The transition into a new year is a time to reflect on our lives: our triumphs, mistakes, and daily habits. We adjust our priorities, set goals, and find ourselves looking to the future. For many of us, this includes our health, but no matter your New Year's resolution, a healthy body and clear mind is key to reaching your goals. Cleansing or detoxing your body is a great way to kick start your health and to begin your new year refreshed and rejuvenated. Read on to learn about some of our favorite herbs, supplements, and protocols for natural detoxing.

Cleansing & Detoxing Herbs

Dandelion

Dandelion, both root and leaves, are known for their diuretic properties. This herb helps your body get rid of excess water and fluids, and helps contribute to a healthy kidney and urinary system, both of which are essential for helping your body to flush out toxins. Dandelion is also celebrated for its power to assist the liver. By stimulating bile production and important enzymes, dandelion contributes to overall liver function and aids in the body's detoxification process. Dandelion can be taken as a tea, in capsules, or as an alcohol or glycerin extract.

Milk Thistle Seed

Milk thistle seeds have long been used as a supplement for natural liver support. This is due to their active compound, silymarin, which can assist in the regeneration of liver cells. Silymarin can also stimulate enzymes in the liver, assisting in the detoxification process, and promotes the production of bile. By keeping the liver healthy, milk thistle seeds contribute to the organ's ability to process toxins and cleanse the body. Milk thistle seeds can be taken in capsules, as an alcohol or glycerin extract, or made into tea.

Burdock Root

Burdock root is well-known as a "blood purifier" due to its ability to enhance production of blood cells and increase circulation. It also offers liver support by stimulating bile production, and its diuretic properties help remove toxins as excess fluid is expelled from the body. Burdock can also help with lymphatic drainage, and those who supplement with burdock often report clearer skin. Burdock can be taken as a tea, a tincture, or in capsules.

Red Clover

Like burdock root, red clover can improve circulation, helping to remove toxins from the blood. In addition, red clover can help enhance bile production, and can even stimulate the flow of lymphatic fluid, enhancing the lymph system's contribution to detoxification. As a mild diuretic, this herb can also indirectly support kidney health. These effects combine to provide a healthy boost to the body's natural cleansing process. Red clover can be taken in capsules or as a tea or tincture.

Nettle

In addition to its richness in vitamins and minerals, nettle has a gentle cleansing effect and is especially great for kidney health. As a diuretic, this herb helps to flush out excess water along with any lingering toxins. Supplementing with nettle can help prevent issues such as kidney stones, and it can even improve circulation, further promoting cleansing of the body. Nettle can be taken as a tea, in capsules, or as an extract. 

Cilantro

Cilantro leaf contains compounds that have the ability to bind to heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and cadmium, allowing the body to expel them from the body (a process called "chelation"). The high antioxidant content of cilantro helps support the health of the liver and kidneys, further contributing to detoxification, and its mild diuretic properties help flush out toxins. Cilantro is often used as a garnish or culinary ingredient and can be eaten raw as well as taken in capsules or a tincture.

Cascara Sagrada Bark

Known for its natural laxative properties, cascara sagrada is a great option if you are looking to cleanse and revitalize your bowels. When toxins are stuck in the digestive tract, they can be reabsorbed into the blood through the intestines. Cascara sagrada helps prevent this by promoting regular bowel movements. It is generally recommended to take cascara sagrada as needed and only for short periods. This herb can be taken in capsules or as a tea or extract.

Cleansing Formulas & Other Detoxing Supplements

Dr. Christopher's Blood Stream Formula

Dr. Christopher's Blood Stream combines the power of red clover blossoms with other cleansing herbs, offering synergistic support for the purity and quality of the bloodstream. This formula is available in capsule, extract, bulk powder, or bulk tea form.

Dr. Christopher's Liver & Gallbladder Formula

This customer favorite contains a synergistic blend of wild yam, cramp bark, fennel, ginger, catnip, and peppermint to support the digestive system and detox the liver and gallbladder. This formula is available in capsule, extract, bulk powder, or bulk tea form.

Dr. Christopher's Kidney Formula

The Kidney Formula was created as an herbal support for the urinary system, including the kidneys, and aids in filtering toxins and waste from the blood. This formula is available in capsule, extract, or bulk powder form.

Dr. Christopher's Heavy Mineral Bugleweed & Cilantro

Formulated to replenish minerals and support the liver, Dr. Christopher's Heavy Mineral Bugleweed is an excellent aid for the body's detoxification process.

Kid-E-Che

This formula for kids helps support chelation, aiding in the removal of heavy metals from the body.

Dr. Christopher's Lower Bowel Formula

One of the most popular Christopher formulas of all time, this blend of cascara sagrada, barberry, cayenne, ginger, lobelia, raspberry leaf, turkey rhubarb, fennel, and goldenseal supports the colon and encourages healthy bowel movements. This formula is available in capsule, extract, or bulk powder form.

Dr. Christopher's Quick Colon Formula (Part 1 & 2)

The Quick Colon formulas contain ingredients which support the natural detoxifying process of the colon, encouraging the elimination of waste. Often, Quick Colon Part 1 is enough to kickstart this process, but it can be followed with Quick Colon Part 2 for even more powerful results. 

Quick Colon Part 1 Directions:

As a dietary supplement, take 1 capsule per day or as directed by your healthcare professional.

Quick Colon Part 2 Directions:

As a dietary supplement, mix 1 teaspoon of powder with 4 to 6 ounces of fresh juice. After consumption, drink an additional 8 to 16 ounces of of water. Repeat 3 times per day until the bottle is empty, or as directed by your healthcare professional.

Dr. Christopher's VF Syrup

Dr. Christopher's VF Syrup was formulated as a natural tonic for the cleansing of parasites. Taken along with Dr. Christopher's Quick Colon Part 1, this formula is part of a popular protocol for those who are worried about unwanted organisms in the body.

Instructions:

As a dietary supplement, take 1 teaspoon each morning and night for 3 days. On the 4th day, take two Quick Colon Cleanse capsules. Rest 2 days and repeat this program 2 more times, or as directed by your healthcare professional. 

Nulife Herbs® Liver Colon Parasite Cleanse

This blend, featuring dandelion, burdock, red clover, black walnut, and more, was developed by a Master Herbalist and was formulated as a natural aid for general detoxification and cleansing of parasites from the colon.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal, due to its porous surface, has the ability to trap molecules on its surface. This allows it to bind to toxins such as heavy metals, drugs and alcohol, and even poisons, preventing them from being absorbed by the body, and facilitating their elimination. Activated charcoal can be mixed into food, taken as capsules, or even used topically.

Fisetin

Fisetin, a natural flavonoid found in many plants including fruits and vegetables, can help assist detoxification in a variety of ways. Its powerful antioxidants neutralize free radicals and help attack toxins at the cellular level. In addition, fisetin supports liver function by increasing the activity of enzymes within the organ. Fisetin can also aid in the detoxification of heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and cadmium.

Cleansing & Detoxing Protocols

3-Day Cleansing Program by Dr. Christopher

Dr. Christopher's Three-Day Cleansing Program and Mucusless Diet was developed as a starting point for improving one's health and addressing a variety of health concerns. The general procedure is as follows (adapted from herballegacy.com):

• First thing in the morning, drink 16 oz. of prune juice. 30 minutes later, drink 8 oz. of apple juice, then 8 oz. of distilled water. Repeat the apple juice and distilled water every 30 minutes throughout the day. (Typically, approximately one gallon of apple juice is consumed each day for an average sized adult, or one ounce per pound of body weight.)
• In addition, take one to two tablespoons of olive oil three times a day. If you experience constipation during these first three days, drink more prune juice or supplement with Dr. Christopher's Lower Bowel Formula.
• Repeat this process for three consecutive days, and on the fourth day, begin introducing different fruit and vegetable juices as well as raw fruits and vegetables. From this point forward, it is strongly recommended that the Mucusless Diet be followed as closely as possible. In general, the Mucusless Diet includes whole, live, raw foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, as well as a small amount of fresh fish or chicken. It strictly excludes salt, eggs, all refined sugars, red meat, milk products, flours, and flour products. To learn more about this diet, visit herballegacy.com or order the booklet for only $4.99 

Dr. Christopher's Extended Herbal Cleanse

For a more intense full-body cleanse, Dr. Christopher's Extended Herbal Cleanse protocol is an excellent option. Like the three-day cleanse, it is recommended that these formulas be used in conjunction with following the Mucusless Diet. This program lasts a total of six months and combines the power of several of Dr. Christopher's popular formulas, including the Lower Bowel Formula (capsules or tincture), the Blood Stream Formula (capsules or tincture), Liver & Gallbladder Formula (capsules or tincture), and the Kidney Formula (capsules or tincture).

All of the supplies needed, including instructions and the Mucusless Diet booklet, are available from Dr. Christopher's Herb Shop in our Herbal Cleansing Kit starting at $265.99

Candida & Leaky Gut Syndrome Protocol by Dr. Christopher

Dr. Christopher's famous Leaky Gut Syndrome Protocol is a great option for anyone looking to clear candida (yeast) from the digestive system. The Intestinal Sweep Formula clears the yeast and other toxins from the digestive tract, while the Soothing Digestion Formula helps calm and heal the inflamed intestinal lining. The Lower Bowel Formula promotes healthy bowel movements and elimination of waste, and probiotics and enzymes replenish the gut with healthy microorganisms.

If you are interested in trying this protocol, a Candida Kit can be purchased from Dr. Christopher's Herb Shop, which includes everything you need, including printed instructions.

Conclusion

We hope that this post has inspired you to take control of your own health this year. Though the protocols and products we went over in this article can be a great addition to your health routines, even a goal as simple as drinking more water or eating more fruits and vegetables can go a long way towards supporting your body in its natural detoxing process. When setting a resolution for 2025, there is no goal too small, especially when it comes to caring for your health, and we encourage you to set a goal that feels attainable for you. The steps you take to improve your health can be large or small, but all of them are important.

Happy New Year from all of us at Christopher's Herb Shop!