cleaning your feet, which could be one of the reasons why the discoloration is gradually reduced with each subsequent use. And how easy is it to put an ingredient inside the foot pad which has a chemical reaction with sweat, causing the pad to turn brown.

I think that the placebo effect, or the sugar pill effect, has a lot to do with why some people feel that these things are working for them. And, many people feel that if it is doing you no harm then why not use them if it makes you feel better. I would tend to agree with this in general. Although, I wouldn’t agree that just because the manufacturers state that the product is natural that it is not doing you any harm. Tobacco is a natural product and has certainly been proven to do a lot of harm. One old advertisements for Pall Mall cigarettes stated “Pall Mall’s natural mildness is so good to your taste”. Another famous advertisement for Lucky strike cigarettes stated that “Every smoker breathes in some part of the smoke he or she draws out a cigarette. Think, then, how important it is to be certain that your cigarette smoke is pure and clean – to be sure you don’t inhale certain impurities!” How advertising standards have changed!

I think that the end of the day you are probably wasting your money on these things. If you really feel that you want to buy a soothing or helpful product for your feet then you should spend your money on just a normal run-of-the-mill footbath, maybe one with a vibrating action or a mini Jacuzzi. Or you could spend your money on some nice essential oils to add to your footbath that make your feet and your room smell nice.

Photo by davedehetre on flickr

This is one very positive step towards good health and a good lifestyle. It is very crucial to be clean inside also. The liver, the colon and the kidneys form very important parts of our body. They need utmost care and attention. Body cleanse and detox targets these organs and ensures perfect health and purification of the entire system. Detoxifying liver and kidneys is as important as removing metals from the body and that also comes under cleanse detox. These are very important to practice and one does feel the change after one to two treatments. The treatment leaves you relaxed and feeling a lot lighter than you do pre-operation.

Now that you know most of what cleanse detox is about, it is about time that you get treated and experience the pleasant effects that the detoxification program has on your health.

The first thing to do is determine your skin type. Different fruits, vegetables and herbs have different effects. Some have a drying effect on the skin while others moisturise and replenish the natural balance of moisture. Therefore, it is important to know your skin type. Most people have normal skin, while some have dry or oily. For people with normal skin types, certain natural cleansers will help keep their skin clear, glowing and safe from any breakouts.

One regime to use for normal skin types is as follows. Begin by cleansing your skin using rose water. You can use a cotton ball to apply the rose water to your whole body and cleanse it thoroughly. While taking a shower, use a mixture of your favourite oil with sugar or salt to scrub your whole body. This oil mixture also works well on the arms and legs and especially the back. Be sure to scrub your back properly because it tends to be the most neglected part usually. A body cleanser routine that follows the natural way is the best when it comes to a healthy skin all over your body.

As is obvious from the name, these are herbal treated patches that are meant to be worn on the feet. Different companies and technologies are being used in the creation of these patches. Japanese and Chinese herbal methods are the most popular patches available in the markets. According to those who develop, sell or promote these patches, the herbs in the patches draw out the toxins from the body through your feet. As ridiculous as it may sound, they have a whole scientific reasoning behind this process. There are some areas of the feet known as the reflexology points. These patches target those points and come into contact with the lymph system. This assists the herbs to reach into the organs and tissues that serve as cleansing managers in the human body. The lymph system, according to the foot patch advertisers, becomes active and begins the removal of toxins from the blood stream and out into the patches through the skin on the feet.

There have been a number of satisfied customers of foot patches but an equally large number of dissatisfied ones. Some people believe that because the FDA has not approved the use of these foot patches they are not safe to use. However, there are others who believe otherwise. Although some people attribute the number of happy people to the placebo effect, yet there are many who seem to have achieved definite positive results. Detox foot patches or diets, the choice is entirely up to you.

There are essentially three different kinds of detoxifying treatments that are classified according to the purpose: alcohol, drug and metabolic detoxifying programs. It is quite obvious from their names that each of these processes aims at the removal of certain elements associated with them. For alcohol addicts and drug dependent people, the detoxifying process includes the elimination of harmful materials in the body.

As a result of prolonged alcohol and drug use, the body’s natural balance of chemicals is affected and results in the various health issues that are commonly seen. The cleansing process aims to bring the body back to its natural state through different ways. It needs to be kept in mind that the detoxifying of the body does not stop alcoholism or drug addiction, it only serves as the beginning to a longer process. Similarly, the metabolic detoxification is meant to assist the organs of the body to regain their natural metabolism and perform in cleaning out waste.

A number of detox products are available for each of these processes. These can also be divided into two kinds. Medicinal or herbal products and diet products. Most cleansing regimes use both of them in a combination to ensure that the metabolic rate is returned to normal and the balance of chemicals is not harmed. However, it is important to note that detox programs for extended periods are not safe. It is advisable to consult a doctor to get an expert opinion about which kind of product would be suitable for you.

Because of the pressures from work, school and home, most people do not have the time to wait for the body to heal itself. People tend to do things which promote the destruction of the body’s cells and inhibit the way the body naturally works. For example, when a person gets sick, the individual would automatically reach for a drug in order to get well faster. This inhibits the natural cleansing cycle of the body to rid itself of toxins. Although the body has its own way of removing the toxins naturally, there are certain steps which people can do to help it along. One of these practices is known as fasting. Fasting is the act of abstaining from eating and drinking. It is important to note that when one fasts, the person is expected to feel worse before they can feel better. This is referred to as the Herxheimer Reaction.

The Herxheimer Reaction refers to temporary natural body detox methods which last for a few days to several weeks. While the body is detoxifying naturally, it is common for the individual to experience a series of symptoms such as a headache, muscle pains, sweating chills, nausea and a host of other symptoms. This is a good indication that the body is becoming healthier. This means that the various parasites, bacteria, viruses and fungus in the body are slowly being killed off.

With the Internet, it has become easier to discover how to have a healthier body. There are numerous sites online which post information on how to detox your body naturally. Some celebrities have also helped in promoting various detoxification methods such as the lemon diet, a natural liver detox program. This and other detoxification methods have already infiltrated the market and are a great place to start for people who have never tried a detox program before. There is a wide range of choices including supplements and diet regimens. One of the more popular is the natural detox diet course by Dr. Hull. It comprises of consuming organic foods that can be easily found in any supermarket such as fresh fruits and vegetables, beans and lentils, oats, fresh fish, honey, herbs and yogurt. With this type of diet, the individual is instructed to meditate and not do any strenuous activity. Regardless of the type of detox program, it is important to remember that should last for several days in order for the body to purge the toxins and ultimately reap the health benefits.

Internal cleansing basically works the same way as one would maintain a vehicle. Cleaning the internal organs helps in making it function more efficiently and last longer. As one ages, various parts of the body start to slow down. An internal body cleansing will help make the individual feel healthier for a longer amount of time. However, people need not wait until their 40s or when they have a serious ailment in order to start with a cleansing regimen. Cleansing can be started any time as soon as possible.

The Ayurvedic believe in what they refer to as the ama. This is what they call the substances that remain in the digestive system that does not get flushed away from the body like other waste. As more and more of this residue builds up in the system, it becomes toxic, upsetting the balance and hindering other waste from being purged. A number of disorders are possible if this issue is not addressed.

There are several symptoms to indicate that a person has ama build up and may require an internal cleanse quickly. One of the most obvious physical signs is a white coating in the person’s tongue in the morning. The person may also experience a feeling of being bloated or gassy after eating a major meal. Other symptoms are vaguer. There is the constant feeling of being tired and lethargic, poor concentration as well as consistently feeling constipated.

When undergoing an internal colon cleanse, it is important to avoid processed or junk foods. Avoid heavy meats, sugar laden foods and cheese, deep friend meals, caffeine, nicotine as well as alcohol. Fermented foods and those containing yeast should also be avoided as well. Cold and iced drinks hamper the digestion process so it is important to avoid those and drink hot liquids instead. Teas mixed with cumin, coriander, carum copticum and ajwain should be consumed to assist the digestion process. Warm water is also beneficial during the internal colon cleansing process. Consume lots of fresh produce and consume them quickly to get of their juices and nutrients.

Exercise and meditation are critical when cleansing. Enough sleep should be done in order for the body to recharge. Stress affects how the body functions which is why a person needs to relax at the end of the day. Compared to various detoxification products and machines available on the market, a simple change in the person’s lifestyle is cheaper and can work wonders in a person’s life.

An ion cleansing footbath system works through the process of electrolysis. Much like any other footbath machine, the feet are placed in the water for approximately 30 minutes. A solution of sea salt and water is poured onto the basin with a small current passed through. Over the next few minutes, the water will change from clear to a mix of colors ranging from yellow green to black. Each hue has a corresponding meaning. A yellow green result indicates that there are toxins in the kidney, urinary tract, bladder and private area. Orange means that that some poisons have accumulated in the joints.
Problems in the liver due to excessive tobacco smoking will result to a brown color. A darker green hue indicates a problem in the gallbladder. Red flecks signify the presence of blood clots. Black flecks mean that there are heavy metals in the system while white foam points to issues in the user’s lymphatic system.

As a detoxification system, the ion cleanse footbath is not only involved in indicating what the problems in the body are but also stimulating the various parts to removing the toxins by making them pass through the feet.

According to the manufacturers, when the product is attached to the feet of the ailing individual, the product absorbs the toxins away from the body through the feet. It is said to be a sign that the product is working. Foot detox pads work on the theory of osmosis. They work the same way as plant roots do. Basically, the roots transport the water from one point to another through its semi-permeable membrane. In a human person, the feet are the roots. The toxins are said to permeate through the feet. Through the use of a detox foot pad, the heat from each patch absorbs the toxins through the perspiration from the bottom of a person’s foot.

Detox pads or patches are also commonly referred to as cleansing detox foot pads or even sap sheets. The sheets are made from extracts taken from tree and bamboo plants. Generations of Japanese have used a similar technology to remove the toxins from their bodies. As detox pads, foot pads are said to relieve a host of common health problems such as headaches, joint pain, fatigue and skin rashes. The pads or patches are worn at the bottom of a person’s foot prior to sleeping. These are not removed until the morning. Once the person has woken up, the individual feels refreshed and healthier. Consumers will know when the product has done its work when the pads turn brown. In order to reap the benefits, the consumer must use the product for at least 30 days up to 1 year at most. With the start of the program, the patch will turn excessively dark with a bad odor attached. Over time, if the product is successful, the pad will eventually turn lighter.

A number of consumers are still wary about this new type of detoxification product. Although the technology has been passed down from several generations, a number of cheap copies have also infiltrated the market. There are numerous manufacturers which promote using deals and discounts. Consumers need to be careful in selecting which brand or product to use in order to be assured of quality.

One of the essential ingredients in foot pads is wood vinegar. Look for products with a powerful odor of wood vinegar. This ensures that the product is of high quality. There should be cloth backings on the item. Substandard products commonly have paper backing. The paper alternative is cheaper and easier to manufacture. In addition, this type of backing also tears off much quicker and will not be able to undergo the extensive wear and tear necessary.